Emeka Emezie Shines as Wolfpack Shock the World by Defeating #9 Clemson

RALEIGH NC – Wolfpack veteran WR Emeka Emezie certainly had himself an afternoon to remember as NC State shocked the world, defeating #9 Clemson 27-21 in double overtime. The upset victory was the Pack’s first against Clemson since 2011. Carter-Finley stadium was booming as 56,919 screaming fans cheered on their beloved Wolfpack. 

It was a fantastic site watching the student section storm the field after securing the stunning win. It came down to the final play, and a 23-yard touchdown from Devin Carter in OT became the eventual game-winning score.

Coach Dave Doeren was thrilled by the way his team performed and he can finally move on now after defeating Clemson for the first time during his stint with NC State. 

“The curse is broken NC State fans, finally. I have been here 9 years and have seen a lot of crazy stuff and people have talked about it but I got to tell you. I think it was real and we can move on now and be happy about that.”

In a contest that did not consist of many points at the start, Emezie was the clear offensive star. The 6 foot 3 senior came in with 14 catches and 186 yards on the season and nearly matched those statistics versus Clemson. Emezie finished the day with 14 receptions, 116 yards, and a touchdown.

The Pack saw themselves trailing 7-0 early after a 32-yard touchdown grab by Justyn Ross on a terrific throw by DJ Uiagalelei at around the 9-minute mark. However, the Pack offense responded at the end of the quarter, and it was Emezie who hauled in a beautiful catch in the corner of the endzone from Devin Leary for a 9-yard touchdown. The impressive drive went 10 plays for 54 yards in about 4 total minutes.

Emezie caught his 11th pass of the game on the Pack’s second scoring drive, which went for 17 yards, bringing his team within striking distance. His fellow WR Devin Carter scored 5 plays later on a 12-yard touchdown off a skinny post route as Leary placed it perfectly. The NC State signal-caller was efficient. He went 32 for 44 in the air with 238 yards and 4 touchdown passes.

In the early stages of the 4th quarter, the Tigers saw themselves trailing 14-7. Clemson put together an impressive 7 play 80-yard drive to tie it up. The damage came off a 37-yard run by Uiagalelei and was followed by a 5-yard touchdown by Will Shipley on the very next play.

After Christopher Dunn missed his third field goal as time expired in regulation, the game eventually went into OT. The two teams exchanged scores bringing it to 21-21, but the Pack eventually would win off the Carter touchdown. 

It was a magical Saturday for both Emezie and the Wolfpack in one of the program’s biggest upsets in recent memory. The Pack will be riding high and have made a massive statement to the rest of the ACC. They will remain in Raleigh next Saturday when they host LA Tech and attempt to stay undefeated at home.