News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

Staff video by Scott Sharpe

• First Look
• Video: Pack celebrates win
• Video: Wilson sets up Pack's first TD

RALEIGH — Russell Wilson's magic has N.C. State bowling for the first time since 2005.

Wilson's two touchdown passes and a spectacular touchdown run led the Wolfpack a 38-28 win over Miami.

State began the ACC season 0-4 but closed 4-0 with Wilson's impeccable decision-making and knack for the big play.

The freshman quarterback finished the game with 220 yards passing and 58 rushing. He hasn't thrown an interception in 226 attempts (at Clemson on Sept. 13).

State, 6-6, will have to wait until after the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 6 to find out their bowl destination but with the hot finish and perhaps the ACC's best player, the Wolfpack will find a postseason home.

Charlotte (Dec. 27 vs. Big East team) and Washington (Dec. 20 vs. Navy) are the bowl slots that make the most sense for State, but at 4-4, the Wolfpack is eligible to be selected for any ACC tie-in except the Orange Bowl.

"To be in the situation we were in and to overcome everything this team has had to overcome, it's almost mind-boggling to think we're at this point right now," State coach Tom O'Brien said. "We're playing the best of any team in this conference."

Wilson did everything humanly possible to get them there. His 32-yard touchdown pass to Owen Spencer, and 2-point conversion to Jamelle Eugene, allowed State to regain a 28-21 lead.

N.C. State was trading field goals for touchdowns and paying for it. Josh Czajkowski finished with three field goals.

Miami led 21-20 at 6:58 in the third quarter after Javarris James' second touchdown run.

State had first-and-goal on two possessions, but settled for field goals. State led 17-14 and 20-14 but James' second TD erased the advantage.

Miami's penchant for the big play is offsetting a huge ground game by Wilson.

Wilson weaved through the Miami defense for a spectacular 29-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and threw for a touchdown pass on the first quarter.

On second-and-26, after Wilson had bobbled the shotgun snap on first down, Wilson out-ran Miami's pressure to the right sideline, then cut back all the way across the field, speeding by Miami's secondary, with a nice block from receiver Owen Spencer for fourth rushing touchdown of the season.

A rare N.C. State interception gave Miami life and the lead.

James' 1-yard touchdown put the Canes in front of the Wolfpack 14-7 at 13:09 in the second quarter.

State hadn't throw an interception since the South Florida game, a span of six games.

Andre Brown attempted a halfback pass to Owen Spencer and was picked off by Miami safety Brandon Harris.

State's defense picked off Miami's two quarterbacks four times to make up for Brown's one mistake.

Miami, which had tied the game at 7 on the previous possession, drove 45 yards after the turnover to take its first lead of the game.

State came out breathing fire. Wilson led the Wolfpack on a 96-yard drive, capped with a 2-yard TD pass to Brown, to give State a 7-0 lead over Miami at 7:42 in the first quarter.

Wilson ran for 41 yards, including 29 on one scramble, to set up State's first touchdown.

Miami evened the score at 7 on Robert Marve's 69-yard touchdown pass to Dedrick Epps at 3:50 in the first quarter.

Coming off a 41-23 loss at Georgia Tech, the Canes were trying to recover from blowing the Coastal Division title in spectacular fashion on national television last Thursday.

Coach Randy Shannon started Marve at quarterback, despite the fact that Jacory Harris has repeatedly outplayed Marve. The Canes also started third-string running back Derron Thomas over Graig Cooper and James.