#14 NC State 19 FSU 17: Initial Thoughts

#14 NC State squeaked out a 19-17 victory over Florida State, winning 16-0 in the 2nd half tonight. Below are rambling thoughts.

• The Wolfpack has won three-straight games against the Seminoles for the first time in the history of the series between the two schools, which started back in 1952. FSU has won 27 of the 43 games, but NC State has won 5 of the last 6.
• In the 2nd half, the Wolfpack lost Running Back Demie Sumo, Quarterback Devin Leary and Wide Receiver Devin Carter, in that order.
  • When Leary left the game, there was 4:59 left on the clock in the 3rd Quarter, and NC State trailed 17-10. Even without three key Wolfpack offensive players, they found away to put 9 more points on the board.
• Give it up to the NC State defense for shutting out FSU in the 2nd half.
  • The Linebackers owned the box score.
    • Drake Thomas: 14 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups
    • Isaiah Moore: 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss
    • Payton Wilson: 10 tackles
• How do you win a game when your offense is 2 for 13 converting 3rd down? When your starting quarterback leaves the game with your trailing by 7 in the 3rd? When FSU finished with more Total Yards (387/307)?
  • You win the turnover battle 3-1
    • Props to Shyheim Battle with 2 interceptions and Devan Boykin with the other.
      • Sadly Battle was called for a (weak) targeting penalty, and had to miss the rest of the game, and will miss the first half of next weeks game at Syracuse.
      • Boykin’s was the first of his career.
  • You win the time of possession battle.
    • NC State – 33:24
    • FSU: 26:36
      • Roughly 2/3 of NC State’s time of possession came in the 2nd half (20:54)
  • FSU had 10 penalties for 100 yards.
    • The Wolfpack were close to as bad with 8 for 70.
  • You believe in the next man up
    • Quarterback Jack Chambers came in, and threw an incompletion on the one pass he attempted, but did rush the ball 7 times for 47 yards.
    • I know that Running Back Jordan Houston is the starter, but with Demie Sumo out, Houston carried the ball a whopping 24 times for 90 yards, and he earned every one of them.
  • You don’t give up on the run game.
    • Don’t sleep on Delbert Mimms. He ran for 21 yards on 3 carries.
  • You go 3-3 on field goals attempts.
    • Dunn made them from 53, 40 and 27.
  • You don’t give up

Look I’ve got concerns…

• About Devin Leary’s health
  • It was his throwing shoulder
• About Leary’s play prior to the injury.
  • He was 10 for 21 for 130 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Five of his completions were to his running backs.
    • Props to Darryl Jones for catching his first touchdown at NC State.
• The Wide Receiver Room
• Some coaching decisions

BUT…

#14 NC State won over Florida State 19-17.

The Wolfpack didn’t give up, put up a defensive shutout in the 2nd half, established the run game in the 2nd half (124 yards), despite adversity, and a 14-point deficit at the half.

Hold your head high Wolfpack fans, and be proud of your 5-1 #14 NC State football team.