WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Philip Rivers looks to become North Carolina State's all-time leading passer on Saturday when the 11th-ranked Wolfpack open Atlantic Coast Conference play at Wake Forest.
The Heisman Trophy candidate began his senior year with a near flawless performance, completing 26-of-30 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 59-20 rout of Division I-AA Western Carolina.
Rivers' 86.7 percent completion percentage was a career high. He raised his career passing total to 9,312 yards, leaving him only 149 yards shy of Jamie Barnette's school record.
North Carolina State (1-0) spread the wealth against Western Carolina as 11 different players caught at least one pass, with Tramain Hall and Jerricho Cotchery accounting for 19 receptions.
Hall made his highly anticipated debut after going through eligibility problems upon enrolling at North Carolina State in January 2001. The multi-dimensional receiver had seven receptions for 97 yards and also returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown.
North Carolina State will try to avoid looking ahead to next week's showdown at second-ranked Ohio State.
The Wolfpack gave up 14 points and 174 yards in the first half against Western Carolina but responded in the second half, allowing just 61 yards.
Wake Forest (1-0), seeking a third straight winning season for the first time in 50 years, opened with an impressive road win, rallying for a 32-28 victory at Boston College.
Cory Randolph threw two touchdowns in the final seven minutes, including a 43-yarder to Chris Davis with under two minutes left, as the Demon Deacons rallied from a 21-12 deficit in the fourth quarter.
North Carolina State has won three straight against Wake Forest to take a 59-31-6 lead in the all-time series. Rivers passed for 223 yards and T.A. McLendon rushed for touchdowns in last year 32-13 victory over the Demon Deacons.
Two years ago, the Wolfpack posted a 17-14 win in their last visit to Wake Forest.
