NC State Get’s Lucky in Season Opening 21-20 Victory Over East Carolina

Well…for once…NC State got lucky.

With 8 seconds left in the game, East Carolina missed a 41-yard field goal to beat NC State.

Let it be known that ECU’s Place Kicker, Sophomore Owen Daffer, earned 1st Team All-AAC honors in 2021.

Oh…did I mention that he missed an extra point with 2:58 seconds left in the 4th Quarter.

This game should have either gone into overtime…or the Pirates should have won the game…but that’s why you play the game…right?

With a bit of luck NC State beat ECU for only the second time ever in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (2-4), bringing the overall series to 19-13.

NC State led 21-7 at the half.

Mind you…7 of those NC State points came from a blocked punt by Redshirt Junior Jasiah Provillon that was recovered by Redshirt Freshman Sean Brown…which is awesome…but let’s not act like the Wolfpack offense created a 14-point lead at the half.

Before I move on from the first half, I should point out that Graduate Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas caught his 21st career touchdown in the 1st half, tying Jerricho Cothcery for 2nd all-time in NC State history. Thomas finished the day with 4 receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.

The other Wolfpack touchdown in the 1st half is credited to Redshirt Freshman Demi Sumo-Karngbaye, who scurried into the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown. Sumo proved to be one of the few bright spots in the Wolfpack victory, rushing for 79 yards on 14 attempts (5.6 yards per carry). His counterpart, Junior Running Back Jordan Houston ran the ball 15 times for 59 yards (3.7 yards per carry).

The Wolfpack managed to put 0 points on the board in the 2nd half.

Today was not Redshirt Junior Quarterback Devin Leary’s day. He was 17 of 33 for 211 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Leary’s Passing Efficiency Rating was a measly 109.2.

Did NC State for once get lucky? I’ll say the odds weren’t in their favor.

ECU had more total yards (364/344) and won the time of possession battle (32:09/27:51).

On another note, Redshirt Junior Linebacker Payton Wilson went down with a shoulder injury, and was seen on the sideline in street clothes. I feel terrible for the kid, but he was seen giving a thumbs up on the sideline. His replacement, Junior Jaylon Scott stepped up in a big way, leading the Wolfpack with 8 tackles. Here’s to hoping that Payton’s alright.

Also, Redshirt Junior Tight End Trent Pennix left the game with a wrist injury, but he was upbeat on Twitter after the game.

Maybe former Wide Receiver Emeka Emezie said it best…for the first time watching the game, rather than playing in it.

Alright…let me shoot straight…I wouldn’t have bet money that NC State would have covered the 11.5 spread. I thought this was going to be a close one. Did I think the Wolfpack would make it this close…no. Did I think NC State was going to get lucky…no.

But at the end of the day…the 13th ranked Wolfpack went into hostile territory and walked out with a W…and I guess you can say…that’s all that matters.