NC State Defeats Pitt 35-17, Takes Lead in Atlantic

It wasn’t always beautiful, but NC State defeated Pitt on their home turf 35-17 to improve to 6-1 overall, and 4-0 in the ACC.

Some claim the game was closer than the final score. I disagree.

The Wolfpack receivers dropped 6 passes throughout the game, with a majority of those coming in the 1st half when the Wolfpack offense was anemic.

Cornerback Mike Stevens did pick up his first interception of the season, but the NC State defense also left three other gimme interceptions on the field.

Also, Ryan Finley threw a touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers at the end of the 1st half, but the points were taken off the scoreboard because of a bogus pass interference call on Kelvin Harmon. Then Wolfpack place kicker, Carson Wise proceeded to miss a 34-yard field goal, that was easily the worst field goal attempt I’ve seen in my life (I’m not kidding.)

Despite all of this, NC State beat Pitt 35-17.

Running Back Nyheim Hines put the team on his back in the first half, and probably served as their inspiration at halftime. He had an 83-yard touchdown run, which he followed up with a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown (the longest since 1926). Hines finished the day with 16 carries for 135 yards and 2 total touchdowns (8.4 yards per carry). This was Hines’ third straight 100-yard rushing performance.

Wide Receiver Kelvin Harmon had 3 receptions for 113 yards, with one of them being worthy of the Sportscenter Top-10. He went up and MOSS’d the defender, making a catch that has come to be expected from the stud Sophomore.

H-Back Jaylen Samuels and Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers were also crucial in the Wolfpack victory. Samuels rushed the ball 6 times for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns and also had 4 catches for 28 yards. Meyers had 5 receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown, with a couple of those coming on key third down plays.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt had the type of game that matched the hype around him in the preseason. He finished the game with 9 tackles (1 for loss). Cornerback Johnathan Alston had 7 tackles and 2 pass breakups. Defensive End Darian Roseboro honored his recently deceased father well, collecting 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

Great teams that go on to have great seasons win games even when they aren’t clicking on all cylinders.

NC State is off to the best start since the 2002 season when Philip Rivers was at the helm, which went on to be the best season in school history (11-3 & Gator Bowl victory over Notre Dame).