NC State has home opener against Jaguars

It's easy to see why then that Wolfpack players are so eager to face South Alabama on Saturday night in their first home game.

"It's a great feeling ... having someone actually backing us up instead of every time we get on the field, it's a boo or every time we get a first down, it's a boo," offensive guard Zach Allen said.

N.C. State (1-1) lost the opener against Tennessee in Atlanta's Georgia Dome in a turnover-filled performance. The Wolfpack rebounded last weekend at Connecticut, but the offense struggled in the 10-7 victory that represented the program's lowest point total in a win since 1999.

It was a slow start for a team that entered the year with hopes of contending for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, but the players said most of their goals are still reachable despite the slow start.

Returning to Carter-Finley Stadium could provide a boost for the Wolfpack. N.C. State plays three of the next four at home, starting with the Jaguars (1-1) and ending with ACC favorite Florida State on Oct. 6.

"Honestly we wanted to win them all and we're not able to do that," quarterback Mike Glennon said. "But we still have all of our conference games and we can still win the conference. ... We just have to learn from our mistakes and not let it happen again."

Glennon's slow start has been one of the biggest causes for concern. He threw four interceptions against the Volunteers, while the offense managed 258 total yards against the Huskies.

But coach Tom O'Brien pointed to several factors, from a lack of protection up front — Connecticut had six sacks last weekend — to issues with receivers' route-running and Glennon's decision-making.