Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder (7) fumbles the ball with 48.3 seconds remaining, N.C. State's Nate Irving (56) recovered the ball to preserve the Wolfpack win. ROBERT WILLETT - rwillett@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH - Just when N.C. State’s hopes for a dramatic win seemed squashed, Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder unexpectedly brushed up against running back Ty Jones in the backfield.
It appeared that Ponder had a chance to throw for the winning touchdown on a tackle eligible play Thursday night. Instead, the contact in the backfield dislodged the ball.
N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving recovered the fumble at the Wolfpack 9-yard line with 48.3 seconds remaining. And N.C. State finished off its biggest win in years, a 28-24 decision over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium that put the Wolfpack squarely in the race for the ACC Atlantic Division championship.
Russell Wilson ran for three touchdowns and threw for another, and Mustafa Greene rushed for 76 yards on 17 carries as N.C. State bounced back from a 21-7 halftime deficit to win.
N.C. State (6-2, 3-1 ACC) set the stage for an interesting finish to the season, becoming bowl eligible and handing Florida State (6-2, 4-1) its first conference loss. The Wolfpack, Florida State and Maryland (5-2, 2-1) share the lead in the loss column in the ACC’s Atlantic Division.
N.C. State started strong with a tackle for loss by Irving on third down to snuff out Florida State’s opening possession followed by a 51-yard drive that ended in a 1-yard Wilson touchdown run.
Ponder, who had suffered a ruptured bursa sac in his right elbow 12 days earlier at Boston College, took control in the second quarter. He ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in the quarter as Florida State outgained the Wolfpack 167 yards to 14.
Just when it appeared Florida State and first-year head coach Jimbo Fisher were about to finish off N.C. State, though, the Wolfpack had a chance to regroup at halftime. In the third quarter, N.C. State got back to establishing the run and a short passing attack that was successful on the opening drive of the game.
With Florida State’s safeties playing back in zone coverage, N.C. State leaned on freshman running back Greene, strung together short gains and marched the ball down the field.
Wilson scrambled for 10 yards and a touchdown, then quickly got another opportunity when Natanu Mageo forced a Ponder fumble that J.R. Sweezy recovered. On a third-and-8 quarterback draw, Wilson found himself alone in the middle of the field and crashed into the end zone on a 20-yard run, tying the score at 21-21.
N.C. State was in position for a go-ahead score when Wilson made an ill-advised pass, throwing right to cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who intercepted at the Florida State 5-yard line.
On third-and-20 from the Florida State 10, wide receiver Bert Reed made another huge play for the Seminoles when he caught a short pass and cut all the way across the field for a 30-yard gain. The play helped Florida State drive for a 30-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal and a 24-21 lead with 9:07 remaining.
But Wilson made a better throw in the face of a blitz on fourth-and-4 from Florida State’s 36-yard line, hitting Darrell Davis for a 35 yard gain. After three runs from the Seminoles’ 1-yard line didn’t gain a yard, coach Tom O’Brien sent the field goal team on the field.
The fans booed. O’Brien called timeout to reconsider, then sent the offense on the field. Wilson rolled right and hit a wide-open George Bryan in the end zone, and the crowd erupted as N.C. State went ahead 28-24.
Florida State still had 2 minutes and 40 seconds to rush down the field for a winning touchdown. It appeared the Seminoles would do so, but then Jones and Ponder bumped, and Irving dived on the loose ball.
Comments
Confession
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 12:39 — SurferWow; surprise, surprise! I watched the first half, but got busy with something else and gave up after that. Guess I am not much of a State fan?, but congrats to the Pack for a win, none the less.
No time to read comments at the moment
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 08:47 — Heels20But congrats to the Pack. The guy sitting next to me at the game started talking blowout at the beginning of the 3rd quarter, but all I could say was "don't count out Wilson." Although it wasn't his prettiest game, Russell Wilson proved once again why he is such a winner. It's no easy road ahead, but NC State has definitely put themselves in position to have a real shot at the Atlantic.
Russell
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 12:55 — JPDOhioI was pretty disgusted with RW at halftime. After the first drive, his passes were all over the place and his decision-making was haphazard. I don't know what happened at half-time, but he came out focused and accurate. Except for the interception, which may not have been his fault, he was spot on. Now, it is one game at a time and take no one lightly.
Yea
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 13:25 — gvillegatrLots of folks hanging their heads and talking about RW at HT. He probably had a heart to heart with himself during HT and recommited himself to his old school ways.
Chalk one up for the Swami.
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 07:33 — unc098Chalk one up for the Swami. Great win Pack. These are the types of games they have to win to reach their goals. Big time win. Congratulations. Unfortunately I didn't get to see this one.
good game
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 01:44 — gvillegatrIt is always different when you are at the game as opposed to seeing it on the tube, but I have to give the Pack credit. They could have given up after the half, but they did not. They chipped away in the 3rd quarter and had it tied, I believe.
When the Pack had the 'Noles cornered on 3rd and mile and they hit that bubble screen that ended up going back across the field for a 1st down, I said "ball game."
Not the case.
I believe they held them to a FG and then promptly marched down the field after a couple of third downs and a fourth down and scored the go ahead. I hit the head (pisser) on the fourth down review and low and behold saw JR Reid at the top of the steps! (crazy, Huh!?) talked shop for a few minutes and got a pic with him. reminded him of his performance in Atlanta at the ACC tourney. what a time! he hasn't changed since I was at basketball camp. great guy.
anyway, FSU marched down the field like everyone thought they would. I was actually watching the TE in the corner (wide open) when the fumble happened. However you want to say it, the Pack was the better team IMO and deserved the win.
RW was the determing factor in the game. He FINALLY decided to break a run or ten and forget about his baseball money. Old school RW. without his decision making, the Pack DOES NOT WIN.
good game.
I was impressed.
On to Howard's Rock for the Pack.............
Familiar faces
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 09:46 — Heels20I didn't see JR Reid, but I saw a few familiar faces. Damon Thornton seems to be working hard on getting back into basketball, as he was chiefin' cigs and pounding beers on his way into the stadium with Jeremy Hyatt. I was also surprised to see Chuck Amato sporting his NC State red (but no sunglasses). Definitely a fun night.
Hmm
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 10:05 — YAR8packI wonder if Thornton borrowed Damien Wilkins' truck to drive he and "RedBone" Hyatt to the game? ;-)
I'm greatly surprised ESPN didn't show Chuck. But with Craig James being too busy on his knees, doing all he could for FSU, it's no surprise.
Thanks & That Rock
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 11:24 — YAR8packThanks for the congrats.
Howard's Rock is going to be one big damn boulder. State hasn't beaten Clemson since 2003. I certainly think the Pack can take the tigers out. To me, the greatest opponent to prepare for will be the swelled egos that may occur over this most recent win.
BTW, I hope Vermiglio is still running stadiums.
OK GO PACK!!!
Big heads
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 12:51 — JPDOhioThat would be the main thing the Pack has to guard against. You would think that after VT, ECU and last night's close call, they should have no problem staying grounded, but they are college kids.
TOB, in his post-game interview, was already talking about the tough road State has ahead and he is right. The Pack can win out, but only if they stay humble and focused. And disciplined. They control their own destiny, which is all anyone can ask for.
Vermiglio needs reminded that intensity is absolutely necessary, but it must be controlled. When you have uncontrolled aggression combined with thoughtless reaction, you get the Pack under Chuck Amato. And we don't want that.
Incredible win. State
Thu, 10/28/2010 - 23:39 — mad_maxIncredible win. State didn't play their best, but they did just enough and got the right breaks at the right times. That game had an FSU win written all over it, or so it seemed.
The biggest play of the game IMO was the go-ahead touchdown on fourth down. I still can't believe they had the balls to go for it with a play action pass like that, and you could see on the replay that there wasn't really a huge window for Wilson to throw it through. Aggressive play-calling always looks genious when it works out, and in this case, I couldn't be happier that it did.
State got a good break with that fumble at the end, but credit is due to this team for sucking it up after the first half and coming right back into the game. Wilson was able to do his thing, despite that INT (maybe it was on the WR, I really don't know), and how fitting was it that the injured Nate Irving was the one to pounce on the game deciding fumble?
have to disagree
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 10:57 — izzykareemThe TD is no doubt what put us ahead, but it was all setup when Earl Wolff made that finger tip tackle two-three plays before the fumble that probably would have been a TD.
Game of inches
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 12:43 — JPDOhioAnd this is just one more example.
Balls and routes
Fri, 10/29/2010 - 09:43 — Heels20TOB's balls were hanging on the ground after that play action call on 4th.
The INT looked as though it was a receiver option, where the receiver read the defense differently than Wilson and it led to confusion. It still seemed like an uncharacteric throw by Wilson, but we've seen that a lot this year.
Gift
Thu, 10/28/2010 - 23:18 — YAR8packGlad for the W. Awesome job of the Pack to fight back to put themselves in a position to reap such rewards. But there's no denying how much of a gift that was at the end.
OK GO STATE!!!
Very true.
Thu, 10/28/2010 - 23:35 — JPDOhioBut State gave FSU a few gifts too, so I think they pretty much cancelled out. That last one was a huge relief though. And I'll take them any way I can get them.
Props to both Ponder and RW. Russell pulled it together in the second half, with the help of some safe play calling and Mustafa Greene running beyond his years. The receivers made some great catches too.
Ponder shouldn't hang his head. That last fumble was a fluke and doesn't take away from the great game he played. Heads up play by Nate to recover the fumble.
Lastly, Jake Vermiglio needs a stiff talking to. When you have the game won, you shut up. End of discussion.
Indeed
Thu, 10/28/2010 - 23:41 — YAR8packWere I a part of the NC State coaching staff, I really think I'd have to make sure I thoroughly haze Vermiglio for his antics. Love the intensity, but not the stupidity. Hopefully he's running stadiums as we speak.
OK GO COW COLLEGE!!!
I wonder if
Thu, 10/28/2010 - 21:58 — HeelsforeverI wonder if the Pack players, like their fanbase, are thinking more about what's going on in Chapel Hill than themselves...
Ok. go wolfpack!
Thu, 10/28/2010 - 21:39 — JPDOhioIt is put up or shut up time, guys.
Russell, forget about your career in the NFL. Use your head and make the smart plays. It seems like you have regressed in the decision making department. Time to get your head back in the game.
Everyone else, calm down. No stupid penalties and just play your position. And, if the ball hits you in the chest, please hang on. You are not out of this game yet.