Faulkner's Fotography
Redshirt Junior Quarterback Jacoby Brissett throws an 8 yard touchdown pass to Johnathan Alston during the game against No. 1 Florida State in Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. Despite a strong start, the Wolfpack fell to the Seminoles, 56-41. Photo by Ben Salama.
The NC State football team pushed the No. 1 Florida State Seminoles against the ropes on Saturday in a potential upset that came up short for the Pack, who lost 56-41. The teams faced off at Carter-Finley Stadium, a venue that has hosted a history of upsets against the Florida State team.
The Wolfpack struck first blood on the second play of the game, as redshirt junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw over the top to freshman receiver Bo Hines on a 54-yard touchdown pass thanks to blown coverage by the Seminoles’ backfield.
The Noles countered with a seven-play, 55-yard touchdown drive commanded by Florida State sophomore signal caller Jameis Winston. On NC State’s 32-yard line, the 2013 Heisman trophy winner completed to sophomore receiver Jesus Wilson in the end zone.
Junior running back Shadrach Thornton ran like a battering ram in the Pack’s ensuing drive. Thornton accrued 41 yards in five carries, the majority of which shoved down the throat of the Florida State defensive front. Thornton capped off the drive with a 3-yard push into the end zone.
“Having a great offensive line like I did to [enabled me to]open up the gaps and basically just hitting the hole,” Thornton said. “Then it was just about my will against their will, and I knew I could win.”
Senior tackle T.Y. McGill sacked Winston in the first play of the following FSU drive and forced a fumble, which was recovered by NC State. The Pack went three and out, and settled for a 37-yard field goal booted by senior place kicker Niklas Sade.
Following a three-and-out by FSU, Brissett punished the Seminoles’ flawed coverage again with 45-yard pass to redshirt sophomore tight end David Grinnage.
The Pack concluded its drive on third-and-six on the FSU 8-yard line. Brissett escaped two tackling defenders in the backfield and completed a near-impossible touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Johnathan Alston.
The Pack outscored FSU 24-7 in the first quarter, the most first-quarter points that the school has allowed in the history of its program.
The Noles were offended by its 17-point deficit, and a 39-yard pass to Wilson and a 4-yard run into the end zone by sophomore running back Karlos Williams gave Florida State a needed breath of life.
The former national champs were able to score consecutively, after Winston connected on a 22-yard pass to senior receiver Rashad Greene, who tiptoed in to tighten the score, 24-21.
The third quarter opened with an agile interception by Fernandez, giving Brissett the opportunity to flaunt his dynamic playmaking ability.
Brissett accomplished a spectacular string of plays, which included a sidearm pass to Thornton while being taken down by multiple defenders, a first-down rush once escaping a defender in the backfield, and a 10-yard gain down the middle, juking two tacklers in the process. The South Palm Beach native capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dayes.
Florida State kept pace, as Winston and the Seminoles offense picked apart the Wolfpack defense with sharp outside passes and efficient rushing. Freshman running back Dalvin Cook darted right through the middle for FSU’s next touchdown.
A bobbled punt return by FSU’s Greene was recovered by redshirt freshman cornerback Malcolm Means, giving the Pack position on the 20.
A 17-yard sweep by freshman tight end Jaylen Samuels and a 10-yard touchdown run up the middle by Thornton gave the Pack a 38-28 lead.
The Noles pushed back yet again. Florida State’s drive was marked by a quick throw to freshman receiver Travis Rudolph, who proceeded to run 40 yards and break three Wolfpack diving tacklers. Winston finished the drive with a 15-yard pass to Wilson.
“The main thing we have to work on is open field tackling,” said junior safety Hakim Jones. “We missed a lot of tackles again this week and they are an elusive team.”
On the third play of the Wolfpack’s next drive, Brissett was sacked and fumbled the ball, putting FSU 5 yards from the end zone. Winston tossed the ball 5 yards to Greene to take the lead, 42-38.
On a rallying drive for the Pack that advanced the ball inside the red zone, Brissett was sacked and fumbled again 20 yards from the end zone, which was neutralized after Fernandez caught his second pick on Winston, and returned the ball inside the 20.
State settled for a field goal, tightening the score to 41-49.
The Wolfpack defense had a chance to stop the Florida State offense on a third-and-11 opportunity, but failed to pressure Winston, who showed off his speed when rushing for 20 yards. The Noles put the nail in the coffin with a touchdown from Williams with a final score of 56-41.
“There is a bunch of guys in there [locker room] that are spent,” said Head Coach Dave Doeren. “We played our hearts out. I’m thankful to our students and fans. They created an unbelievable environment out there tonight.”
Brissett was 32-48, and threw for 359 yards for three touchdowns, while rushing for 90. Thornton ran for 90 yards in 18 attempts, while Hines caught eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.