Host N.C. State, No. Illinois clash after tough losses

Erstwhile Top 25 teams North Carolina State and Northern Illinois both aim to rebound from losses on Saturday when they meet in Raleigh, N.C.N.C. State (2-2) is coming off a crushing defeat in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener, falling 59-35 on the road to Clemson. It was the most points the Wolfpack had given up since Nov. 17, 2012, when they lost 62-48 to Clemson.Meanwhile, NIU (2-1) was ranked No. 23 — boosted by an upset win at Notre Dame in Week 2 — before losing 23-20 at home to Buffalo in overtime last week.The Wolfpack announced this week that pass rusher Red Hibbler — who led the team in sacks last season — is no longer on the roster. Further, starting left tackle Anthony Belton won’t start against NIU. Belton was ejected from the loss to Clemson for spitting on an opponent.”He put strain on our team and got ejected from the game for it. He’s learning a tough lesson,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “That’s not what we do. He’ll learn from that and he’ll grow from that. Choices have consequences.”What’s also up in the air for the Wolfpack is the status of quarterback Grayson McCall, who did not play against Clemson and exited N.C. State’s win over Louisiana Tech with an undisclosed injury. In his place, true freshman CJ Bailey completed 16 of 25 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown.

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