NC State survives first half scare with comeback win over FSU

RALEIGH, NC — The No. 14 ranked NC State Wolfpack defeated the Florida State Seminoles 19-17 late Saturday evening in Carter-Finley stadium.

With the win, the Wolfpack remain undefeated at home this season and improve their home winning streak to 14 straight. NC State has yet to lose in Carter-Finley stadium since their Nov. 6 loss to Miami back in 2020.

The ACC matchup started slowly as both teams suffered three and outs on their first couple of possessions. Both defenses stood tall as neither team’s run games could get going early.

It wasn’t until NC State QB Devin Leary rolled out right from Shotgun and found WR Devin Carter for a 23-yard gain that sparked the offense for the Wolfpack. The Seminoles got a stop in the endzone which resulted in a 38-yard field from Christopher Dunn, giving the Wolfpack a 3-0 lead after the first quarter.

On Florida State’s first play of the second quarter, quarterback Jordan Travis rushed from one 15-yard line to the other for a 71-yard gain. The big play resulted in an immediate 14-yard Touchdown pass on the next play from Travis to Junior wide receiver Mycah Pittman.

Later toward the end of the half, Florida State running back Trey Benson rushed for a 26-yard gain to the Wolfpack’s 40-yard line. Later in the drive on third down, Jordan Travis found wide receiver Johnny Wilson for a 29-yard gain up the sideline. Travis had 203 total yards and a touchdown by halftime. Travis also set a season-high for rushing yards in this game with 108.

The Seminoles would go no-huddle on the immediate next play as running back Lawrance Toafili rushed 12 yards up the gut for a Florida State touchdown. At this point in the game, the Wolfpack were on an upset watch as they trailed 17-3 at halftime.

NC State came out of the halftime break clicking on all cylinders as Leary connected with wide receiver Keyon Lesane for a 25-yard gain. Shortly after, RB Demie Sumo-Karngbaye rushed up the middle for a 16-yard gain on 3rd down. The drive resulted in Leary finding wide receiver Darryl Jones for a 10-yard touchdown in the red zone.

Trouble emerged for NC State on their next drive as Devin Leary was drilled by a Florida State defensive line on a play that was flagged for roughing the passer. Leary had to be helped off of the field by the training staff after injuring his shoulder and would not return.

Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren said initial X-rays of Leary’s shoulder area were clean, but Leary will undergo an MRI to see if something is more serious.

Running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye as well as wide receiver Devin Carter also was sidelined with injuries for the entire fourth quarter. These injuries will be something to keep an eye out for this week heading into their matchup with No. 22 Syracuse.

Luckily for NC State’s injury-riddled offense, their defense came alive in the second half as they forced a shutout in the final two quarters. Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis threw two interceptions late in the fourth quarter to Devan Boykin and Shyhiem Battle, the latter of who was ejected late in the quarter for targeting.

Wolfpack place kicker Christopher Dunn played an immense role in this one as he was responsible for 12 of NC State’s 19 points. Dunn nailed four field goals, including a 53-yarder early in the fourth and the go-ahead and eventual game-winning 27-yard score with 6:33 left.

The Wolfpack travel to New York next Saturday for yet another conference matchup as they take on the undefeated No. 22 ranked Syracuse Orange at 3:30 p.m. ET in the Carrier Dome on ACC Network.