What Is 1947 NC State Wolfpack football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1947 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 1947 college football season, finishing with a 4–4–1 record under head coach Beattie Feathers. They competed in the Southern Conference and played home games at Riddick Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Key Facts

The 1947 NC State Wolfpack football team had a final record of 4 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie (4–4–1).
Head coach Beattie Feathers was in his third season leading the team.
The team played its home games at Riddick Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.
They competed in the Southern Conference, not the ACC, which NC State joined in 1953.
The Wolfpack scored 121 total points during the season, averaging 13.4 points per game.

Overview

The 1947 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 1947 college football season. Competing in the Southern Conference, the team was led by head coach Beattie Feathers, who was in his third year at the helm. The Wolfpack finished the season with a modest 4–4–1 overall record, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance.

Playing their home games at Riddick Stadium in Raleigh, the team faced a mix of regional rivals and independent programs. Despite not securing a conference title, the 1947 season contributed to the development of NC State’s football identity in the post-war era. The season included notable matchups against teams like Duke, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Season Record: The Wolfpack ended the 1947 campaign with a 4–4–1 win-loss-tie record, indicating a balanced but unspectacular performance across nine games.
Head Coach: Beattie Feathers, a former NFL player, served as head coach from 1944 to 1953 and compiled a 39–47–5 record during his tenure at NC State.
Stadium: Riddick Stadium, located on NC State’s campus, was the team’s home field and had a capacity of approximately 20,000 spectators at the time.
Scoring Output: The team scored 121 total points during the season, averaging 13.4 points per game, which ranked them below the national leaders but competitive regionally.
Conference Affiliation: In 1947, NC State was still a member of the Southern Conference; the school did not join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) until 1953.

Season Schedule and Results

The 1947 season featured a challenging slate of opponents, including several in-state rivals and regional powers. Each game contributed to the team’s final 4–4–1 record, with key performances shaping the season’s narrative.

September 27, 1947: NC State opened the season with a 20–0 victory over Guilford College at Riddick Stadium, setting a positive tone early.
October 4, 1947: The Wolfpack lost 19–13 to Duke University, a strong Southern Conference opponent, in a closely contested matchup.
October 11, 1947: A 20–14 win over Wake Forest demonstrated resilience, as NC State held off a late Demon Deacons rally.
October 25, 1947: The team tied 7–7 with South Carolina, a result that reflected defensive struggles and missed scoring opportunities.
November 1, 1947: A 14–7 loss to rival North Carolina marked a disappointing outcome in the annual matchup, known as the ‘Battle for the Old North State.’
November 15, 1947: NC State defeated Richmond 20–0, showcasing defensive dominance in a home shutout victory.

Comparison at a Glance

Here is how the 1947 NC State Wolfpack compared to other Southern Conference teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Record (W-L-T)	Points For	Points Against	Conference Standing
NC State	4–4–1	121	117	Tied for 6th
Duke	5–4–1	142	118	Tied for 4th
North Carolina	5–4–1	135	108	Tied for 4th
South Carolina	3–6–1	98	112	Tied for 8th
Wake Forest	3–7–0	96	134	10th

The Wolfpack ranked in the middle of the Southern Conference pack, outscoring opponents by just four points overall. Their point differential of +4 highlighted a lack of offensive firepower compared to top teams. While not a dominant force, NC State remained competitive in most games, with only two losses by more than a touchdown.

Why It Matters

The 1947 season is a notable chapter in NC State football history, representing a transitional period before the formation of the ACC. It reflects the challenges of mid-tier programs in the post-war college football landscape.

The season helped lay the foundation for NC State’s future success in the 1950s and beyond, including eventual ACC championships.
Beattie Feathers’ leadership during this era shaped recruiting and program development at the university.
The use of Riddick Stadium emphasized the importance of on-campus venues in building team identity.
Competing in the Southern Conference kept NC State in regular contact with regional rivals, strengthening fan interest.
The 1947 season is documented in university archives and historical databases, preserving its legacy.
It serves as a benchmark for comparing the program’s growth over the decades, especially in offensive output and win totals.

While not a championship season, the 1947 Wolfpack campaign remains a factual milestone in the evolution of NC State athletics, illustrating both the challenges and progress of college football in the mid-20th century.