N.C. State's T.J. Graham beats Louisville's Calvin Pryor on his way to a 68-yard touchdown reception during the first half. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
Updated 12:17 a.m.
CHARLOTTE — There was no such thing as the easy way for N.C. State's football team in the 2011 season.
So when it took a 21-point lead in the third quarter, you got the feeling Louisville would make the Belk Bowl interesting.
The Wolfpack held on for a 31-24 win over the Cardinals in front of 58,427 fans at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday night.
N.C. State quarterback Mike Glennon threw for three touchdowns, all in the first half, and cornerback David Amerson's 65-yard interception return for a touchdown provided the winning margin for the Wolfpack, which won its second straight bowl game.
"That's Wolfpack football," said receiver T.J. Graham, who caught two touchdowns. "We put on a show."
The Pack finished the uneven, yet exciting season — which included the biggest comeback in school history in the regular-season finale against Maryland just to get to Charlotte on Tuesday — with an 8-5 record.
"Eight and five sounds a lot better than 7-6," Glennon said. "This was an important win for the program and our seniors."
Louisville (7-6), which trailed 31-10 after Amerson's touchdown at 6:39 in the third quarter, got two touchdown passes from freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater threw touchdown passes of 2 yards (to tight end Nate Nord) and 2 yards (to receiver Josh Bellamy), the second at 3:55 in the fourth quarter, to cut State's lead to 31-24.
State gave the ball back after recovering the onside kick, which gave Louisville one last chance. Amerson made sure the Pack didn't blow the whole 21-point lead, picking off Bridgewater with 41 seconds left.
"I thought the game would come down to the final play and it did," State coach Tom O'Brien said.
State built a 21-10 halftime lead with two touchdowns to Graham, including a 68-yarder, and a 35-yarder to receiver Tobais Palmer.
The Pack had trailed 10-7 in the second quarter after Louisville turned two turnovers into 10 points.
Glennon was sharp in the first half, completing 14-of-19 passes for 216 yards with three touchdowns. He was 21-of-33 for the game for 263 yards, giving him 3,053 for the season — the fourth quarterback in school history to hit that mark.
The fourth-year junior threw for three touchdown passes in the Pack's eighth win of the season. Only Philip Rivers (34 in 2003) has thrown for more touchdowns in a season than Glennon, who finished his first season as a starter with 31.
The Pack made its share of mistakes, notably an uncharacteristic seven penalties. A special teams mistake by the Pack gave the Cards life early. Freshman punter Wil Baumann mishandled a low snap and then couldn't get a kick off, after being pressured by Louisville's Adrian Bushell.
Louisville recovered the fumble at State's 5-yard line and cashed in the turnover for seven points when Bridgewater scrambled in from 8 yards out with 1:06 left in the first quarter.
The Cards followed a Glennon interception, on a throw into double coverage, with a 32-yard field goal by Chris Philpott with 6:07 left in the half for the 10-7 lead.
Glennon answered with two quick drives. He was 5-for-5 on an 80-yard drive, which ended with a 35-yard strike to Palmer at 4:03 in the second quarter. On the next possession, Glennon found Graham in the seam for a 68-yard strike, on which Graham did the heavy lifting, making three Louisville defenders miss.
"I was thinking touchdown," Graham said. "This was my last game and I wasn't going to be caught."
Amerson, who emerged as the team's new defensive star with linebacker Nate Irving in the NFL, returned an interception 65 yards in the third quarter for a touchdown to some second-half breathing room in the Wolfpack's second straight bowl win. The interception, Amerson's 12th of the season, set a new ACC record.
He went one better on Louisville's last drive of the game.
Comments
Pathetic
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 15:38 — mad_maxhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AkmTtlRbgk
^gvillegatr claims that it is pass interference at 6:50. Looks like the wide receiver is untouched. What do you guys think? Is Youtube broken, or is gatr just a bitter little Tar Heel fan?
Bafoon
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 16:27 — gvillegatrYou're an idiot, dude. The mere fact that you have to go searching for the play is enough to say I own you here at ACCNow.
Untouched ... Priceless !!!
What?
Fri, 12/30/2011 - 16:05 — mad_maxThe fact that I use video evidence to prove you completely wrong means that you "own" me? You're even more pathetic and delusional than I thought!
Your not right
Fri, 12/30/2011 - 20:03 — gvillegatrHe made contact as he impeded the WR going up for the ball. Sometimes it's called. This time it was not. I'd love to move on, but you continue to make a big deal out of it.
Prediction
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 12:01 — SurferNext year, the hype train will be speeding along at full steam, early, fun times ahead.
Oops
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 15:06 — mad_maxWrong thread Surfer. If you want to talk about UNC's annual over-hyping (see 10 win seasons, competing for ACC championships, darkhorse NC contenders, etc.), you should probably do it in the UNC bowl loss thread.
State finished right where many of us thought they would. As YAR already stated, a lot of Pack fans (YAR and myself included) predicted a 7-5 regular season record this year.
As for next year, it's way too early, but I'll go ahead and predict anything between 6-6 and 10-2. Will narrow it down as the months roll along =).
Uh
Fri, 12/30/2011 - 09:33 — SurferApparently not Max.
probably right
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 13:51 — JPDOhioIt is easy to forget the first part of the season when the second part ended reasonably well.
Still, several things point to a better year: no quarterback controversy, more experienced backups to replace the few graduating seniors, the return of Mustafa Greene. Hopefully, a new strength and conditioning coach can reduce the number of injuries that have plagued the Pack. On the down side, there is some question whether Terrell Manning is going to return, which would be a huge hit to the linebacking corps that already is losing Audie Cole.
All in all, things look good for next year, and it is not inconceivable that State will contend for a spot in the ACC championship game. A lot would have to go right for that to happen, so I will try to curb my enthusiasm as the season approaches.
You couldn't be more right with your opening paragraph.
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 14:00 — gvillegatrThe beginning of the year was a disaster, but the back end was filled with excitement. To make matters worse - for Tar Heel fans - it was the opposite.
No matter how much it gets in my crawl, congrats on a very nice finish state football team and fans.
The hype machine
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 13:03 — gvillegatrThere was a family headed back from Charlotte yesterday who called in to 99.9 and he was literally orgasmic about next year and the future of state football. He claimed recruiting was at an all time high and expects big things from here on out from Toby. The host did not expound on the callers sentiments. Crazier things have happened, though.
Meh...
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 12:49 — YAR8packThere's a few rampant spots of excitement every year. But the majority of fans for two tobacco road teams in particular (or at least by now) should know better.
I know the season predictions weren't too far out on this site for the Wolfpack. I said 7-5 and that's where they ended up. Couple of regulars here said the same thing.
OK GO WOLFPACK!
Great win Pack!!
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 18:01 — duke_blueGreat win Pack!!
In aLl seriousness
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 12:51 — gvillegatrI was very impressed with the two 4th and short stops. And once Glennon learns to get more accurate, he'll be better than good.
congrats
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 11:55 — SurferGood win for the Pack, actually closer than I thought it would be. Good for TOB and his tenure. Many don't want him going anywhere anytime soon.
The wuffies
Tue, 12/27/2011 - 23:31 — gvillegatrHad a referee escort most of this evening.
How is state not looking for the fake punt (from midfield) late in third ?
Typical
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 04:51 — mad_maxYour envy filled posts are priceless.
I only saw one bad call that went State's way; the personal foul out of bounds with Glennon. Refs seemed pretty even to me. Haven't really heard anyone else complaining about the officiating other than you...not even Louisville fans.
mad-sax
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 17:13 — bluecat69bluecat69when will u ever learn? with g-alligator aka -red-pussy! it is always the refs fault whether it is bb or fb.
Not even L'Ville fans ?
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 09:41 — gvillegatrDid you go hang out with the NC chapter of Louisville football last night or did you scour every web page that is dedicated to Louisville football ?
BS plays ... George Bryan block in the back at the 20 when Graham went in for the late 2nd qtr TD. Personal Foul on the side line that extended a Wuffie drive and ended up getting a FG. The David Amerson interception return for a TD. He pass interfered with the receiver when he climbed his back (a little dramatic) for the interception.
I love it when you get all bent out of shape after I say something.
Delusional
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 15:36 — mad_maxYou are one sad little dude. You've got three plays that you claim prove that the refs were on State's side all night. Problem is, one of those plays has already been discussed and conceeded, and the other two are totally clean plays!
gatr, I DARE you to watch the highlights here and then come back and try to tell us that 1) Bryan blocked in the back, and 2) Amerson committed DPI.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AkmTtlRbgk
^ here is the link. the CLEAN block by Bryan occurs at 4:17. Notice how he blocks him from the side, inside his shoulder...also known as, a clean block! The Amerson interception in slow motion occurs at 6:50. Now gatr, please tell me how it's pass interference if the defender NEVER TOUCHES THE RECEIVER. You sir, are the biggest joke on this blog. Stop making $hit up.
You are not looking at the play I'm talkiNg about
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 16:24 — gvillegatrWhen TJ Graham caught your last TD of the 1st half (I believe at the 145 mark), Bryan pushes the guy down from the back at the 20 yd line. Poop happens. Quit getting your panties in a wad, grow a pair and ignore my post if you can't bring the correct "tape" to the table.
And Amerson made contact with the WR. It was not clean and could have been called.
95% of the time I do not post just to post.
What planet are you on?
Fri, 12/30/2011 - 16:03 — mad_maxThere was only one TD by Graham late in the first half. That's the one at 4:17 in the video that I posted. You're wrong again gatr.
Hey dumba$$
Fri, 12/30/2011 - 20:01 — gvillegatrThat was Palmer who caught that TD with around 4 to go.
TJ caught the f'ing ball I'm talking about. I'm not gonna tell your 3rd grade a$$ again.
What an embarrassment you don't even know who scores the TD's on your own damn team.
Don't bother apologizing with some lame a$$, "my bad" either.
WOLFPACK Win
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 09:40 — YAR8packQuick thoughts:
I'm still cold and hoarse from the absolute BLAST I had last night at the bowl game. Still pumped! GO WOLFPACK.
The game was a tale of two halves, much like UL and NCSU's seasons. Thank goodness the Wolfpack got out far enough ahead to keep the W. Though TOB's call to go for it on that last 4th down was completely asinine. Maybe he was really worried about the second-string punter? I still would've punted it. Matters not now. Though I damn near had a coronary when it was going on.
Tobias Palmer's catch for a TD is one of the nicest grabs I've seen in a long time. My seats were perfectly positioned to see that wonderful grab and TD.
How about David Amerson? Couldn't be happier for him. Instead of flapping his gums and acting like a clown, he goes out there and plays solid football. The ACC couldn't have a better representative as the all-time int leader in a season.
The biggest congrats and thanks should go to all of my fellow Wolfpack fans who made the trip to Charlotte. So what if Charlotte's not that far of a drive, you still have to buy tickets and SHOW UP. A certain team's "fans" could learn how that works.
Also, the referreeing was bad for BOTH teams in the 2nd half. The BS personal against UL was bad. But the play that was ruled a catch for UL but it CLEARLY hit ground wasn't even considered for review. The TV review pointed the incompletion out. That missed call kept the UL drive going. Oh well.
Hey max, I'm sure you know gators are the same color as envy: green.
Whew. Tired and happy. Now to check out of the hotel and then go to the house. I'll be stopping by a lil trailer called Smok'N Barbecue. If any of you fellas are in the Charlotte area, check it out. You won't be disappointed.
OK GO WOLFPACK!
Fun to Watch
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 12:48 — JPDOhioNot sure why, but I had a good feeling going into this game. Picked State with 29 confidence points in our bowl pool, which is the first time all year that my faith in the Pack was actually rewarded. Even when Louisville made its run in the second half, I never felt that the Pack was going to blow this one.
Agree totally with your points on Amerson and Palmer. TJ Graham also was solid all game. No drops and his run after the catch on that long TD was outstanding. I would also say that TOB's decision to take his chances with Mike Glennon this year worked out extremely well. Nice to know he will be bakc next year, although it sounds like Terrell Manning is rethinking his decision to stay at State for one more year.
On the questionable 4th down try, I do think that TOB was nervous about his punter, but don't forget he was down to his 3rd string center. The backups did fine, but another mistake there in punt formation would have been worse than what happened. So I think the decision to go for it wasn't as bad as many are making it out to be.
All in all, a good way to end the season. Now, on to hoops, where things are looking up as well.
Happy new year to you.
..and you're talking junk
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 00:44 — wjolly..and you're talking junk because?????....you should have been travelling back from Shreveport...they could have used a few more of y'all down there....ROFL!!!!!.....when you win..and actually show up for the game...then come back, little man....
Full stadium looks nice...
Tue, 12/27/2011 - 22:49 — ProwlingWoofieFull stadium looks nice...
..yes...it does...looks like
Wed, 12/28/2011 - 00:42 — wjolly..yes...it does...looks like our neighbors could take a cue...