In the Wolfpack’s first ever encounter with the Liberty Flames, the team opened up it’s season on Saturday with a win, 43-21, at Carter-Finley Stadium. The night also marked the first starting debut of quarterback Mike Glennon for N.C . State, who, despite being sacked four times, led the Pack to a victory with a mild 58.1 pass completion percentage. 

The night showed the Pack scoring by committee, with five different players making touchdowns. The Wolfpack , who are now at a .510 win/loss record under Tom O’Brien, had a bit of a shaky showing at the start of the competition, with Glennon being unable to make a completed pass in the first set of downs. After freshman placekicker Niklas Sade put the Pack up by three, the Flames came back and were the first to score with a touchdown by redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Francis Bah.

The Wolfpack came to life in the second half after senior wide receiver T.J . Graham returned a punt for 82 yards to bring the Pack to a 9-7 lead over the Flames. From that point on, NCSU took command of the game with two rushing touchdowns from junior halfback James Washington and one from freshman wide receiver Bryan Underwood. Other scorers included a pass from Glennon to junior tight end Mario Carter and an amazing 52-yard fumble recovery from junior defensive tackle Brian Slay. 

The Wolfpack will return to the field against Wake Forest, away, next Saturday in Winston-Salem.