N.C . State handed Central Michigan University a 38-24 loss to record its first win over a FBS school this season.
In a see-saw performance, which saw the Pack offense and defense take turns in showing glimpses of their class, N.C . State (3-3, 0-2 ACC) put in one of its best performances of the season to reach the .500 level mark for the first time this season since their loss to Cincinnati more than two weeks ago.
State looked bright from the very first drive. Following a 42-yard kickoff return from senior receiver T.J . Graham, the Wolfpack had an eight-play, 48-yard drive that ended in an 18-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Mike Glennon to senior tight end George Bryan.
The Chippewas from Central Michigan, coming off a 48-41 win against Northern Illinois, looked set to test the Wolfpack , who were on a two-game losing streak, after quarterback Ryan Radcliff threw for a touch down almost immediately to tie the score.
N.C . State, under pressure after a string of performances that have left a lot to be desired, was quick to respond as Mike Glennon was on fire in a series of plays, which included a 47-yard pass to T.J . Graham and culminated in a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jay Smith.
The Pack defense, after numerous injuries decimated most of the defensive line, again faltered as the Chippewas were quick to strike back with T.J . Graham fumbling to hand the ball back to Central Michigan on the State 25-yard line. Radcliff grabbed the opportunity as he threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 14-14 entering the second quarter.
Come second quarter, the defense showed no signs of improving, as the Chippewas made play after play, and finally took the lead with a David Harman field goal. That finally seemed like the wake up call N.C . State needed, as it was all Glennon after that who made some impressive decisions and threw accurately to put the Wolfpack back on track.
Glennon put the pack up 21-14 with a two-yard pass to receiver Steven Howard, and got a chance to put the Wolfpack up by 14 after linebacker Terrell Manning caught an interception to hand the ball back to the offense. Glennon obliged and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-14.
The Pack defense was charged up as corner back David Amerson caught his fifth interception of the year to take the national lead in interceptions caught, and suddenly the Wolfpack looked set to run away with the game with safety Brandon Bishop following suit with his third interception of the year.
State started the fourth quarter strong and made the score 35-14 after a two-yard rush by halfback James Washington, who had his second successive 100-yard game, resulted in another Wolfpack touchdown.
The Chippewas threatened a comeback with a 77-yard touchdown run with 8:18 to play but their attempts were thwarted when Amerson caught his second interception of the evening at the State end zone after the Chippewas had recovered the ball on the State 41-yard line earlier.
Quarterback Mike Glennon ended the game with 244 passing yards and threw for a career-best equaling performance of four touchdowns and showed the maturity that Wolfpack fans had been craving to see all season.
State will be in action next when they travel to Virginia on Oct. 22.
