The first leg of the 2015 football season is complete and everything has gone according to plan after the Wolfpack pounded South Alabama 63-13. North Carolina State is 4-0.
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Strategic scheduling coupled with quality play has enabled Dave Doeren’s 3rd Wolfpack squad to live up expectations while gradually grooming its youthful talent in time for the meat of the ACC season. The game, played in Mobile, Alabama featured a confident undefeated NC State football team determined not going to overlook the home team South Alabama Jaguars.
The Jags started strong, as they jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, giving Pack fans pause. It didn’t last long, as the Pack showed early and often that South Alabama did not have a defense that could stop them. NC State would march down the field seemingly at will as they quickly tied the score. The PLAY of that drive was a 77 yard touchdown run by junior Matt Dayes. NC State 7 – So. Alabama 7
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Later in the first quarter, NC State linebacker Germaine Pratt came up with a huge interception as he picked off Cody Clements to stop a Jags drive at the Pack 19 yard line. On the next play the Wolfpack went for the jugular as Jacoby Brissett passed 42 yards to Jaylen Samuels then another 33 yard pass to Bra’Lon Cherry down to the 2 yard line. Dayes took in over the right side for a NC State 21-7 lead.
On the next Jaguar drive, Jarod Fernandez picked off Clements for a second time and raced to the So. Alabama 8 yard line. Matt Dayes on an end around sweep to the left scored again to the boost the Wolfpack lead to 28-7 with 3:41 left in the first quarter.
The Jags were quickly coming apart at the seams.
In the second quarter, Brissett on a well designed pitch option/shovel, passed to Samuels who took it 33 yards on what was credited as a touchdown (shovel) pass. NC State 35 – So. Alabama 10
With 4:21 remaining in 2nd quarter Brissett hit Jaylen Samuels again on a 3 yard TD pass. The rout was on.
HALFTIME: NC State 42 – So. Alabama 10
The second half was much like the first….a dominating performance by the Wolfpack. In the 3rd quarter we got our best look yet at Jalen McClendon, the red shirt quarterback who is the heir apparent to Jacoby Brissett. Though he did not pass much, McClendon did get almost two quarters of much-needed play.
Final NC State 63 – South Alabama 13
Jacoby Brissett- 18 for 23 for 218 yards (2 TDs)
Jaylen Samuels- 5 catches for 84 yards (2 TDs)
Matt Dayes- 8 carries for 104 yards (3 TDs)
Shadrach Thornton– 12 carries for 114 yards (2 TDs)
Reggie Gallaspy II- 6 carries for 35 yards (2 TDs)
Game Notes: NC State had 9 offensive touchdowns and 330 yards rushing (586 total offense). South Alabama was held to 45 yards rushing. Game attendance: 21,314
UP NEXT: Louisville Cardinals (1-3) in Raleigh, NC on October 3, 2015