SEEING RED: Wolfpack outlasts Orangemen 24-17

Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York, NC State outlasted the Orangemen to get their first ACC victory of the season. Check that. It was actually NC State’s first conference victory since beating Boston College 27-10 on November 24, 2012. Two years and 12 ACC losses later, Dave Doeren and his Wolfpack football team finally got it done.

It wasn’t easy. Syracuse needed a victory as much as the Wolfpack and brought their B game for the entertaining slugfest. Now losers of five of its last six games and sitting on a (3-6), (1-4) record Syracuse has an uphill climb to become bowl eligible. A similar fate faced the Wolfpack before the win. State had lost 4 consecutive games. However, the same dynamics in sports that can lead to a disastrous season can also turn things around just as quickly. My, my… it’s amazing just how much ONE victory can mean at the right time.

NC State (5-4), (1-4) played a gritty, physical smart game. They did just enough to win. When you’re on the road in hostile territory, that’s all you want. Enough to win.

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NC State sensing a wounded SU team (especially on offense) took it to them with an aggressive gameplan from the start. Jacoby Brissett and company were clicking early on with its up-tempo offense. Though no touchdowns were scored, the Wolfpack showed enough promise after 3 successful Niklas Sade field goals of 43, 43 and 21 yards. Defensively the Pack hounded Syracuse freshman quarterback A. J. Long all day logging eight sacks and 13 tackles for losses. Despite the aggressive play, Syracuse clawed back to within 2 points after a 12-play, 96-yard drive that ended with a Long to Ben Lewis touchdown snag with just :15 seconds left before halftime.

Halftime: NC State 9 – Syracuse 7

The second half began with SU still riding the momentum swing from the end of the first half by embarking on a 10 play 75 yard drive for a touchdown. NC State 9 – Syracuse 14

With trouble looming and Syracuse driving for a possible third consecutive touchdown, the play of the game and decisive momentum changer occurred when N.C. State’s Pharoah McKever jumped a short pass by Long and ran 82 yards for the pick-six. The subsequent 2-point conversion was successful and the Pack had regained the lead. NC State 17 – Syracuse 14

Nov 1, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t until late in the 4th quarter when the Pack got some breathing room after Brissett passed to Shadrach Thornton for an 18 yard touchdown.

NC State 24 – Syracuse 14

With only 2:14 remaining in the game, three Syracuse prayers needed to be answered for the Orangemen to at least have a chance to tie. Two of them were:

BOOT a 50-yard field, which kicker Cole Murphy did
RECOVER an onside kick

Fortunately for the Wolfpack a third prayer would not be granted as the Pack’s Josh Jones intercepted a Hail Mary pass to escape with the win.

FINAL: NC State 24 – Syracuse 17

Quick Stats:

Jacoby Brissett — 20 of 32 for 186 yards and 1 TD; 8 rushes for 16 yards
Matt Dayes— 10 rushes for 31 yards
Shadrach Thornton– 10 rushes for 21 yards; 3 catches for 30 yards and one touchdown
Bra’lon Cherry– 4 catches for 64 yards

Notable: Another impressive stat for the Pack defense was that Syracuse had 362 yards rushing against N.C. State last season. Tonight, the Orangemen were limited to a paltry 38 yards rushing on 37 carries.
Up Next: Georgia Tech at Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC

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