NC State football's 2023 schedule released: Here's what you need to know

NC State football released its full schedule on Monday night, unveiling a winnable non-conference schedule and a favorable home slate.

Coming off an 8-5 overall record, a 4-4 mark in Atlantic Conference play and a 16-12 loss in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to Maryland, the Wolfpack will look a little different next year with key losses on both sides of the ball and a new offensive coordinator

Below is NC State’s full 2023 schedule and a breakdown of what’s to come:

NC State football 2023 schedule

*denotes conference game

• Sept. 2 at UConn

• Sept. 9 vs. Notre Dame

• Sept. 16 vs. VMI

• Sept. 22 at Virginia*

• Sept. 29 vs. Louisville*

• Oct. 7 vs. Marshall

• Oct. 14 at Duke*

• Oct. 28 vs. Clemson*

• Nov. 4 vs. Miami*

• Nov. 11 at Wake Forest*

• Nov. 18 at Virginia Tech*

• Nov. 25 vs. UNC*

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Home-opener against Notre Dame, Sam Hartman

Because Notre Dame previously released its 2023 schedule, we knew the Fighting Irish were headed to Raleigh on Sept. 9, but that doesn’t make this home opener any less exciting.

These teams have only met three times and only once at Carter-Finley Stadium. NC State holds a 2-1 record with wins in 2003 and 2016’s 10-3 victory that was played in a constant downpour amidst Hurricane Matthew. Notre Dame got revenge the next year, 35-14, in South Bend.

The Irish finished 9-4 last year and were 4-0 against ACC opponents. Former Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman transferred to Notre Dame during the offseason.

Brennan Armstrong vs. former team

Former quarterback Brennan Armstrong committed to NC State in January and reunited with former offensive coordinator Robert Anae.

Armstrong may be reunited with an angry Cavalier fan base on Sept. 22. The Wolfpack open ACC play at Virginia, and Armstrong could be the team’s starting quarterback, although MJ Morris and Ben Finley might have something to say about that.

Armstrong threw for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2021 under Anae. After Anae left for Syracuse last season, Armstrong's production dipped significantly, completing 54% of his passes with seven touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

Wake Forest rivalry continues, for now

The ACC announced its new football scheduling model last August, with each team facing three primary opponents every season starting in 2023. That did not include an NC State-Wake matchup that has taken place every year for over a century.

The Wolfpack will face Clemson, Duke and UNC as their three primary opponents while Wake Forest will face Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

But the rivalry game will be played for the 111^th time this season as the Wolfpack travel to Winston-Salem on Nov. 11.

Easy travel schedule for fans

NC State fans are known to make the long trips, but that won’t be necessary during conference play. The 2023 road games are at Virginia, Duke, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech, making these games driving-friendly for the Wolfpack faithful.

The longest road trip of the season is Week 1 in a rematch of last season’s 41-10 NC State win in Week 4 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football's 2023 schedule released: Here's what you need to know