Disappointment: Cardinals defeat NC State 20-13
Easter came early for the Wolfpack Nation.
On Saturday the NC State football team laid an egg in a 20-13 loss to the Louisville Cardinals. Primed with a 4-0 start against lesser opponents, NC State was catching a good Louisville team off to a rocky 1-3 start at home in the friendly confines of Carter-Finley Stadium on a soggy field. A 5-0 start for the Pack seemed all but assured, because by every measure, this NC State football team was also pretty good. Good enough to challenge for the ACC Atlantic Division crown.
More from North Carolina State Wolfpack
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- Four North Carolina players selected in first round of MLB Draft
- N.C. State basketball announces staff changes
- N.C. State Football: Wolfpack lands Top 10 quarterback in 2021
- Should N.C. State fans be mad at Doeren over Will Shipley?
Instead the Pack laid a Ginormous water-soaked egg.
The Wolfpack defense set the tone early. After two consecutive 3 and out defensive stops, the Wolfpack did its job controlling the line of scrimmage and keeping Cardinal freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson in check.
However, things turned quickly after it looked as though Pack receiver Jurmichael Ramos’ 30 yard catch and run resulted in his fumble at the Louisville 8 yard line. Ramos’ fumble came after an incredible extra effort in an attempt to get into the end zone as it appeared like he just might break the last defender.
More from Old North Banter
- Carolina Panthers: Secondary battles to watch in training camp 2020
- Carolina Panthers: 2020 training camp kicks off on Tuesday
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- Court alleges Zion’s Stepfather received $400k
- UNC Football gets Commitment from Top Cornerback
On Louisville’s ensuing drive, Lamar Jackson on a 2nd and 14 play, bolted 68 yards on an option keeper to score his fifth touchdown of the season. NC State 0 – Louisville 7
NC State responded well by moving the ball to the Cardinal 33 yard line when the drive fizzled.
Louisville would score 13 plays (93 yards) later when Jackson hit 6’6” freshman Devonte Peete on a 20 yard 3rd down touchdown pass. NC State 0 – Louisville 14
Freshman blue chip recruit Nyheim Hines paid off big dividends when he returned the kickoff 90 yards, then had a facemask penalty tacked on placing the ball inside the 10. Three plays later Matt Dayes ran a jet sweep around the right side to cut the lead to 7 points. NC State 7 – Louisville 14
The Pack defense holds.
Live Feed
Busting Brackets
A 4 yard Jacoby Brissett pass to Jaylen Samuels turned into a long gainer as he took it about 35 yards down the left sideline into Cardinal territory. The Wolfpack seemed destined to score more points, but again the Cardinal defense stiffened and the drive fizzled.
Louisville, with the help of two personal fouls: facemask and roughing the passer penalties kicked a 36 yard field goal just before the half.
HALFTIME: NC State 7 – Louisville 17
1st Half Notables: Louisville had 42 offensive plays to NC State’s 23. The Wolfpack offense was dismal with only 4 first downs and 15 yards rushing.
After trading punts to start the second half, the Wolfpack embarked on a 10-play 80 yard drive to score on a 21 yard touchdown pass from Brissett to Jaylen Samuels. The extra point was missed. NC State 13 – Louisville 17
Though the rain would come and go, and was at times heavy, it did not really appear to have much of an impact on this game. The second half was frustrating because NC State showed they could move the football offensively, but were repeatedly stymied time and time again. The Cardinals would continue to move the football, draining the clock and adding a 3rd quarter field goal. The Pack mustered one last drive to tie, but again was stuffed on 4 and 1 by a resilient Cardinal defense.
FINAL: Louisville 20 – NC State 13
Louisville should not have come out of Raleigh with this victory. To their credit they did what was needed to win the ballgame, however the Wolfpack will look back at this one as a game that got a way. The frustration and disappointment on coach Dave Doeren’s face at a later press conference was evident. He knew the obvious…that the Pack lost this game as much as Louisville won it.
After averaging 259 rushing yards in the first four games, NC State ended with just 45 yards.
Jacoby Brissett–16 of 29 for 183 yards (TD)
Matt Dayes– 19 carries for 68 yards (TD)
Jaylen Samuels– 5 catches for 75 yards (TD)
UP NEXT: 10/9/15 at Virginia Tech (2-3)