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Final: NCSU 24 NIU 17
September 28, 2024
Raleigh, NC- The NC State Wolfpack (3-2, 0-1) returned to action on Saturday afternoon coming off a loss in Death Valley for their ACC opener against the Clemson Tigers. The Wolfpack played host to the visiting Northern Illinois Huskies (2-2, 0-1) and immediately put the previous week behind them. The Huskies too were coming off a loss in the previous week to Buffalo and were seeking to get the win against their former head coach.
NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren, who previously spent 2 seasons at Northern Illinois in 2011 and 2012, sought to get the Wolfpack back on track after opening ACC play on the road. Freshman CJ Bailey made his first career start for the Wolfpack in the 59-35 loss. Bailey showed poise and leadership in his first start throwing for 201 yards and one touchdown on 16-25 passing.
The 2 teams had only met previously just one time in 1997 at Carter-Finley Stadium, a 41-14 victory for the Wolfpack. NC State used 4 rushing touchdowns in that game and another receiving touchdown to pull away from the Huskies. The Huskies earlier in the year were able to knock off Notre Dame in South Bend and were looking for the upset again on the road.
1st Quarter
Northern Illinois would be first up after the Wolfpack deferred to the second half. The Huskies first drive would end in a punt after a 6 play 5-yard drive that saw only 1 first down. The drive stalled after the Huskies failed to convert on 3rd down on an incompletion.
The Wolfpack would take over for their first drive on the 36-yard line. The Wolfpack would take the quick 7-0 lead on the 8-play 64-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run from CJ Bailey. The drive nearly stalled, but on 4th and 1 the Wolfpack pulled off a fake punt to earn the first down. The first down came on a Sean Brown 2-yard run. Noah Rogers would have the big play of the drive, a 34-yard reception, that took the Wolfpack down to the 2-yard line where Bailey would cap off the drive with the TD run. Justin Joly also had 1 catch on the drive for 9 yards that led to the crucial fake punt call.
The Huskies would respond quickly with a 7-play 75-yard drive of their own following the Wolfpack touchdown. Brock Lampe would recover a fumble from Antario Brown in the endzone to even the game at 7-7. Antario Brown was the workhorse on the drive gaining 40 yards rushing including a huge 34-yard run that setup the Huskies in the red zone. Ethan Hampton was effective in the middle passing game connecting with Brock Lampe for a 21-yard catch on the drive.
The Wolfpack would go 3 and out on their next drive as a key holding penalty from Anthony Carter negated an 11-yard Bailey run for a first down that forced the Wolfpack into a punt. The Huskies would end the quarter with another Antario Brown run with the score remaining tied 7-7.
2nd Quarter
After a quick rush from Brown, fireworks would ensue for the Wolfpack. DK Kaufman would fire off the edge and get the strip-sack of Hampton. Kaufman would recover his own forced fumble at the 2- yard line for the scoop and the score to give the Wolfpack the lead 14-7.
The score would remain 14-7 as the two teams traded scoreless possessions until a 37-yard field goal by Kanoah Vinesett would extend the lead to 17-7 Wolfpack. The 5-play 36-yard drive would be aided by a pass interference penalty from the Huskies. The Wolfpack were unable to convert a 3rd and 2 to keep the drive going and would settle for the 3 points.
Once again, the Huskies would respond with a scoring drive of their own. The drive was aided by a 42-yard completion from Hampton to Andrew McElroy. The Huskies took a shot play after earning the 1st down on a Brock Lampe 3-yard rush. Ethan Hampton would connect with Cam Thompson on 3rd down to cut the lead to 17-14 with 1:45 to go in the first half. The 9-play 75-yard drive gave the Huskies some momentum heading into the half with the Wolfpack set to receive to begin the 3rd Quarter.
CJ Bailey led the way offensively for NC State finishing the half 8-12 for 73 yards and a rushing TD. Bailey also led the team in rushing with 5 carries for 23 yards. Jordan Waters was next with 18 yards rushing on 4 carries. Rogers was the leading receiver with 2 catches for 48 yards. Ethan Hampton led the way for the Huskies with 105 yards passing and 1 touchdown. Antario Brown did the heavy lifting with 17 carries for 73 yards.
3rd Quarter
NC State would start the 2nd half with a quick 3 and out, however would get the ball right back on the 1st play of the Huskies drive. Davin Vann would get the strip-sack of Ethan Hampton and Brandon Cleveland would recover the fumble at the 1-yard line. The Wolfpack would punch it in 3 plays later on a 3-yard TD pass to Kevin Concepcion to extend the lead to 24-14. That would be enough for the Wolfpack as their defense would hold Northern Illinois to just 3 points in the second half to seal the win.
Both Teams would remain stingy on defense throughout the rest of the 3rd quarter and 4th quarters with the score remaining 24-14. NC State would finish the 3rd Quarter with just 8 total yards of offense. The Wolfpack defense was up to the challenge though as they were able to hold the Huskies to just 47 yards of offense themselves. Caden Fordham, Sean Brown and Davin Vann would lead the defensive attack for NC State. Fordham had 11 total tackles through 3 quarters. Brown and Vann both had 7 tackles each to finish the third.
4th Quarter
The Huskies would culminate a 14-play 48-yard drive with a 50-yard field goal by Kanon Woodill to cut the lead to 24-17 with 14:46 to play. That would be the only points of the half for the Huskies who just could not come up with the plays needed to win the game.
NC State would be held to just 36 yards of total offense in the 2nd half but playing the field position game and allowing their defense to dictate the tempo proved to be vital for the Wolfpack. NC State would hold the Huskies to 63 yards of offense in the second half and just 18 of those yards coming on the ground. Antario Brown had 126 yards rushing after 3 quarters, but NC State would hold Brown to just 1 yard in the 4th.
Turnovers also proved to be the story of the game as NC State was able to force 4 total turnovers including 2 strip sacks from Davin Vann and DK Kaufman that resulted in 14 points on the board. NC State was able to total 3 sacks on top of the 2 strip-sacks. This was against a stout Northern Illinois offensive line that had failed to yield a sack all year. NC State was able to disrupt the Huskie running game for much of the 2nd half as the defense suffocated the Huskies on their way to the 24-17 win.
Next up for NC State is a matchup with Wake Forest next Saturday at Noon EST on the CW.
