Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl: N.C. State vs. UCF

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Matchup: N.C. State Wolfpack (7-5, ACC) vs. UCF Knights (9-3, AAC)

Site: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Fla.)

When: Dec. 26, 8 p.m. ET.

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TV: ESPN

Series: Split, 1-1.

Last meeting: N.C. State won, 28-21 (Sept. 11, 2010)

Coaches: Dave Doeren (N.C. State), George O'Leary (UCF)

Common opponents: South Florida (N.C. State: W 16-0; UCF: W 49-17)

Players to watch: N.C. State running back Shadrach Thornton rushed 44 times for 271 yards (6.1 YPC) and two touchdowns during the Wolfpack's last two games. UCF linebacker Terrence Plummer leads one of the nation's best defenses with 90 total tackles, four sacks and one interception.

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