The N.C. State football team dropped its seventh straight game on Saturday, losing 42-28 to East Carolina in Carter-Finley Stadium.
The Pirates (9-2, 6-1 C-USA) dominated State (3-8, 0-7 ACC) on Saturday, racing to a 35-7 lead by the end of the third quarter. The Wolfpack attempted to make a late comeback but failed to catch the Pirates.
Both teams played well in the first quarter, hinting that the score might be close for the remainder of the game. After ECU scored a touchdown on its opening drive, State responded with a 76-yard touchdown drive of its own to tie the game at 7-7. But from that point on, ECU controlled the game. The Pirates scored 28 unanswered points and outgained the Pack 378-240 in total yardage in the first three quarters.
ECU’s junior quarterback Shane Carden was a huge reason for the Pirates’ success. Carden threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns with a 76.7 completion percentage. He also scrambled for two touchdowns on the ground to round out his dominant performance.
“Their quarterback, Carden, played extremely well,” N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren said. “He was very accurate like he has always been. The offensive line protects him, and he gets the ball out quick.”
ECU’s junior receiver Justin Hardy broke the Pirates single-season record for receiving yards in Saturday’s game. Hardy ended the game with 83 yards and a touchdown.
Doeren said he was impressed with ECU’s offensive efficiency.
“They’re a team that executes their offense like they’ve been running it for four and a half years,” Doeren said.
By the time State’s offense showed up, late in the fourth quarter, the game was well out of reach. State scored touchdowns on each of its final three possessions, but it wasn’t enough to dig out of a 28-point hole.
Doeren said that he was pleased with his team’s effort toward the end of the game.
“We played to the end, and I’m proud of our guys for that,” Doeren said. “We didn’t make enough plays defensively or offensively in the first half. When we came alive in the fourth quarter, unfortunately, it was a little too late.”
Mitchell was more effective in the fourth quarter. The Amite, La. native had his best game of the season on Saturday, throwing for 312 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Mitchell said he credits the coaching staff and his teammates for his success.
“[Our coaching staff] did a great job watching film and breaking down what they like to do on defense,” Mitchell said, “When you have two great backs like [running backs freshman Matt Dayes and sophomore Shadrach Thornton], you get a lot of one-on-one coverages.”
Doeren said he appreciated the support of Wolfpack fans throughout the difficult season.
“I want to thank our fans for coming to the game the way they did,” Doeren said. “It’s been a tough year for them. I want them to know that we’ll keep fighting and to keep backing us. We have some tremendous seniors that deserve the same kind of support [the fans] gave them today. I want to go out this season with a win for our seniors.”
