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NC State Wolfpack news Saturday, November 14, 2026

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0:30

The 30-second version

CFBNC State hires Philip Rivers as head football coach on a five-year contract.
CFBNC State hosts Syracuse at noon ET today, and Popo Aguirre and Ronnie Royal are out.
CFBNC State names Philip Rivers head football coach, with an introductory press conference Monday.

5:00

The 5-minute version

Game day · Sat, Nov 14

12:00 PM ET

vs Syracuse

Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh · ACC Network

Record4–5

T-11th in the ACC · 2–4 in conference

Last L 3–41 vs Duke · Sat, Nov 7

No. 1 in the 30-second version

NC State hires Philip Rivers as head football coach on a five-year contract.

The NC State board of trustees finalized the contract, according to ESPN. Rivers starred in the NFL and was NC State's quarterback for four years, and CBS Sports says he aims to turn around his alma mater. A separate CBS Sports piece looks at how other former NFL stars have fared as college head coaches.

Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports

No. 3 in the 30-second version

NC State names Philip Rivers head football coach, with an introductory press conference Monday.

According to Backing The Pack, the deal is reportedly worth $3.25 million annually over five seasons. The press conference is set for 1:30 p.m. ET Monday and will air live on ACC Network. Rivers, a former NC State quarterback, said he was humbled to return to the school as head coach.

Source: Backing The Pack

No. 2 in the 30-second version

NC State hosts Syracuse at noon ET today, and Popo Aguirre and Ronnie Royal are out.

Backing The Pack reports that Will Wilson will not play, while Harvey Dyson, Jaren Sensabaugh and Rico Jackson are questionable and Keenan Jackson is probable. On Syracuse's side, starting guard Jayden Mann was hurt against Clemson and starting left tackle Trevion Mack is questionable. Linebacker Chris D'Appolonia leads the Orange with 62 tackles.

Source: Backing The Pack

ACC standings

Team	W	L	CONF
Miami	8	1	6-0
Wake Forest	8	1	5-1
SMU	7	2	5-2
Louisville	6	3	5-2
Duke	7	2	4-2
Clemson	6	3	4-2
Virginia Tech	6	3	3-3
Pittsburgh	6	4	3-4
Florida State	5	5	3-4
North Carolina	5	4	2-3
Stanford	4	5	2-4
Virginia	4	5	2-4
NC State	4	5	2-4
Boston College	4	5	2-4
California	3	6	2-4
Syracuse	4	5	2-5
Georgia Tech	2	7	1-5

Around college football

Colorado upsets No. 14 Houston 42-32, its first win over a top-15 team since 2007.

The Buffaloes trailed 20-7 in the second quarter, then scored four straight touchdowns on big plays by four different players and fans stormed the field at Folsom Field. Deion Sanders' job security was widely questioned before the win, and the Buffaloes improved to 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12. Colorado needs two more wins to become bowl eligible, and the win was its first over a top-15 opponent since 2007.

Sources: USA TODAY Sports · Roundtable Sports · Buffaloes Wire · Yahoo Sports

No. 4 UCLA holds off Illinois 22-14 on a rainy night to improve to 10-0.

Ty Dieffenbach left late in the second quarter with an injury and returned in the third quarter to lead the Bruins. Aidan Mizell caught six passes for 176 yards and a touchdown, and UCLA forced three takeaways, according to The Sporting Tribune. The Sporting Tribune said the 10-0 start is UCLA's first since 1998.

Sources: ESPN · The Sporting Tribune · UCLA Wire · Roundtable Sports

Ole Miss-Oklahoma game moves to Sunday after Ole Miss travel problems tied to Friday's FAA ground stop.

The SEC announced the game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 15, and the television network has not been determined. Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny objected strongly, saying Commissioner Greg Sankey told the school that failing to play on Sunday would result in a forfeit.

Sources: USA TODAY Sports · Roundtable Sports · ESPN · CBS Sports

Tennessee running back Daune Morris broke a leg in a car accident, reportedly ending his season.

ESPN reported Morris's injuries were non-life-threatening and the school announced the news. CBS Sports said Morris was second on the team in rushing, and Rocky Top Talk reported he had 66 carries for 434 yards and serves as the kick returner, a role that could go to Qua Moss.

Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports · Rocky Top Talk

Alabama visits Vanderbilt today at 12:45 PM ET, with Austin Mack expected to start at QB.

ESPN sources and CBS Sports both report Alabama will start Mack, with starter Keelon Russell (ankle) expected to be available if needed. CBS reports the move gives Russell another week to heal, and Alabama is 7-2 after a 31-13 win at No. 14 LSU. Vanderbilt is 4-5 and has lost four of its last five games.