N.C. State Fair — Technician 10/19/23 by Technician

TECHNICIAN OCTOBER 19, 2023

V O L. 1 0 4 | N O . 9

N.C. STATESEEFAIR PAGE 11

Contents

2 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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IN THIS ISSUE:

RED AND WHITE WEEK KICKOFF

page

Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, 10 a.m.

NC State alumna receives national award from the Society of Women Engineers

THE RADAR

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

STAFFORD COMMONS Free Celebrate the beginning of Red and White Week with games, free NC State merchandise, a photo booth and more.

Events to keep an eye on for the week of Oct. 19

OPENING NIGHT OF UNIVERSITY THEATRE’S “PETER AND THE STARCATCHER”

HARRIS FIELD Free Enjoy free food, games, therapy dogs and more while learning about the different areas of wellness.

FILM SCREENING: “THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN’T DIE” Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, 6-8 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, 7:30 p.m. FRANK THOMPSON HALL, TITMUS THEATRE $10-$27 Join University Theatre for the opening night of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a play following the adventures of a young orphan, his mates and a Starcatcher-in-training to a distant island.

NEWS

WELLNESS FEST

GREGG MUSEUM OF ART & DESIGN Free In the spirit of Halloween, join the Gregg Museum in a screening of “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die,” an American science fiction horror film directed by Joseph Green.

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sobering encounter on 06 Agame night

THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS

OPINION page

11 Ultimate guide to the N.C. State Fair

CULTURE

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NC State baseball sweeps doubleheader exhibition against Duke HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

Junior middle blocker Jada Allen and graduate setter Kristen McDaniel high-five in celebration of a scored point during the annual Pink Match against Virginia Tech at Reynolds Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. Allen had six kills and McDaniel had 21 assists. NC State beat Virginia Tech 3-0.

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Technician (USPS 455-050) is the largest student newspaper of NC State University and is published every Thursday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on the Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC, Copyright 2022 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.

COVER BY FLETCHER SHOLAR

News

TECHNICIAN 3 NC State alumna receives national award from the Society of Women Engineers

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

Sarah Hoffer Correspondent

The Society of Women Engineers recognized NC State graduate Meredith Biechele in September with a Rising Technical Contributor award for her achievements and impact on the engineering community and the society. Kelsey Carlson, John Deere SWE Awards Committee co-chair, said Biechele was an ideal candidate for the award. “The majority of the [Rising Technical Contributor award criteria] is all about technical achievements in their career, and the other part is on their leadership and opportunities that they’ve had for leadership,” Carlson said. “It doesn’t have to be necessarily technical; it could be any other STEM-related events. It could be things in the community. It could be any other involvement and things like that.” Since 2018, Biechele has worked as a research and development engineer for John Deere in Cary, North Carolina. In this position, she built one of the first fullyelectric riding lawn mowers and serves as a senior drone pilot for the Turf and Compact Division. “Something in my gut just tells me that I love solving problems and different challenges, so that’s what really drew me to engineering,” Biechele said. “As I got into it, I really learned to love the really tactical and hands-on approach to it. I just thought that was so fulfilling and rewarding to be able to look at something and be like ‘I did that’ or ‘I made that.’” Founded in 1950, SWE is a service organization that gives women engineers a voice and a distinguished place in the industry. SWE offers unique opportunities for members to network and advance their

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professional lives. “SWE Awards provide a platform to elevate and highlight career, academic and service achievements of engineers and technologists that advance the mission of SWE through inspiring others,” said Alexis McKittrick, president of SWE. Biechele is a graduate of NC State’s Honors program and recently received a certificate of Materials and System Design from

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She plans to return there to finish her graduate degree. Biechele is a member of the NC State Young Alumni Advisory Board, where she is involved in recruiting and mentoring young engineers and current students. “Learning what you don’t like is just as important as learning what you do like, so cast a wide net and be open to almost any-

thing,” Biechele said. “If you get accepted for an internship that might not necessarily be your specialty, go for it because it is all very temporary.” The SWE Conference will be held October 26-28 in Los Angeles. Look for more information about Biechele and this award in the WE23 Issue of the SWE Magazine, which will be released later this year.

Former NC State student Rep. Patrick McHenry selected for House speaker pro tempore position Matthew Burkhart Staff Writer

In a historic turn of events, North Carolina representative and former NC State student Patrick McHenry has assumed the role of speaker pro tempore following the Oct. 3 ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. McHenry’s role as speaker pro tempore is an interim position and will last until the House picks its permanent leader. For McHenry, known for his colorful bow ties, this position is the most prominent he has held in his ten terms in the House of Representatives. A Republican, McHenry represents North Carolina’s 10th

district, encompassing Hickory and Mooresville and is chair of the House Financial Services Committee. McHenry was a student at NC State before transferring to and graduating from Belmont Abbey College. Andrew Taylor, professor of political science, had McHenry as a student at NC State in his first year of teaching at the University 28 years ago. Taylor said McHenry’s new, unprecedented position was created to ensure a clear line of succession in case the speaker and his allies were to be vacated or harmed. Considering it’s a new role, Taylor said the extent of his power is unclear. “He was named the interim speaker because after the leg-

islation following 9/11, the sitting speaker had to have a list of replacements should the chair be vacated, and that’s of course what happened,” Taylor said. “McHenry was at the top of the list. He’s been known as a kind of McCarthy supporter, he sort of lobbied for the votes to get McCarthy elected … it’s not really clear what he can do beyond trying to get a permanent speaker elected.” Michael Struett, chair of political science at NC State, said he believes a factor in McHenry’s priority on McCarthy’s list

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News

4 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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Student starts non-profit, advocates for educational resources in El Salvador

Kate Denning News Editor

Jack Rothacker is a third-year studying business administration and Spanish, but his entrepreneurship endeavors extend far beyond the NC State community. Rothacker recently started Perseverancia, a nonprofit organization currently dedicated to raising $21,000 to fund further infrastructure and educational resources of the Juan Calvino School in Soyapango, El Salvador. “It all started in June,” Rothacker said. “I went on a mission trip with [Highland Presbyterian Church] in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I went for seven days to El Salvador, where I stayed with this church called Reformed Calvinist Church of El Salvador.” It was through this trip and a Spanish class Rothacker took at the University that he noticed a disparity between the resources available to South American countries and the United States. “The United States wastes so much money on McDonald’s and stupid stuff, and it’s like, why can’t we donate 20 bucks to help change a kid’s life?” Rothacker said. “[The people I met] work so much harder than us, and they have so much less. I mean, I get riled up about this stuff. It’s like we just don’t allocate our funds, and we have so many resources, and it’s almost about being grateful — but it’s also about giving back.” Rothacker said he was able to learn about the struggles affecting the Soyapango community during the trip. “The main issue in El Salvador right now is they have the highest incarceration rate, but that goes back to them having the highest murder rate [due to gang violence] in 2015,” Rothacker said. “[Schools] only kind of go through sixth grade. Kids will leave the school when it’s time for seventh grade. And it’s like, ‘Where are these kids going?’” With this in mind, Rothacker said Highland Presbyterian and its partner churches, and now his own organization, aim to help enhance the education infrastructure in El Salvador. “[The kids] were talking about, ‘I wanna be a biomedical engineer;’ ‘I wanna be a graphic designer,’” Rothacker said. “They have dreams, and they’re driven, and they’re so smart. But it’s like, ‘When are they gonna get that platform to do this?’ That’s almost what I want to be.” Rothacker said $16,000 of the goal is estimated to cover building materials for an additional classroom for the Juan Calvino School. The remaining $5,000 is dedicated to educational materials like projectors, whiteboards and laptops. Rothacker said Jada Wyatt, a fifth-year studying business administration, has been especially helpful in the development and success of the nonprofit. Wyatt said Rothacker is currently figuring out the statement he wants to make

COURTESY OF JACK ROTHACKER

through Perseverancia. “I would honestly say that his nonprofit itself is on a path currently of finding its own identity because it’s obviously very interwoven with [the Juan Calvino School],” Wyatt said. “But now that he has a more expansive view of what he could do for this community… I think he’s starting to look up and see that his mission is sort of separate from the school itself and more around uplifting the community.” Wyatt said it’s important for Rothacker to build and maintain relationships with those in the local community who would be benefiting from his fundraising efforts. “Especially coming from a place of privilege in general, if you’re not minding the experiences of people, you’ll disrespect their culture — and if you want to support them, the last thing you want to do is disrespect their culture,” Wyatt said. Rothacker said the American Marketing Association, Student Legal Services, the Latino fraternity Lambda Theta Phi and the student organization Students for Immigrant Rights and Equality have also been helpful assets throughout the process. So far, Rothacker has raised over $3,000 through a grant from his local church in Charlotte, a blood drive and vari-

ous individual donations. His next step in fundraising is a soccer tournament set to take place Oct. 21. “Anyone can sign up, but it’s mostly going to be fraternities,” Rothacker said. “There’s going to be one bracket of all fraternities, and there’s one Latin fraternity playing in it. And then there’s a general ticket, and that’s the one that’s gonna be open to the public.” To participate in the tournament, entry is $10 per player and $8 for a general ticket, which includes a food voucher, live music and viewing of the tournament. Rothacker aims to raise another $4,000 through the event. Ultimately, Rothacker said he wants to be a resource for the children he met in El Salvador by doing his part to give them opportunities to further their education through Perseverancia. “I want to be a resource, and I want to be an opportunity giver for the people that deserve it,” Rothacker said. Perseverancia’s soccer tournament will take place Oct. 21 at 2600 Stewardship Park. More information on Perseverancia can be found at http://www.perseverancia.org/index.html

News

TECHNICIAN 5 Campus Wi-Fi outages due to bug in system

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

Matthew Junkroski Correspondent

This semester, Wi-Fi outages have swept across campus, leaving students without a way to take online quizzes, access class resources or use their laptops. The Office of Information Technology found the Wi-Fi outages were due to a bug in the newly-upgraded system. Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Marc Hoit sent an email to students Sept. 21 that said OIT was looking into the issue. “In recent weeks, we have experienced recurring wireless outages that have impacted our daily activities and operations,” Hoit said in the email. “ ... The Office of Information Technology is in constant contact with its wireless vendor to identify the root cause.” However, Wi-Fi issues persisted. Some students began using hotspots from their mobile devices, which had drawbacks — particularly, draining a phone’s battery life. Marissa Fahy, a fourth-year studying English, said the outage was frustrating. “I would ask people every day, ‘Were you able to get on?’ And some people on the right side of my class would say, ‘Yes,’ left side [would] say, ‘No,’” Fahy said. “ ... And it was really frustrating because I have everything on my electronic devices because I have a visual disability. And so I couldn’t access certain things without using the hotspot on my phone, which takes up a lot of power and costs money after a certain amount of time.” Hoit said OIT found the issue was due to increased stress on a newly-upgraded Wi-Fi system. “An access point — the things with the antennas you see scattered all over campus — is the piece of equipment that connects to your cell phone that services the Wi-Fi,” Hoit said. “Turns out that those are all fully interconnected into a system so that we can balance. And the problem with Wi-Fi is that

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is his contentedness with his role in the party and his lack of ambition for the speakership role. “McHenry is a well-regarded officer within the Republican Party — he’s a serious player,” Struett said. “I suspect he was chosen in part because he doesn’t have ambitions to be speaker of the house. He’s somebody who had been talked about that role before, but basically declined the opportunity to pursue a leadership position in the caucus in the last couple of cycles, and he seems content.” McCarthy’s ousting was the first time a motion was made to vacate a speaker since 1910, and the first time such a motion was successful. Without a speaker, the House of Representatives cannot vote on legislation. Struett credits McCarthy’s historic ousting to the growing polarization within the Republican Party, which currently holds the majority in the House. “If you’re going to be a political party in the House of Representatives, the normal thing is you decide things internally,” Struett said. “As long as you can stay together, it means the Republican Party can dictate terms. But the fact of the matter is, the Republican Party is not all together; they have a range of different views of all kinds of issues, and frankly, they have some extremists who are mostly in it for their personal aggrandizement.” A band of eight Republican representatives, led by Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., voted to oust the speaker along with support

GRAPHIC BY VY HOANG

Wi-Fi has certain channels, and two next to each other can’t be on the same channel because the radio waves interfere with each other. So you have to balance them all.” An issue with the access points wasn’t caught quickly enough, so the Wi-Fi remained updated from the summer into the fall semester. “The software had been running for four months,” Hoit said. “Now that students came back, there was so much demand on the system, a bug in the system that nobody knew about was found out. It took us a while to say that, ‘We can’t fix this.’” Hoit said OIT worked to remedy the issue. “We went back to the previous version of the software, and we’re waiting for the defense,” Hoit said. “The team is diligent; they work 24/7. We have monitoring to look for it. This is the

from the Democratic Party. Republicans cited growing frustrations with McCarthy’s willingness to compromise with Democrats for his removal, particularly concerning a temporary federal spending bill to prevent a government shutdown Oct. 1. Two weeks after McCarthy’s ousting, the Republican Party has yet to decide on a nominee for the speakership role. House Republicans went as far as to nominate Rep. Steve Scalise after a secret-ballot election Oct. 11, but were unable to secure a majority vote of 217 to win on the House floor. The House is back where it began. Taylor said the Democrats are capitalizing on the inability of the Republican Party to elect a speaker. “‘Republicans can’t govern. They’re divided, they’re useless, put us in charge’ — that’s basically the message that they’re sending,” Taylor said. Struett said he believes while unlikely, it is possible a few moderate Republicans will break with their party and elect House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to the speakership position if the struggle is to continue up to the impending budget deadline. “The Democrats seem fairly united around choosing Hakeem Jeffries as their candidate and speaker, all you need is four or five, centrist Republicans, maybe six or seven or 20 would be safer [to elect Jeffries],” Struett said. “If they were to decide to work with the Democratic Party and create a sort of coalition government, there’s nothing to prevent that in the rules of the House.” As time draws closer to the next budget deadline, eyes are on former NC State student McHenry to facilitate functionality within the House.

first time this level of problem has ever happened.” Hoit said he suggests seeking direct Wi-Fi connections on campus if you can’t use a hotspot. “The alternative is to go to a campus machine that’s plugged in,” Hoit said. “That’s the best alternative. If your laptop has an Ethernet plug or a little dongle, carry the dongle around and go to one of the labs.” Since finding the bug, Hoit said this issue would be unlikely to happen again. “Don’t be fearful again,” Hoit said. “Because it was the anomaly that was the problem, not the other way around. … My team is going to be extra cautious because of that incident because that’s never happened before.”

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Opinion

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A sobering encounter on game night It’s 1:45 a.m. after the Louisville game. I walked out of Witherspoon Student Center on my way towards West Deck after a long day of filming. As I’m Isaac about to cross the street Hernandez at Cates Avenue and Dan Video Editor Allen Drive, I spot a vehicle coming about 50 feet away, giving me more than enough time to cross the street. I look down for a second as I cross, and when I look back up the car is about six feet away with no signs of stopping. At first, I thought the guy was trying to play some sort of sick joke by running me off the road. As I caught a glimpse of him, it was evident that this driver was intoxicated. Wearing Wolfpack colors and driving towards Western Boulevard, I also inferred that he, like many that night, was coming from the tailgate and football game. After the near miss, I looked around in

shock just to realize that I was completely alone. Even the campus police cruiser in the West Deck was empty; driverless. My thoughts began to race. I was alone, scared and worst of all I could have been seriously hurt. I got off the phone with NC State Police and wondered if this person’s partying was worth putting my life in danger. I wondered if this person’s idea of having a good time could have potentially ended up with one of us — or both of us — losing our lives. Although drinking is a common part of the fun at a tailgate and gameday, why do we still have to make sure students are responsible for their alcohol use at this stage? Is it a cultural issue? Is it a policy issue? Is it an issue of age? Tailgating is all about eating, drinking and having a good time with your frat, housemates, friend group, classmates and so on. Essentially, a fan base gathered in anticipation of a football game. Most people

are already inclined to drink, so why isn’t designated driving prioritized? Beyond designated driving, why isn’t basic safety prioritized? Who was at the game with this individual, and who gave them permission to drive? My problem is not only did this person become extremely inebriated, but there might and should have been a great number of factors that would have prevented him from driving. Granted, it was a tough loss against Louisville, but is a tough loss at Carter-Finley a valid reason to drink yourself blind? Understandable? Maybe. Valid? No. And it’s even worse when one gets behind the wheel, putting their life and the lives of others in danger. So what am I supposed to do? Sit back and pretend that everything is okay? Or how about I say: “Oh, boys will be boys! It was a tough loss after all.” The last time I saw an anti-drinking-and-driving commercial was

probably in 2009. Driving intoxicated is out of date and foolish. Not just because I was almost a victim, but also because both of us had people waiting for us to return home. As I walked back, I couldn’t help but think that I have parents, siblings, cousins and even two nephews who are waiting for me to graduate and come back home in one piece. And the thing is, so does he — he has loved ones, whether back home or in his friend group. The act of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is an act of selfishness and should not be tolerated, especially here at NC State. We are all intelligent members of a university community, we are here for a purpose and we’re all capable of doing great things. If you’re struggling with addiction, NC State has many resources to help — don’t take them for granted. You are loved and you can get better.

There’s more to pronouns than perceiving gender I don’t always like introducing myself with pronouns. It seems counterintuitive, I know. But sometimes I feel a bit odd telling a room full of people how I’d like to be Will LaMarche referred to. Not because I’m against the practice, Staff Writer but because it feels like a very revealing statement. I still do it because I know it’s not just about me. It’s about giving everyone else in the room a means of referencing me and making those who have questioned their gender more comfortable. But it leaves me to wonder, what exactly do pronouns represent? Robin Dodsworth, a professor of linguistics here at NC State, said there’s a lot of reasons why someone may choose to introduce themselves with pronouns. “That’s probably because they don’t want to be misgendered, or they want to support other people who state their pronouns and they want to normalize that practice,” Dodsworth said. In this way, expressing pronouns can be a means of asking to be referred to in a pre-

ferred way, not completely dissimilar to how I go by Will, despite my government name being William. In a similar vein, Haley Kinsler, a graduate student studying linguistics, said that language is a tool for self-expression. “There are cisgender people who can choose to use they/them pronouns, and likewise, a trans person might not use the pronouns that you would expect them to based on their gender expression or identity,” Kinsler said. “You can use pronouns that don’t necessarily align with what people would expect you to use; I think that’s a route, like a site for play.” Maybe pronouns don’t appeal to you in this way. While I can certainly understand how this may be helpful for someone, I don’t always want to disclose my gender. “But, you know, wouldn’t it be great if we lived in a situation where somehow stating your gender was not even necessary,” Dodsworth said. “That’s one thing, moving beyond gender as a set of categories.” For clarity, this is not — in any way or form — dismissing the practice of sharing pronouns. Rather, I’m saying the practice only works when we do it because we want to.

While I identify as a man and have never had the experience of questioning my gender, I would much rather be perceived as just some guy. It doesn’t feel essential for me to be called or thought of as a man in the minds of everyone I meet. Frankly, I hope most people I meet don’t think of me that often anyways, but if they do, I’d rather be a dude or a guy, not necessarily a man. Kinsler said by normalizing the practice of pronouns, people begin to reconsider things more and more. “It kind of brings it to the forefront of people’s minds that pronouns aren’t this natural thing that we should just assume about everybody by looking at them,” Kinsler said. “It’s something that we can ask for. It’s something we can share with each other.” When pronouns become something we offer to people, it becomes another avenue to build understanding and connect with people. When we refer to people the way they want to be referred to and allow that for ourselves, we create connection and a sense of belonging. And the more we do it, the more it will change and grow. Historically speaking, this would be entirely expected. Pronoun

change on a wide scale has been happening for a long time. “Even if you just go back as far as Shakespeare, you see that pronouns are different, especially like second-person pronouns are different,” Dodsworth said. “And if you go back further than that, you find out it just gets more and more and more and more and more different, you know, the further back you go.” Dodsworth expects pronoun usage to keep shifting. “I think that pronouns and other aspects of language are going to just keep changing, not exactly to keep up with the way we think about gender, but to reflect, in some way, societal change,” Dodsworth said. It should not be so impossible to imagine that change is inevitable and that we might want to steer the ship towards being more accepting and less presumptuous about each other. I don’t want to be seen as being gendered, despite feeling like I do have a gender, but I also don’t want to explain that to everyone I meet. But if I participate in a practice that makes more people feel comfortable, I know it’ll grow and become something more encompassing.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

From an Austrian exchange student: Public transportation — ever heard of it?

One of the first questions my international exchange student advisor asked when I informed them about my decision to study in the United Rebecca States puzzled me: Am I Schaden planning on buying or Correspondent renting a car for the semester? In my hometown of Vienna, Austria, it is very uncommon for people to own a car. Parking spaces are very limited and costly, and the public transport system is phenomenal. It wasn’t until I arrived at NC State and lived here for several weeks that I realized how different Raleigh and Vienna are in terms of public transportation. Erik Rodriguez, a fourth year studying business at NC State who studied abroad in Vienna, shared his experiences with the public transportation system there. “In Vienna, you have the tram lines, you have buses and you have trains,” Rodriguez said. “They are, for the most part, very punctual, and there are a lot more stops within and outside of the city and even outside of the country.” It only takes about an hour to commute from the north to the south of Vienna using the city’s underground lines and buses,

whereas getting around in Raleigh can be a tedious, nearly impossible endeavor. The same is true for long distance travel. While the train is a good option if you want to go on a weekend trip from Vienna to Amsterdam, it’s certainly not the best choice if you want to travel from Raleigh to Chicago. Even though the distance between these American and European cities is almost identical, the duration of the trip is vastly different. A trip to Amsterdam from Vienna via train takes up to 15 hours whereas one from Raleigh to Chicago via train will take at least an entire day. “The Amtrak, which is the United States train line, is slow and it’s constantly delayed,” Rodriguez said. “And it’s not as comfortable as riding a lot of European lines throughout different countries.” Adit Chitale, a fourth-year studying economics, grew up in Raleigh’s suburbs and studied abroad in Prague. “It is impossible to get out of here without a car — you can’t walk anywhere,” Chitale said. “So, you basically have to own a car to live here.” Apparently, the city of Raleigh is lagging behind in terms of offering effective public, in-state and out-of-state transportation options. The big question is: Why? Connor Jones, transit manager of NC

One With Dirt

Avery Szakacs, Staff Cartoonist A third-year studying art and design

State’s Wolfline, said the Wolfline has recently faced challenges due to driver shortages. “When you have, for example, four buses on a route but you can’t staff one of the buses, there’s still the same amount of people who want to use the bus,” Jones said. “More people on three buses require them to stop more frequently to let people on, which results in delays.” Another reason Raleigh’s transit system doesn’t perform as well as other U.S. and European cities can be traced back to the rapid growth Raleigh has experienced in recent years. “Twenty years ago, Raleigh’s metro area was only a third of the size it is now,” Jones said. “With that rapid growth, infrastructure and transit systems need to catch up to the upcoming development.” Chitale and Rodriguez said they believe the layout of the city makes the establishment of public transportation more difficult in Raleigh than most cities in Europe. “It is definitely because of how widespread everyone lives,” Rodriguez said. “In Vienna and most other European cities, most people live within the city. And that city is very compact as opposed to here where most people live in the suburbs.” So, what can we do to implement effec-

tive and reliable public transportation in Raleigh? Andrea Epstein, community relations manager at the City of Raleigh Transportation Department, shared the department’s plans for improving the transit system. “Over the next ten years, we want to triple countywide bus service, increase the number of routes — so that buses are running every 15 minutes or less — and add bus rapid transit and commuter rail systems,” Epstein said. The transportation department further intends to establish a transit stop within half a mile of 50% of homes and 70% of jobs in Wake County. Having grown up in Vienna, I am used to going wherever I want to without thinking twice about how to get there. In Raleigh, I need to plan ahead a lot more. The differences in public transportation between Raleigh and my hometown are enormous and made me aware of how important a wellfunctioning public transportation system is. It is not just going to make our lives a lot easier, but will also reduce the usage of cars, which benefits the environment. That is a big step in the right direction — at the end of the day, we only have one planet, and we would be well-advised to treat it with care and respect.

Halloween Musician

GRAPHIC BY ELLIE BRUNO

Max Alsop, Staff Cartoonist A third-year studying anthropology and paleontology

Comics

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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Break Needed

Lucy Osborn, Staff Cartoonist A third-year studying art and design

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Don’t Miss Chancellor Woodson’s Live Red Chair Chat with NASA Astronaut Christina Koch

Our favorite week is here! Get ready to celebrate everything you love about NC State.

Monday, Oct. 23 1 p.m. Talley Student Union, Stewart Theatre The chancellor’s fall address is your chance to check in with Chancellor Randy Woodson for an update on the state of NC State and to hear about all the amazing things happening here. This year, join Chancellor Woodson for a live Red Chair Chat as he sits down with NASA astronaut and NC State alumna Christina Koch — our moon-bound, glass-ceiling-shattering superstar — who will become the first woman to travel around the moon and back as part of the Artemis II mission.

Monday, Oct. 23 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Red and White Week Kickoff Stafford Commons

Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

1 p.m. Chancellor’s Fall Address Live Red Chair Chat with NASA Astronaut Christina Koch Talley Student Union, Stewart Theatre

Tuesday, Oct. 24 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wellness Fest Harris Field

Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

5:30 p.m. How Quick Can You Brick? Scavenger Hunt Wolf Plaza

Celebrate Generosity on

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Three locations to choose from! Stafford Commons | The Corner at Centennial Campus Green Commons, CVM Main Administration Building

Wednesday, Oct. 25 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pack Appreciation Day Stafford Commons The Corner at Centennial Campus Green Commons, CVM Main Administration Building

Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

Thursday, Oct. 26 Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

7 p.m. NC SYNC: Lip Sync Competition Stafford Commons

Friday, Oct. 27 Noon Wear Red, Get Fed Stafford Commons

6 p.m. Red and White Week Pep Rally and Friday Night Floats North Hall Lot

Saturday, Oct. 28 TBD NC State vs. Clemson Carter-Finley Stadium

Show your #PackAppreciation for the thousands of donors who support our Wolfpack community! Our donors give generously to the scholarships, programs, facilities and experiences that shape your time at NC State. Share your gratitude for their support and for everything you love about NC State during Red and White Week. P.S. We’ll also have lots of great swag and snacks. See you there!

Check out the full calendar at redwhiteweek.ncsu.edu for even more Red and White Week festivities! Follow @NCState on social media, tag us and use #NCStateRedWhite for chances to win swag and be featured.

Culture

10 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

A movie guide for spooky season Campbell Depken Correspondent

Riya Kannan Correspondent

As the weather turns chillier, the leaves change color and Halloween gets closer, it’s the perfect time of the year to watch a good horror movie. From the spine-chilling to the less-than-scary, we’ve got you covered with five movie recommendations for this spooky season. First, what makes a good horror movie? Thomas Phillips, a senior lecturer in the English department and a professor for the University Honors Program, teaches the honors seminar “The Power of Horror: Horror Fiction and Film.” “It’s all about the atmosphere and immersiveness,” Phillips said. “In movies now we see so many jumpscares and so much gore — which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes the atmosphere isn’t developed enough for that. Without that [atmosphere], it’s really what we call terror, not horror. Terror diffuses quickly, but horror gets inside, lingers.” Regardless of what elements of horror are in a movie, there’s still room for creativity in a plethora of sub genres — including thrillers, slashers, classics and “so bad it’s good.” In Theaters: “Saw X” (2023)

7.1/10 IMDB Score 3.3/5 on Letterboxd

What better way to experience a horror movie than in the pitch dark of a theater? Xochilt Espinoza Jaen, a second-year studying microbiology with a minor in film studies and president of the Student Film Society, said the best way to watch a horror movie is on the big screen. “When it’s like a theater and kind of all dark because that adds to the atmosphere,” Espinoza Jaen said. “And if you have your favorite popcorn and your little treats and stuff, that really adds to it.” Released on Sept. 29, “Saw X” is the tenth installment in the popular “Saw” franchise. Set between “Saw” and “Saw II,” “Saw X” brings back familiar characters and boasts a fresh new collection of horrific traps,

portrayed in the film predominately with practical effects. Grab your popcorn and watch twisted justice be dealt on the big screen. Thriller: “The Thing” (1982)

8.2/10 IMDB Score 4.3/5 on Letterboxd

There’s no talking about horror movies without talking about thrillers. The two genres have a tendency to overlap, with both types of movies making for a good spooky watch. “Thrillers are about kind of creating more mystery in the audience and less so fear,

marks it as a must-watch. Slashers: “Scream” (1996)

7.4/10 IMDB Score 4/5 on Letterboxd

Six movies later, Ghostface is still as popular as ever — and for good reason. “Scream” redefined the idea of a slasher, subverting from the horror cliché it so easily could’ve been a victim of by poking fun at itself. “‘Scream’ is a metafilm: a film about film, horror about horror,” Phillips said. “It was inevitable that we would see this in the ‘90s. Slashers quickly became a popular subgenre

“Often, classics are just tropes, but unestablished and fresh,” Phillips said. “They’re grainy because of the filmstock, the pacing is good and they’re so immersive. They’re quite different from modern horror films, which are crisp in production but often not as immersive. You’re sometimes aware when you’re seeing a modern horror movie that you’re watching something that’s trying to be horror, but not with classics.” Classic films might not have the best production or viewing quality, but the horror factor is there, preserving and solidifying their place in horror movie rotations. Between the nightmare-inducing projectile vomiting scene and the creepiness that still appears to be emanating from the infamous stairs in Georgetown — (now appropriately named “The Exorcist Steps”), there’s arguably no horror movie as memorable as “The Exorcist.” “Possession is just timeless,” Phillips said. “It points to not just demons and spirits, but the idea that any human can be possessed by things like ideology.” So Bad it’s Good: “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)

7.4/10 IMDB Score 3.7/5 on Letterboxd

GRAPHIC BY AVERY SZAKACS AND ELLIE BRUNO

versus horror kind of tries to create more of a fear atmosphere,” Espinoza Jaen said. One of Espinoza Jaen’s recommendations was the 1982 movie, “The Thing.” The movie uses a tense atmosphere and practical effects, two of Espinoza Jaen’s must-haves to make a good horror movie. “Often with horror movies especially, they do computerized effects, or CGI,” Espinoza Jaen said. “It really distracts you from the main focus of the movie because you’re like, ‘Wow, I can tell it’s fake.’” “The Thing” follows a team of researchers in the Arctic as they are trapped in isolation with something that can imitate living things, including each of the men on the station. With a plot filled with suspense and suspicion, the movie’s combination of disturbing practical effects and skillfully crafted plot

— some were good, many mediocre, just trying to play to expectations. ‘Scream’ is aware of the formula, though. It’s aware of the tropes it plays to and it entertains.” The typical slasher incorporates the classic horror elements of tension and violence, but takes the genre to the next level in terms of gore. Regardless of whether or not there are “Scream”-esque elements such as humor and irony, there’s sure to be a pileup of bodies by the end. Classics: “The Exorcist” (1973)

8.1/10 IMDB Score 4/5 on Letterboxd

There are numerous definitions of “classic” horror, but Phillips said one constant appears to be the idea of richness.

Today, some consider the film that debuted Freddy Krueger to be a perfect film while others regard it as a joke. Directed by “Scream”’s Wes Craven, many elements of the 1996 slasher can be seen in this film as well, from the violence to the humor. However, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” rang differently with audiences than “Scream” did. “It’s a very jokey film yet very effective as a horror,” Phillips said. “It took risks and was transgressive at the time.” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” inspired a wave of similar films, most of which were far less innovative, emphasizing the creativity of this “so bad it’s good” flick.

Terror diffuses quickly, but horror gets inside, lingers.

TECHNICIAN 11

Culture TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

Ultimate guide to the N.C. State Fair Emilia Rivadeneira Culture Editor

From afar, you can see the sparkle of the ferris wheel’s lights, creating a colorful glow in the night. As you draw near, amidst the crowds of people filled with excitement, the sound of laughter and music fills the air. Once inside, the delightful scent of funnel cake and fried food finally gives it away — the North Carolina State Fair is here. From enjoying live music at the Waterfall stage to experiencing milking a cow at the Agriculture Supply Exposition Center or watching a goat show and admiring the arts and crafts at the Village of Yesteryear, the State Fair has made its return to Raleigh with plenty of attractions and new activities. With so much to see and do, navigating the State Fair can be challenging and overwhelming. Here’s the ultimate guide to the N.C. State Fair with must-see attractions and a ranking of the amusement rides. Village of Yesteryear The Village of Yesteryear is one of the State Fair’s oldest and most popular attractions, featuring artisans displaying their handmade crafts. The purpose of the exhibit is to educate the public on traditional crafts. “We’re here to educate people,” said Sonny Gibson, an ornamental woodturner who has been part of the State Fair’s Village of Yesteryear for six years. “That’s what this is all about, is education for the public, and we explain our work as best that we can in this environment.” By presenting their handmade crafts, the artists are preserving art from the past for future generations. “Our sole purpose for being here is so that people can see … how people used to create things for themselves because they didn’t have a Walmart down the street,” said Lena Ennis, who has been part of the State Fair’s Village of Yesteryear for 19 years. Agriculture From purchasing local products and watching cooking demonstrations at the Got to Be NC Pavilion’s exhibit to milking a cow at the Animal Science Club at NC State’s “Milk Booth” at the Agriculture Supply Exposition Center, agriculture is a very prominent theme of the State Fair. Sam Brake, program specialist for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, said besides the fun and games, the State Fair is about educating people on the value of agriculture by showcasing agrarian goods and livestock. “Here [at the exhibit] we just have on display some of the typical farm animals [and plants] that we grow here in North Carolina and some that are not so typical,”

Brake said. Both the State Fair Ark and Got to Be NC Pavilion’s promotes agriculture, with the ark featuring diverse production of livestock on display and the Pavilion offering a wide variety of products from agrarian vendors. Emily McNeill, NC State alum, said it’s important to incorporate agriculture into the State Fair. “The N.C. State Fair, I feel like, it’s representing the state as a whole and the state has a lot to offer,” McNeill said. “I think a lot of people don’t know about agriculture, the history behind it and how it works, so I think it’s awesome that different businesses and people can really showcase what they do.” Rides

Although education has always been a huge part of the N.C. State Fair, let’s not forget about the rides and games that will be making a comeback to the fair this year. From the must-try amusement rides to the ones that have become a little overrated — here’s my ranking. First place — Cliff Hanger If you wanted to fly as a kid, this is the ride for you. Meant to simulate hang gliding, the Cliff Hanger will literally lift you into the air at high speed, taking you on a fun aerial adventure. Second place — Zero Gravity In this ride you’re basically just spinning at high speed. Although the explanation might sound kind of average, this is a trust and try it yourself situation. The best time to go is at night, as the bright colorful lights of the ride makes the spinning a more fun and enjoyable experience. Third place — Ferris Wheel Although being a fair classic and providing great views of the surrounding area, the ferris wheel has become a little overrated. For this reason, it lands at number three on our ranking. If you’re thinking of going, however, there are four ferris wheels to choose from — the Catawba Two Kings Casino SkyGazer being the biggest one of all. FLETCHER SHOLAR/TECHNICIAN

(From top down) Zero Gravity spins at the North Carolina State Fair on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Zero Gravity is one of many rides for thrillseekers to ride.

The rides light the scene at the North Carolina State Fair on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Rides are a fan favorite of the many things to do at the North Carolina State Fair. Fairgoers watch in anticipation under the F5 at the North Carolina State Fair on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. The F5 is one of many thrill rides at the NC State Fair.

JEREMY BYRNE /TECHNICIAN

A ferris wheel spins and changes color at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. The fair was held from Oct. 12-22 in 2023.

Sports

12 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

NC State baseball sweeps doubleheader exhibition against Duke Noah Teague

Assistant Sports Editor

Kai Hale

Correspondent

NC State baseball notched two high fashion wins over the Duke Blue Devils in a fall exhibition at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Friday, Oct. 13. The first game was nine innings long and ended in a 10-3 Wolfpack victory while the second game was only seven innings and ended in a 5-1 win for the Pack. “I think it’s great for two conference teams that are this close together to come out here,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “It gives you things that you need to work on and it gets some players out there.” The Pack9 squad entered the contest with exactly half of the team being fresh faces to the program, including six transfer athletes and 14 true freshmen. Despite the roster turnover, the team demonstrated good chemistry and meshed well together on the field. “I went to the Phillies game last night and to see the Phillies, with how they were so connected as a team and were able to beat a great Atlanta ball club,” Avent said. “It doesn’t matter what level you play — chemistry and players pulling together is a big deal in the sport of baseball.” While the roster has plenty of new faces, Avent remains the one constant in Raleigh. He is entering his 28th season as the Pack’s head coach and continues to build onto his already impressive Wolfpack tenure as the winningest coach in program history. “He’s a good guy, he’s got a lot of experience,” said graduate third baseman Alec Makarewicz. “I love hearing his wisdom every day and he’s got a lot of good lessons to learn from.” NC State was able to capitalize on lead-off doubles in both games. The Wolfpack collectively hit three lead-off doubles and scored the runner each time before the third out. The Wolfpack hit six doubles in between both matchups and graduate first baseman Garrett Pennington accounted for two of those doubles with one being a two-RBI double to start the scoring in game two. In addition to his excellent play on the field, Pennington has also taken up the role as a team leader. “Not only can [Pennington] play — he’s a good baseball player — but what he’s done is he’s given us good leadership… He’s been around college baseball and he’s big on chemistry and bringing the team together.” Throughout the evening the Pack9 prioritized getting its young guys opportunities to face an opposing team. Throughout both games seven true freshman pitchers took the mound. These true freshmen combined to face a total of 33 batters in both games and only gave up five hits while punching out six batters. “We got a lot of young pitching that not only seemed pretty good, but they seemed very poised for such a young age, “ Avent said. “They’re the most poised pitchers I remember in a long time since Carlos Rodón, maybe Jake Buchanan and Mike Rogers.” The Pack9 defense looked to have already made improve-

GRIFFIN BRYANT/TECHNICIAN

Graduate infielder Garrett Pennington celebrates making it to second base during the Wolfpack’s fall-ball game against the Duke Blue Devils at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. The Wolfpack beat the Blue Devils 10-3.

ments from last year. Friday night’s defensive highlights included diving catches by sophomore right fielder Andrew Shaffner and sophomore left fielder Josh Hogue. The infield looked smooth with junior shortstop Brandon Butterworth leading the group, going six for six on defensive opportunities in the opening game. “Brandon Butterworth, a transfer, was outstanding tonight defensively… Hogue, a new transfer coming in, had

a pretty good night,” Avent said. “It’s just fun watching these guys play and come together.” During the double-header, the red-and-white remained focused throughout all 16 innings. In both games the Pack was firmly in control and played complimentary baseball — a good sign for the upcoming 2024 season. The Pack9 will return to the field in February, hoping to build off of an NCAA tournament appearance last spring.

Ethan Bakogiannis Editor-in-Chief Record: 32-17

Jameson Wolf Editor-in-Chief Record: 24-25

Emily Vespa Managing Editor Record: 30-19

Jenna Cuniowski Sports Editor Record: 32-17

Erin Ferrare Asst. Sports Editor Record: 28-21

Noah Teague Asst. Sports Editor Record: 31-18

No. 7 Penn State at No. 3 Ohio State

No. 3 Ohio State

No. 7 Penn State

No. 3 Ohio State

No. 16 Duke at No. 4 Florida State

No. 4 Florida State

No. 3 Ohio State No. 4 Florida State

No. 7 Penn State No. 4 Florida State

No. 14 Utah at No. 18 USC

No. 14 Utah

No. 18 USC

No. 14 Utah

No. 17 Tennessee at No. 11 Alabama

No. 11 Alabama

No. 17 Tennessee

No. 11 Alabama

Clemson at Miami

Miami

Clemson

Washington State at No. 9 Oregon

No. 9 Oregon

Washington State

No. 9 Oregon

Pittsburgh at Wake Forest

Pittsburgh

Wake Forest

Pittsburgh

Sports

TECHNICIAN 13

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

Gritty, defensive battle against High Point ends in 0-0 draw for NC State men’s soccer

Noah Teague

Assistant Sports Editor

On a cold evening at Dail Soccer Stadium, NC State men’s soccer played a heated match against High Point that ended in a 0-0 draw. “There’s only been two teams that have beaten that team all year,” said head coach George Kiefer. “It was a good tuneup for the next couple matches we have coming because they like to get in behind you. We walk away with a point and keep moving forward.” The story of the night was defense, with neither team allowing a single goal. The Wolfpack (6-8-1) leaned on freshman goalkeeper Samuel Terranova in his second career start and first career shutout. The Fayetteville native posted an impressive clean sheet against a tough Panthers (7-2-4) squad. “I was excited,” Terranova said. “We did well to get the clean sheet, upset that we didn’t win but happy to get the clean sheet.” The first half of the defensive showdown began slowly for both sides. However, the Panthers threw the first punch, earning a corner kick at the eight-minute mark. Terranova made an excellent save off of the corner to keep High Point from building early momentum. The red-and-white had its own chances to seize an early lead, with two corner kicks shortly after High Point’s. However, an offsides call and penalty prevented the Wolfpack from capitalizing. With a lack of offensive success, the pressure was on both goalkeepers to protect their territory. As scoring opportunities continued to slip away, both sides upped their intensity. Sophomore midfielder Drew Lovelace slipped past the Panthers’ defense, but was stopped

by goalkeeper Josh Caron. High Point then went on the counter, but Terranova saved the Panthers’ shot from the corner of the goal. With a 0-0 deadlock through 45 minutes, the tale of the first half was strong defense and goalkeeping. “I thought [the defenders] blocked really well in situations where they needed to,” Terranova said. “We were solid overall as a back five and we’ve been getting better.” The second half played out very similar to the first — it was a gritty, defensive struggle through and through. Five minutes into the half, High Point found itself in a position to finally pounce on the Pack. Defending three consecutive corner kicks, NC State protected the clean sheet with its hounding defense, capped by another save from Terranova. “Sam showed good poise,” Kiefer said. “He hits the ball well. His distribution was good — they were throwing a lot at him. I’m really pleased with what Sam has done.” As the game progressed, it became clear that if either side scored just once, they’d likely walk away with the win. With just 10 minutes left, the Wolfpack skillfully used a counterattack to earn a corner kick. In one of its final chances to take the lead, the Pack failed to get the job done. However, instead of folding to the Panthers, NC State kept the pressure on and forced a tie. “I think the guys have done a really good job,” Kiefer said. “When you play Duke on Friday night on national television and then you come here [on] a Tuesday night, you have to bring the energy on your own.” Next up, the Wolfpack will hit the road this weekend to take on No. 22 Syracuse on Sunday, Oct. 22.

EMILY PEEDIN/TECHNICIAN

Freshman goalkeeper Samuel Terranova kicks the ball toward teammates in the match against High Point at Dail Soccer Field on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Terranova made four saves in his first home start. The match between NC State and High Point ended with a score of 0-0.

Kate Denning News Editor Record: 31-18

Koen Rodabaugh Focused Editor Record: 32-17

Joe Ovies OVIES + GIGLIO Record: 27-22

Joe Giglio OVIES + GIGLIO Record: 35-14

Cory Smith Pack Pride Record: 31-18

Ethan McDowell The Wolfpacker Record: 30-19

No. 3 Ohio State

No. 7 Penn State

No. 3 Ohio State

No. 7 Penn State

No. 4 Florida State

No. 16 Duke

No. 4 Florida State

No. 18 USC

No. 14 Utah

No. 18 USC

No. 11 Alabama

Miami

Clemson

No. 9 Oregon

Washington State

No. 9 Oregon

Wake Forest

Pittsburgh

Wake Forest

Pittsburgh

EMILY PEEDIN/TECHNICIAN

Senior forward Junior Nare (center) maintains control of the ball in the match against High Point at Dail Soccer Field on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. The match between the Wolfpack and the Panthers ended with a score of 0-0.

Sports

14 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

DUELING COLUMNS

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

Sputtering offense dooms 2023 NC State football season earning two rushing touchdowns against ACC competition. With the struggles in the passing game, NC State’s inability to run the ball has compounded issues for the offense. With the entire offense struggling, the Wolfpack offense has too many holes to fully fix midseason. Despite making a change at quarterback, the one card available to save an offense in-season, the Pack’s offense remains pedestrian. In ACC play, the Wolfpack is second to last in scoring offense and yardage, averaging 12.3 points and 275 yards. Unless the red-and-white shows significant offensive improvement out of its bye week, the 2023 season appears to be a lost cause.

Noah Teague

Assistant Sports Editor

Seven games into the 2023 season, NC State football is no longer a mystery. Over halfway through the season, it’s clear what this year’s Wolfpack is: a strong defense with a toothless offense. Fresh off of a threetouchdown loss to Duke, the red-and-white is fighting for bowl eligibility with no layups left on the schedule. Many fans are left wondering when things went wrong offensively for a team that won at least eight games in each of the last three seasons. The Wolfpack opened the year with graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong as the signal caller, a move that brought an intriguing upside before the season. However, the Armstrong experiment lasted just five games, in which he threw for 971 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. While Armstrong struggled as a quarterback, he is the Wolfpack’s best runner, with a teamhigh 281 rushing yards. After dropping a 13-10 loss to Louisville, the Wolfpack changed starting quarterbacks, opting for sophomore MJ Morris. While Morris has been a slight upgrade, he hasn’t jump-started the Wolfpack offense. With 458 passing yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions during his two starts, Morris has struggled to protect the football and posted a worse completion percentage than Armstrong. While the Pack has struggled at quarterback this season, some of the shortcomings can be attributed to the surrounding cast. Both Morris and Armstrong are doomed to struggle with NC State’s lack of playmakers. Freshman receiver Kevin Concepcion is a budding star for the Pack, with 37 receptions and 410 yards already. However, aside from the freshman, no receiver has proven to be a reliable option, leading to a revolving door at the position. When looking to find productive playmakers, experienced players are often the best bets. But the red-and-white’s veteran receivers have fallen flat this season. Senior wideout Keyon Lesane entered the year as a team captain and the top returning wideout. However, Lesane has failed to get going with just 108 yards through seven games and is struggling to get separation from defensive backs. Lesane has not been the only disappointment for the Pack. Junior receiver Porter Rooks — a former blue chip prospect — has not lived up to his potential, managing just 10 catches all season. For Rooks, the

GRIFFIN BRYANT/TECHNICIAN

Sophomore quarterback MJ Morris looks over at the sideline during the Wolfpack’s game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Blue Devils defeated the Wolfpack 24-3. GRIFFIN BRYANT/TECHNICIAN

Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson approaches the line to show blitz during the Wolfpack’s game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Blue Devils defeated the Wolfpack 24-3.

issue has been dropping passes, a theme that has plagued the entire receiving core. While not every highly rated high school prospect works out, missing on Rooks has been a significant blow for the Wolfpack. NC State also attempted to strengthen its receivers in the transfer portal this offseason, adding graduate receiver Bradley Rozner and redshirt sophomore receiver Dacari Collins. While Rozner produced at his previous school, Rice, he has not settled into a rhythm, failing to record more than 50 yards in an individual game. Meanwhile, Collins has been a nonfactor this year. The misses at receiver are arguably the most disappointing aspect of this offense. From dropped passes to lack of separation, the unit has not looked like an ACC-caliber receiving core. Without multiple serviceable receivers, both Armstrong and Morris are set up to fail. NC State’s receivers have not been the only offensive issue in Raleigh — the line play has also been subpar. The Wolfpack lost guard Chandler Zavala and center Grant Gibson last offseason, creating a void in the interior

of the offensive line. Unfortunately for the red-and-white, Zavala and Gibson’s replacements have struggled, turning one of last season’s strengths into a weakness. One of the biggest issues for the offensive line has been lack of discipline and penalties. The Pack is tied for second worst in the conference with 49 penalties this season. On the line, false starts have been a significant issue. In its latest performance, a game at Duke where the Blue Devils do not enjoy a major home field advantage, the offensive line committed four false starts in the first quarter alone. Simple mistakes like these are adding up and costing the offense. Additionally, the unit has failed to clear sufficient holes for the running backs. Against conference foes, the Wolfpack has only averaged 3.5 yards per carry — 11th in the conference. The Pack has especially struggled to run the ball into the endzone, only

Sports

TECHNICIAN 15

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

DUELING COLUMNS

It’s not time to panic about NC State football — yet

Ethan Bakogiannis Editor-in-Chief

Whether you were at home or were part of the horde of Wolfpack faithful that filled Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, you probably didn’t stick around for all 60 minutes of NC State football’s abysmal performance against then-No. 17 Duke. The Wolfpack suffered its worst loss of the season in the 24-3 rout. It scored the least amount of points in a game since 2014 due to a lack of offensive efficiency, and a few backbreaking plays let up on defense sealed the Pack’s fate against the Blue Devils. However, despite the red-and-white’s meltdown in Durham, let’s not hit the panic button on NC State football — not yet, at least. The biggest argument for not jumping ship is the high ceiling and dangerous potential the Wolfpack has shown at times this season. While it hasn’t been consistent, especially on offense, NC State has talented playmakers who make crucial and promising plays in every game this season that can encourage even the strongest doubters. The Pack’s 48-41 win over Marshall is a prime example of just how explosive NC State’s offense can be. In his first start of the season, sophomore quarterback MJ Morris threw for a career-high in passing yards and touchdowns against a Marshall defense who had been allowing a mere 20.5 points per game and 142.8 passing yards per game. Morris even overcame two early interceptions on his way to four touchdown passes, which is even more reason for optimism around Morris and the offense. However, leading his team to a 48-point beatdown against an undefeated defense was soon forgotten once the Pack’s dismal performance at Duke was sealed. Changes at quarterback are rarely a smooth transition for any team, and the Blue Devils preyed on a Morris-led offense that clearly still had some more growing pains to work through. Because of Morris’ play against Marshall, there’s reason to believe that the Pack can rebound after only scoring three points at Duke. Alongside Morris, freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion is one of the most exciting and promising players on NC State’s entire roster, lapping all other Wolfpack receivers with 410 yards and four receiving touchdowns on the season. More importantly, the freshman phenom has been a pivotal factor in the red-and-

GRIFFIN BRYANT/TECHNICIAN

Redshirt junior cornerback Shyheim Battle waves his arms to celebrate an incomplete pass during the Wolfpack’s game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Battle recorded an interception and two tackles. The Blue Devils defeated the Wolfpack 24-3.

white’s two most recent wins. Concepcion racked up six receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia and hauled in eight catches for 102 yards and two more scores against Marshall. Meanwhile, in the Pack’s two most recent losses, he’s recorded seven catches for 70 yards, with a majority of those numbers coming late in NC State’s duel with Duke. There’s a clear correlation between Concepcion’s production and NC State wins, so if Morris and offensive coordinator Robert Anae can put more of an emphasis on getting him the ball, there’s even more hope for the Pack’s chances in the coming weeks. In addition to Morris and Concepcion’s promise, cleaning up sloppy mistakes will automatically make NC State’s offense more potent. Eleven penalties for 87 yards, many

of which were committed by the offense, caused many drives to stall out before they even began. Already backed up with selfinflicted wounds, drops by NC State receivers only made life easier for the Blue Devils’ defense. If the offense is able to clean up its play, Morris lives up to his potential and Concepcion gets his hands on the ball more, NC State can hang with most teams in the ACC. After all, the Wolfpack was two blown defensive plays away from being in a onescore game with the Blue Devils come the second half. With all that being said, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: The red-andwhite has suffered two bad, if not inexcusable, losses in its past three games. It’s three strikes and you’re out, and after preventable

defeats at the hands of Louisville and Duke, one more loss along these lines will be the final nail in the coffin on the Pack’s 2023 season. In this case, the aforementioned reasons for optimism suggest that the Wolfpack can hit a home run, or at least get on base, instead of completely striking out. If the Pack’s vaunted defense and potentially great offense can come together and play complementary football, NC State has a shot to win every one of its games for the rest of the season. At the same time, there’s now little margin for error for head coach Dave Doeren and his team. If there’s another loss, you have my permission to push the panic button. For now, let’s just wait a couple more weeks before calling it quits on the Wolfpack.

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