#22 NC State 30 #21 Wake Forest 21: Quick Hits

#22 NC State took care of business tonight against in-state rival, #21 Wake Forest, defeating the Demon Deacons 30-21 on Homecoming in Carter-Finley Stadium. Here are a few Quick Hits from the game.

MJ Morris became the first True Freshman to start at Quarterback for NC State since 2000, when Philip Rivers made his first snap. Morris was 18 of 28 for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns, with a Passing Efficiency Rating of 162.6.

Morris became the 3rd Wolfpack QB since 2000 to throw at least 3 touchdowns in their first career start, joining Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett.

He also got the job done with his legs, especially at the end of the 4th, icing the game with his ability to run. If you don’t count the 22 yards loss due to sacks, he rushed the ball for 65 yards.

Senior Receiver Thayer Thomas was Mr. Dependable as usual, snagging 8 receptions for 79 yards.

Junior Receiver Keyon Lesane was clutch in the 1st half. You could argue that it was the deep ball for 44 yards that got MJ Morris’ confidence clicking after overthrowing his receivers on the first drive or two. Later on that same drive in the 2nd Quarter, Lesane caught a 12-yard touchdown across the middle. He finished the game with 3 receptions for 71 yards.

Senior Receiver Darryl Jones had 3 receptions for 24 yards, but 2 of them were in the end zone.

Both Junior Jordan Houston and True Freshman Michael Allen were effective rushing the ball. Houston rushed for 53 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, and Allen averaged 7.2 yards on 5 carries.

On the Defensive side of the ball, Senior Isaiah Moore was a machine, racking up 10 tackles, 1 sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup and 1 QBH. Junior Drake Thomas splashed the Box Score as well, collecting 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and 4 QBH.

The Wolfpack secondary intercepted veteran Wake Forest Quarterback Sam Hartman 3 times with Sophomore Aydan White, Senior Cyrus Fagan and Junior Jakeen Harris each grabbing one apiece.

As a Defensive unit, the Wolfpack had 4 sacks and 9 tackles for loss.

Wake Forest had more Total Yards (414/325), but NC State won the Time of Possession (33:22/26:38) and the Turnover Battle, turning over the Demon Deacons 3 times, while the Wolfpack offense didn’t turn it over.

I can’t forget to give Senior Place Kicker Chris Dunn his kudos. He remains perfect on the year, connecting on all 3 field goal attempts (33, 51, 25).

The Wolfpack have now won 16 straight games at home in Carter-Finley Stadium, tying the school record done under Lou Holtz back in 1972-75. NC State will look to break that tie, and set a new school record next week at home against Boston College at 3:30pm next Saturday.