NC State Wolfpack: Pack Squeezes Past Orange
Nyheim Hines and the Wolfpack holds off Syracuse for NC State’s fourth straight victory while No. 17 Louisville looms on the horizon.
After defeating a ranked Florida State team on the road the week before, NC State (4-1, 2-0 ACC) returned home and used that momentum to win against Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC) Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium, 33-25.
Nyheim Hines shined as the Wolfpack’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 19 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Samuels continued his success as State’s offensive everyman with nine carries for 74 yards and a touchdown as well as five catches for 37 yards.
Despite the Pack’s rushing success against the Orange, Ryan Finley continued his success through the air with 20-for-33 passing for 186 yards and a 20-yard touchdown strike to Stephen Louis. Louis finished with four catches for 67 yards while Jakobi Meyers caught a team-high seven passes for 57 yards.
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The Wolfpack managed to score on five of its six drives in the first half to pull ahead early. State also had the added benefit of the first two Syracuse drives resulting in a Johnathan Alston interception and a missed field goal. The Pack coasted into halftime with comfortable 26-7 lead.
Syracuse came out of the break with more of a determined resolve as the Wolfpack surrendered 10 unanswered points to the Orange in the third quarter. State broke out of the offensive rut with Hines’ touchdown early in the fourth quarter, giving the Pack a 16-point lead. Syracuse managed to score one more touchdown before the end of the game, but NC State recovered the ensuing onside kick and rushed for two first downs to secure the win.
The Wolfpack will next host No. 17 Louisville on ESPN Thursday Night Football. Kickoff from Carter-Finley is set for 8 p.m.
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