By the Numbers: The History of NC State vs. Notre Dame

The roots between Notre Dame and NC State run deeper than just head-to-head matchups. Wolfpack athletic director Boo Corrigan graduated from Notre Dame in 1990. His father, Gene, served as the athletic director for the Fighting Irish from 1981 to 1987 and subsequently became the commissioner of the ACC.

The college connections don't stop with Corrigan. Doeren and Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash went to college at Drake University together. The pair came up through the coaching ranks with one another, sharing stops at their alma mater and at Wisconsin as assistants.

The Wolfpack and the Fighting Irish share history, as both were led by Lou Holtz at different times. Holtz led NC State from 1972 to 1975, before his incredibly successful tenure as Notre Dame's head coach from 1986 to 1996.

Signature Wins

One of the most important and notable moments of Doeren's career came against the Irish. Notre Dame traveled to Raleigh in 2016, as Hurricane Matthew ravaged the coastal areas of the state. Some of the torrential rains moved toward Carter-Finley Stadium, creating extremely adverse conditions for the game.

Doeren's Wolfpack survived in a 10-3 thriller in the pouring rain. Safety Dexter Wright scored the game's only touchdown, returning a blocked punt for a score. While Notre Dame was in the midst of a poor season, the win gave Doeren a major moment against a powerful opponent, something he lacked up to that point.

In the 2003 Gator Bowl, NC State and the 11th-ranked Irish faced off. It was the Wolfpack's winningest season in program history and head coach Chuck Amato capped things off in style in Jacksonville.

Amato's Wolfpack took down Notre Dame 28-6 behind a strong performance from legendary quarterback Philip Rivers. The future NFL star threw for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns, leading his team to victory over Tyrone Willingham's Irish.

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