NC State’s Leary dominates Charleston Southern on birthday

RALEIGH, NC — No. 18 ranked NC State Wolfpack redshirt junior Quarterback Devin Leary threw for 238 yards, scored four touchdowns and ran for two scores in a record-setting performance Saturday afternoon.

Leary tied Philip Rivers and Mike Glennon for single game touchdown responsibility in the 55-3 victory. He tied his career total entering the game, with both occurring last season.

The Wolfpack routed Charleston Southern in their home opener to improve to 2-0 on the season. Leary was able to exit during the third quarter following his sixth and final touchdown pass to wide receiver Christopher Toudle. The win marks 11 straight victories for the Wolfpack in Carter–Finley Stadium.

“I think everything starts with execution,” Leary told the media after the victory. “In the week prior, we didn’t really execute well on certain plays that we were trying to take shots on. We made that a focus this week in practice.”

Leary’s comments come a week removed from the Wolfpack barely hanging on to beat Eastern Carolina University 21-20. In that matchup, Pirates kicker Owen Daffer missed a 41-yard field goal in the final seconds that would’ve clinched the upset over NC State. This narrow victory from the Wolfpack is likely what led to them falling five spots in the national rankings a week prior.

“It all starts up front, so credit to the offensive line for giving me time to give the receivers a chance to do their thing,” Leary told reporters. “As soon as we get that rhythm down and that connection in practice, it should translate into the game.”

On a day which Leary broke and tied school records, it also ironically served as the New Jersey natives 23rd birthday. “It probably is the best birthday I’ve ever had. What topped it off was our band playing Happy Birthday for me after the game. Shoutout to them, they really made my day.”

The Wolfpack look to keep things rolling in Carter–Finley Stadium next weekend in a Big 12 matchup with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN2.