© NCSU Student Media 2011
Redshirt senior linebacker Terrell Manning sacks Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner during the team's game at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. Manning led the Pack with 11 tackles as State defeated the Tar Heels, 13-0, for its fifth consecutive win in the rivalry. Photo by Brent Kitchen.
After a war of words between N.C . State and UNC head coaches Tom O’Brien and Everett Withers concerning the academic integrity of the institutions hyped the anticipation of the rivalry to new heights, NCSU won the war on the field with a 13-0 victory over the Tar Heels.
This win gives State its fifth straight win in the series and the first shutout in the same time period.
The State offense was characterized by methodical drives and short passes down the field. Redshirt junior quarterback Mike Glennon lead the Pack down the field on its second drive to a touchdown with a 12-yard pass to senior receiver T.J . Graham in the back of the end zone. Freshman kicker Niklas Sade capped it off with an extra point, bringing the score to 7-0 with State upfront.
Sade also completed a drive that went for 30 yards off of 10 plays with a 26-yard field goal down the middle of the goal posts to increase the State lead to 10-0.
N.C . State maintained control of the line of scrimmage for the entire game. In the first half, State got to UNC quarterback Bryn Renner twice by linebackers Audie Cole and Dwayne Maddox.
The men upfront also forced Renner into some questionable decisions in the air, including a pass that resulted in an interception from redshirt junior safety Earl Wolfe. State’s defense along with the noise from the student section also rattled Renner into calling timeouts on two third down plays.
At the end of the half, back-up quarterback Braden Hanson replaced Renner. Hanson completed one pass on two attempts for 16 yards. Renner left the game after completing five of 12 passes for 27 yards.
The score remained at 10-0 going into halftime.
Renner returned in the second half, but UNC wasn’t able to build any momentum from his return.
Sophomore cornerback David Amerson made his presence felt by getting an interception in the end zone in the third quarter. Amerson’s pick broke State legend Art Rooney’s record with nine interceptions.
Glennon capitalized on this momentum by throwing a 54-yard strike to redshirt junior receiver Tobias Palmer to put the Pack down to the 14-yard line. The drive ended with a 24-yard field goal from Sade, putting the score at 13-0.
Glennon finished the game with 164 yards in the air with one touchdown.
Junior halfback James Washington lead the Pack on the ground with 110 yards.
Renner was again shaken up by the NCSU front seven, and this time linebacker Terrell Manning finished the play with a sack, resulting in a loss of 12 yards.
At the end of the third quarter, Hanson replaced Renner again after suffering from concussion-like symptoms. He did not return to the game.
The shutout was sealed on UNC’s final offensive play, in which Hanson’s pass was swatted and intercepted by redshirt sophomore defensive end Darryl Cato-Bishop, leaving the final score at 13-0.
At the conclusion of the game, the State football team and coaching staff walked over to the student section at the north end zone to join them in singing the Red and White song.