RALEIGH -- Little went right for N.C. State's football team this season except the ending.
Russell Wilson's four touchdown passes led the Wolfpack to a 28-27 win over No. 23 North Carolina on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Third-year coach Tom O'Brien improved to 3-0 against the Tar Heels and ended a disappointing season (5-7) with a memorable win.
Penalties, a fumble in the end zone and a blocked field goal, cost the Tar Heels at least 24 points and Wilson has made them pay. Wilson's 38-yard TD pass to Owen Spencer at 14:31 in the fourth gave State its first and only lead of the day.
UNC (8-4) had a four-game winning streak snapped and their hopes of big bowl trip all but extinguished.
Alan-Michael Cash blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt by UNC Casey Barth at 4:44 in the fourth quarter to preserve State's slim margin.
UNC's offense scored three touchdowns in the first half — the first time they've scored three touchdowns in a game since the FSU game on Oct. 22 — and built leads of 10-0, 17-7 and 24-14.
Beleaguered quarterback T.J. Yates threw for 206 yards, and two touchdowns, in the first half but only 74 yards, with an interception in the second.
Wilson finished 20-of-27 for 259 yards and four scores without a turnover.
State cut UNC's halftime lead to 24-21 on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Spencer at 10:23 in the third quarter.
UNC led 27-21 before Wilson's fourth TD pass. A halfback-pass by Ryan Houston to Greg Little, covering 42 yards, set up Barth's second field goal, but an unsportsmanlike penalty on guard Alan Pelc prevented the Heels from getting more.
Two offensive penalties in the red zone, and three 15-yard penalties on the defense on one N.C. State's scoring drive kept UNC from turning the game into a blowout.
Both of Yates' TD passes went to freshman Jheranie Boyd. Boyd's second score, a 70-yarder with 46 seconds left in the half, pushed UNC's lead back to 24-14.
Wilson threw two touchdown passes in the first half, both to Jarvis Williams. The Heels were flagged three times on State's second TD drive, twice for pass interference and once for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Wilson turned the free yardage into a 14-yard TD pass to Williams at 4:33 in the second quarter.
UNC led 10-0 and 17-7 but a fumble in the end zone and holding penalty limited their first two drives, both which ended deep in N.C. State territory, to three points.
Yates found Boyd for a 35-yard touchdown after two UNC drives stalled in the red zone.
Johnny White's fumble in the end zone at 6:13 kept the Tar Heels from expanding their early lead.
A 62-yard hookup between Yates and Little moved the UNC offense into State territory in one shot. Then White took a draw and ran nine yards but was hit at the goal line by Jarvis Byrd and C.J. Wilson recovered the fumble in the end zone.
The Heels moved deep into State's end of the field on their first drive but had to settle for a field goal. A third-down holding penalty on tight end Zack Pianalto halted UNC's first drive, which ended with a 31-yard field goal by Barth at 9:51 in the first.
Barth had hit 16 straight field goals and 11 in the past four games but not the one he needed most in the fourth quarter.
Comments
Nice
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 11:17 — SurferNice game, nice season for the Wolfpack. Better luck next year fellas.
28-27 is current and will be for another year!
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 14:46 — ciscopackTom O'Brien has been handing out Butch-Slaps since 2007. 3-0; 31-27, 41-10, 28-27!
Finally
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 15:34 — SurferIt's about time the Pack started to show somewhat of a competative spirit. I mean 63-30, is looking a little better, I guess.
Congrats to the Pack. Anybody with any sense knows the better team lost on Sat., but hey, that's why they play the game.
late hit on TJ Yates
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 13:39 — gvillegatrwas the correct call. he was giving himself up and was completely out of bounds when the hit occured. happens every week. you can't hit the QB like that.
watching the game on dvr
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 11:40 — gvillegatrthru the first 9 mins of the 1st qtr. Zack Pianalto DID NOT hold on UNC's first drive which nullified the 1st and goal from around the five yd line. settled on 3 pts.
While Jarvis Byrd successfully jarred the ball loose from Johnny White right before the goal line, he did so with a helmet-to-helmet shot that was not called. can't believe no one has brought that up. turnover against the Heels.
Keep whatching and whining
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 12:21 — JustonevoteEnd result is still 28-27
it most certainly is.
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 13:47 — gvillegatrUNC beat themselves in the 2nd half. simply got away from evrything they did in the 1st half. I hope you enjoy your off-season, justonevote.
BTW, I don't recall seeing you on any of the ncsu football blogs when the pack were losing all season. fair weather fan.
Keep makin excuses-whaaaaa, whaaaa boo hoo.
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 14:44 — JustonevoteWhat you "recall" - Just because your memory is bad doesn't mean anything to me.
Just keep watchin' that DVR - I'm sure you'll convince yourself the tar holes did win...........Ha.
Stings-doesn't it? gvillegatr
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 10:52 — JustonevoteIt figures you're an ECU study pullin for UNC! That's cowardly.
whats cowardly
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 11:10 — gvillegatris coming to sites like this ONLY when your team wins. especially when you went there!
Agreed
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 14:14 — Heels20Gatr has been on here through the ups and downs this season. I don't understand how a couple Pack fans on here go into hiding throughout the entire year and suddenly reappear when they pull off a victory.
As I was leaving the stadium yesterday, I was walking past a group of State fans who, I was told by my friend from State, represent the "Farm House." One of them who fit just about every negative stereotype from NC State stepped up. "WHERE YOU GOIN' TO BOY?"
"Congratulations, fellas," I replied. I've probably been to over twice as many games at Carter Finley than that guy, so I understood the rivalry and the enthusiasm that comes with a win.
"CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTIN' BEAT BY A TEAM THAT AIN'T BEEN RANKED ALL YEAR," he yelled, as though that wasn't any type of insult toward his own program.
Unfortunately, I was unable to control my temper at this point. We just lost the game and suddenly this guy in a fake fraternity who looked like he had never visited the dentist was yelling at me as though he himself had just accomplished something. Throw a punch? Wish I could, but our liberal society frowns upon that, as we seem to honor the death of a pedafile by constantly playing his songs on the radio, but try to lock up guys who humble morons with their fists.
"AT LEAST MY MOM, AUNT AND GRANDMA ARE THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE," I shouted back, immitating the thick accent that made him sound more stupid than southern. He stopped, and actually scratched his head. I'm willing to bet that he's still trying to figure that one out right now.
So as I said before, to the Pack fans who have stuck with your team throughout the season and still believed in this victory (or at least a close game), I extend the sincerest of congratulations. To those of you who want to attack Gatr as you relate much more to the guy I was confronted by in the parking lot, I hope you just remember that you are the ones so negatively representing your school that you're actually taking away from the good in a win.
same ol same ol
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 16:42 — gvillegatrthis happened to me as well. I really don't need to elaborate as it was the same ol, same ol.
Idiots.
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 15:10 — JPDOhioEvery program has them.
What I appreciate today is that the Tar Heel fans on this site that I have some respect for have been very gracious in defeat. I have a tendency to ignore the idiots, except when they are so over the top that I can't help myself. But I do enjoy the well crafted retorts like this one from Heels20 and welcome them.
Fact is, even I couldn't bring myself to predict an upset in this one, even though I knew that it was possible. And, despite a few questionable calls that affected momentum at various points in the game, this was not the worst officiated game in the ACC this year.
The game was as evenly played as the final score indicated and the difference was that UNC made more mistakes than the Pack did. I am thankful for the win and look forward to a better year next year.
Good take
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 15:27 — Heels20There were questionable calls both ways. The personal foul called when Yates got hit out of bounds could have gone either way, but if the refs called that, then they should have called it when Burney took Jarvis Williams down out of bounds. One of the two pass interference calls on State's second scoring drive looked like a completely uncatchable ball, but then the officials called roughing the passer when Ryan Houston was the one making the throw (can you really call a roughing the passer when the passer is the RB? Technically, yes, but I've never believed in that call). When it all comes down to it, the officials did not decide this game. J Boyd (who had a great game overall) running 12 yards backwards nearly taking us out of scoring territory contributed to the outcome. Casey Barth getting his kick blocked by a guy who's vertical can't be over 5 inches contributed to the outcome. Charles Brown failing to wrap up the receiver in the flats EVERY SINGLE TIME contributed to the outcome. Johnny White fumbling into the endzone contributed to the outcome. Butch deciding to punt it on 4th in 1 when it was in NC State territory contributed to the outcome. TJ bracing himself for the hits rather than looking downfield contributed to the outcome.
My dad is the biggest State fan you will ever meet. Talking to him after the game, I thought he summed it up pretty well. The Heels were the better ball club, but dumb penalties and mental errors caused us to lose this football game. And what can you say about Russell Wilson? I've been saying it since last season, he's amazing. He took a shot on that 4th TD pass and he saw it coming, but he delivered a perfect throw and demonstrated the toughness that EVERY coach and fan wants to see in their QB.
I wish Wilson the best, but please please please, do not torch us another year. I'm ready to welcome Glennon with open arms.
indeed
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 16:31 — gvillegatrthat took some balls for Wilson to stand in there on his last TD pass (the go ahead). I looked at my buddy just minutes before and said UNC was going to lose. you could just see it happening. everyone in the stadium knew.
I hate losing at anything whether I can control it or not. I tip my hat to the state team. I just wish UNC would have continued to do what they did in the 1st half in the 2nd. It makes no sense to me and it is another hit against BD and/or Shoop.
welocme back to ACCNow
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 21:49 — gvillegatrPuddentain, avgJoe, DougRay2, tjfoose, roi, jrsr, PACK_MIKE77, ncsfeddie. always nice to see you guys come back when the grass is growing under your feet so to speak. cowards is all I got to say.
To madmax and jpdohio, good game to the Pack.
I am going to have to watch the dvr of this game to get the feel the rest of you state fans got considering I was actually at the game. I know for a fact your second TD drive was gift wrapped to you courtesy of the refs. the rest of it was earned. 28-27. I guess this will be your new anthem for the next 365 days .........
Thank you gatr. It was
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 03:40 — mad_maxThank you gatr. It was a desperately needed win for our program. As for the game, the refs blew a couple calls in Carolina's favor, especially early on...I think the late hit out of bounds was probably the worst. I know those plays are always hard to tell live, and certainly from the stands, but the dvr will clearly show that Yates was not out of bounds when he was hit. Thankfully for State, the refs did come back and throw three neccessary flags on the drive you are referring to...two pass interferences and the foul for slamming Eugene to the ground well after the whistle (perhaps a make-up call for the Yates late hit call). Also luckily for the Pack, the pass interference that the refs didn't call didn't cost us because owen spencer caught it and took it to the house anyways. I still can't beleive the ball made it to his hands and stayed there.
28-27 doesn't feel like a whole lot to brag about when you hear it lol, so we will probably use the three-straight line for the next year. Good luck in the bowl season. Then I guess it's time for bball season again...see ya there.
You forgot the sure TD UNC
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 23:34 — chrismg1You forgot the sure TD UNC fumbled away in the 1st. We stumble over our own idiot mistakes again. Hopefully carolina can redeem themselves in the bowl game like they did after the FSU meltdown.
Congrats on the I-40 championship NCSU. Let me know when you print the t-shirts.
You cant be too upset...
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:05 — willncsuconsidering you didn't even go to school there. Did they have some good UNC gear at walmart on black friday?
Swing and a miss...
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:22 — chrismg1Graduated class of 08. BA in History.
care to try again?
Meant that to Gvillegatr
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:32 — willncsuHe is an ECU grad and makes your fans look like tards. BA in history? How impressive. Couldn't cut it in geography?
Nah, I actually enjoy
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:39 — chrismg1Nah, I actually enjoy history. Did well enough to get myself into grad school. Probably would have done the same thing at NCSU if I didn't turn down their acceptance letter.
Making History
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 04:09 — bobmacGlad to hear you are a Chapel Hill history major. Put 28-27 down in your history book. I also enjoy history. History now reads "Pack- 3 in a row."
Willncsu, geography may have been a little tough for chrismg 1. A lot of good football teams can be found along I-40. Don't think we are that good. Our t-shirts will read, "2009 Orange County Champs!" Chrismg 1, send TOB your address. He'll be glad to send you a t-s.
fixed that for ya.
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 17:56 — chrismg1History now reads "Pack- 3 losing seasons in a row."
UNC Guarantee
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 21:25 — bobmacGee, so right history majors. Just glad we are able to play Carolina every year now. At least we are guaranteed not to have a no wins season.
Wrong
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 11:24 — SurferActually, I think it is 4.
Great win
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:44 — mad_maxWhat a great win for the Wolfpack! I can't think of a group of guys that deserved that more than this State team. Almost a perfect day. State did exactly what I said they needed to do to win this one: win the turnover margin battle by at least two, and consistently tackle people. Great job all around.
As for Carolina...I watched this game with my girlfriend, who basically knew nothing about football or the rivalry before today, and I just want to thank Carolina for showing her why we hate them so much. Anyone see Yates' taunts to the crowd after his TD passes? Or how about Greg Little running his thug mouth at an injured State player laying on the ground? And faking injuries, twice? C'mon, just a classless display by UNC. I'm so happy State was able to battle through UNC's trick plays and horrible calls/no-calls by the refs and actually pull this win out. My girlfriend and I said the same thing after the game, "I guess the good guys do win in the end". Stay classy Pack. Karma is a bitch.
Congrats to the Pack
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:29 — Heels20This is a great way to see Wilson go out and an even better win for Coach Dana Bible. While I hate it that the Heels lost, it's good to see the Pack win one for Bible and I think that I speak for all Carolina fans when we wish him the best of luck in his recovery.
Unfortunately, dumb penalties and lack of emotion were causes for this loss. State showed up and we didn't have an answer at the end. 2 words: Russell Wilson. He was like a time bomb waiting to go off all year and he finally exploded the last game of the season. Memories of the FSU game come to mind immediately, as we put together a nice lead, got conservative, and blew it. Congrats to the Pack and I hope we'll show up next year.
Nice comments Heels20.
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 19:07 — tjfooseNice comments Heels20. From at least one Wolfpack fan, thanks. My below comments should be read in a sympathic, commiserating tone, not a belittling or ridiculing one.
I know we disagree about this, but... I think this is another example of a loss that can be put squarely on Butch. As I've said over and over again, he's good for 1-3 of these a year. He is not a good 'game day' coach.
You all should have won this game going away. I was actually shocked when I saw the defensive scheme employed by UNC.
I expected to see the same scheme SoCar employed against us, or at least, some variation. Wake copied SoCar's scheme with lesser athletes; they still gave us problems and provided enough resistance to get TO's and stops when they needed 'em.
UNC has the athletes to match SoCar almost man for man on defense. The formula was there to stop, or at least, slow down our offense. Plain as day on the SoCar and Wake game tape.
Basic scheme of a containing press rush by front four while spying RW with your quickest linebacker. Throw in stunts to crash your backside OLB, twist you DE's, zone blites w/ LBs and dropping DL into flat coverages to maintain contain. Butch did none of this. Wow. I was literally shocked. BD ran mostly man converages which RW has torched everytime he's faced it, going back to last year's Miami game.
And your offense? Wow, it was a gift.
Thanks to Butchie for not exploiting our injuries and
weakness on defense. I don't think UNC went deep at all when Floyd was
our lone deep safety (though our other safeties where torched 2-3 times). I love Floyd - he's all guts and heart - but he
can't leap with or cover Litte or your other big WR's.
UNC didn't exploit Monk (#12) when he subbed for an injured Byrd at CB. I think today was Monk's first game experience, not only this year, but of the sophomore's career.
Thanks also to BD for not running Houston 25-30 times, early and often, with White supplementing and getting heavy carries in the 3rd
and 4th qtrs. White is a beast. That guy can do everything... run, catch, special teams. I am thankful he was not utilized more.
Sorry dude, sincerely. Not for State's win, but for the way you lost. Your athletes deserve better coaching. Butch's salary should demand it.
Good luck in your bowl game, seriously. Good luck.
Thank you very much...
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 19:10 — Heels20...and I do agree. As I said, it reminded me a lot of the FSU game. We built a comfortable lead and then sat on it. We got conservative and didn't take advantage of the fact that our receivers are more athletic than State's secondary. If I remember correctly, we did attack Floyd one time with the deep ball...thrown to Erik Highsmith, one of our slowest receivers. He had Floyd beat and was simply overthrown. We went to J Boyd deep down field early on and decided to do it no more late in the game. Greg Little is really the only player I was satisfied with throughout the game. He needs to learn how to shut his mouth and avoid unnecessary penalties, but he wanted it as much as any one today.
Unfortunately, 365 nightmares weren't enough to force Butch to be aggressive and go for the throat all four quarters. Hopefully another 365 will do the trick. But again, congratulations on the win and hopefully it will be just as competitive (if not more competitive) next year.
Yep, I think you are
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 19:32 — tjfooseYep, I think you are correct on the Highsmith miss, although I think a corner had 'em 1-on-1, and was beat on the sideline. Floyd probably was supposed to help out there.
Yates played great though (we tend to bring out great performances from all the offenses we play), and I think that was the only pass he missed.
Little could have beaten us on crossing routes all day. We never cover those. We never cover TE's either. UNC has a good one, I was surprised he was not utilized more.
We lost two more starters today during the game (LB Maddox and CB Bryd), saw 'em in braces on crutches later during the game. Wow. We are long over due for some good health.
On a good note for you guys, Nashville is much more fun than Orlando or Jacksonville. All else being equal, I'd take Nashville out of those 3.
See you all Kenan next year.
Seriously
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 01:01 — willncsuThis is the worst run of injuries I have ever seen by any team going back about 3-4 years. TOB did the best he could with what he had this year.
Thank you...
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:49 — mad_maxfor being classy and gracious even after a loss, and for your best wishes towards coach Bible. Indeed, Wilson played lights out today, though I don't think he was a time bomb waiting to go off all season. I feel like Wilson has played well for the majority of the season...he came into the game 5th in the nation in TD passes. Good luck in the bowl game and next year...State won't beat you guys forever. Feels so good for us to return the favor of putting up three in a row on y'all though.
Wilson
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 19:19 — Heels20He's definitely played well all season, but outside of the Pitt game, he hasn't really flat out taken over and single-handedly won games the way he did last year. Today, he stepped up and did that. The win could have just as easily been 35-27, but you guys ran the ball to keep the clock running (which was obviously the smart decision). It was frustrating because I feel that our coaching staff didn't recognize him for what he is: the best play-making QB in the ACC. I think he'll probably decide to end his football career after today, but then again I also thought the Heels would win today, so what do I know? Whatever he decides, I wish him the best and I'll be watching him this Spring on the baseball field.
Wilson
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 00:56 — willncsuI hear he is sticking around next year. Look at his numbers, they are ridiculous. Even better than last year. No one noticed because our D gave up so many points that he couldn't win games for us on his own. Second best player in the league behind spiller. No one else is close.
Don't worry Walmart nation
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:25 — ncsfeddieThey are still selling unc gear and you still have Roy Williams. Maybe next year your multi-million dollar coach can finally beat your biggest football rival. GO PACK!!!
OOPs CORRECTION
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:12 — PACK_MIKE7741-10...my bad!
UNC blames refs...........the third year in row!
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:10 — PACK_MIKE77When did it become illegal to hit the quarterback after crossing the line of scrimmage while the quarterback was still in bounds?
That is ok. It is just another game. Butch doesn't care. Have fun in Charlotte.
28-27 41-20(Beatdown) 31-27
CAROWHINA at its best!!
That was also
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 00:51 — willncsua terrible call.
Game ball
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:00 — jbsanibelIs it true that The Wolfpack coaches awarded the game ball to the refs for 10 plays that netted 122 yards while The Tar Heels only had 5 plays for 40 yards? ACC refs are worse than the SEC refs in Homecooking. Wow! What a Fix! The 5th best defense in the nation and no holding calls on the Cheatpack! Go Gators! Glad ACC refs aren't calling that game!
Awww, don't be a sore loser
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:36 — mad_maxAwww, don't be a sore loser kid. Fixed? If anyone got shafted in this game by the refs it was State. It's not the refs fault that UNC wanted to pass interfere on almost every play. I can think of three plays off the top of my head that UNC got away with murder...late hit out of bounds? block in the back? no pass interference on Wilson's third TD pass? You sir, are an idiot. Don't post here anymore, unless you want to look like more of a whiny douchebag.
The late hit no call
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 00:50 — willncsuwas ridiculous.
Great Win for the Pack
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 17:34 — jrsrGreat job TOB to get the team ready!! It would have been easy for the plays to get down with the disappointing season, all of the injuries, and the loss of Bible on the sidelines! Now maybe the tarheels will go to the muffler bowl in Charlotte.
Some small part of me felt bad for Yates to loose again to the Pack since it his last season........ OK I am over that.
Great game
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 17:26 — roiGlad to see the Wolfpack end the season on a high note. What an exciting game !
Go Pack !
Congrats to the Pack. I
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 17:10 — GoHeels1984Congrats to the Pack. I thought that UNC would be more than ready for this game. The Heels certainly shot themselves in the foot many times in the 1st half with penalties and an end zone fumble which should have made it a comfortable lead in the half and a sure victory for the Heels. However, the Wolfpack held their composure when the Heels didn't and capitalized. Nice win. Hope you get to enjoy watching the Heels play in another bowl game. And... yes, basketball season is here now. Go Heels!!!
How does the crow taste? ...
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 15:59 — wsphutch... if this is the same blogger who gave me this gem last week:
Wow. Class comment from
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 18:38 — tjfooseWow. Class comment from you about the 'Pack. Noted.
Good luck in your bowl game.
Congrats to TOB and the Pack
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 16:59 — JPDOhioGood to get a solid win at the end of a disappointing season. Now State can go into the offseason on a high note and get to work on getting people healthy and working to improve next year.
Although it happened early, I think Houston's fumble at the goal line was the key play at the game. If UNC scores there, I could envision the Pack falling apart. Thankfully, State dodged that bullet and avoided the mistakes that have killed them throughout the season.
So, good luck to the graduating seniors and congratulations to the Pack on a thrilling win. Should be a little easier for the returning players to hit the weight room and to start preparing for next year. It will come up fast.
Congratulations NCSU
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 16:42 — PeterTompkinsA great game for the Wolfpack! Good to keep the rivalry strong. Congrats! - UNC grad
Congrats to NCSU's players, coaches, and fans.
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 16:38 — UNC1998They played their best ball of the year. UNC did not. I hope the rivalry continues to bring this type of excitement in the future. UNC has some soul searching to do on defense. The offense kept them in it for once. The defense must bounce back in the bowl or UNC may lose again. Again, congratulations to NCSU's players, coaches, and fans.