N.C. State Adjusts Schedule for Stanford Game
The N.C. State football operations staff is modifying practice routines to accommodate a late kickoff time in California.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Football
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N.C. State football staff are shifting daily practices to approximately 9:30 p.m. to prepare the team for a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff against Stanford. The logistical adjustment aims to help players adapt to the late-night game environment.
Why it matters
Operations staff, led by chief of staff Kevin Cristello, coordinate complex departmental logistics to ensure coaches and athletes face minimal distractions during travel and late-night games. These efforts allow the team to focus entirely on performance despite challenging scheduling.
The football team is preparing for a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff that will likely extend into 1:30 a.m. for the fourth quarter. This follows a logistical framework designed by the operations department to maintain routine despite the late-night timing.
The players
Kevin Cristello
Kevin Cristello serves as the N.C. State football chief of staff and manages departmental logistics.
Juliana Prezelski
Juliana Prezelski is a member of the N.C. State football operations staff responsible for logistical coordination.
CJ Schrimpf
CJ Schrimpf is an operations staff member for the N.C. State football team.
The details
The N.C. State football operations team, which includes Juliana Prezelski and CJ Schrimpf, utilizes detailed checklists to manage coordination. Staffers also conduct post-trip evaluations to refine their logistical planning for future travel and unconventional game times.
Timeline
Sept. 11, 2018: Coastal Carolina football program evacuated to N.C. State.
2008-2010: Kevin Cristello worked at Kentucky Christian.
October 2026: N.C. State travels to Stanford for a football game.
Season Trajectory
This logistical precision is a continuation of the standards set during the 2018 Coastal Carolina hurricane evacuation, which saw 300 people relocated for 10 days. The current operations strategy reflects how departments maintain stability during high-pressure or unusual travel schedules.
The late kickoff means fans watching from the East Coast can expect the game to reach its conclusion well into the early morning hours. This timing requires the team to maintain peak performance levels well past the standard game-day window.
The takeaway
Effective logistical planning serves as the backbone of a successful modern college football program. By managing travel and practice schedules with precision, staff members help players maintain consistency even when faced with irregular game times.
Further reading
For more on the team's preparation, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Durham Herald Sun.
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