The Wolfpack hosted the Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium, and had its first taste of defeat on the season, as it last to the Hokies, 41-30. The loss brings the Pack to 4-1 (1-1) on the season.
N.C. State had an efficient first drive down the field, in which it converted on a fourth and one, for a touchdown. The drive concluded with a touchdown pass to redshirt junior tight end George Bryan.
The Pack’s linebackers showed up in the first quarter for a total of one sack and four tackles for loss by redshirt senior Nate Irving and redshirt junior Audie Cole. But the biggest defensive play of the first quarter came when sophomore safety Brandon Bishop took an interception all the way to the three yard line, where Wilson later completed another touchdown pass to redshirt freshman running back Dean Haynes. The interception was the first by Bishop and the touchdown was Haynes’ first scoring reception.
The second quarter began with a 37-yard field goal by redshirt senior kicker Josh Czajkowski to bring the Pack’s lead to 17-0. The field goal was a bit of redemption for Czajkowski, who botched two field goals in the previous weekend’s matchup against Georgia Tech. Both misses were from 31 yards.
The Pack allowed the Hokies’ star quarterback Tyrod Taylor to burst through the line and scamper 71 yards to get Tech into the red zone for the first time in the second quarter. The run was the second-longest of Taylor’s career. The Hokies then scored their first touchdown of the afternoon on an 11-yard completion from Taylor to Andre Smith.
The next drive for Tech saw the linebacking corps continue its dominance, as Irving hurried a pass from Taylor, and then got his third tackle for a loss with a sack. The Pack then aired the ball out for a 15-yard reception by redshirt junior Jay Williams on fourth and nine.
The drive ended in a surprising fashion for State, as Wilson threw his second interception of the game in the end zone. This marked only the fourth time in his career, and the first time this season, that Wilson has thrown for multiple interceptions in a game.
The Pack went into the half up 17-7, but knowing it had a chance to score a touchdown, or at least a field goal, on the final drive of the half.
State got its first taste of the Hokies’ special teams attack as David Wilson returned the opening kickoff of the second half back for a 92-yard touchdown. VT missed the PAT, which left the score at 17-13.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Jarvis Williams carried the load for State on its first drive of the second half, with two catches of 24 and 34 yards, respectively, with the second going for a touchdown. The second reception also gave Williams more than 100 yards for the game.
Williams was not the only receiver to go over the 100-yard mark in the game, as Owen Spencer finished the game with 145 yards receiving.
The fourth quarter marked the first time the Pack trailed in a game since Western Carolina scored a touchdown on its opening drive in the first game of the season. The Hokies led, 28-27, but the Pack refused to fold.
Czajkowski finalized another scoring drive for State with a 42-yard field goal to bring the score to 30-28. The field goal was the longest of the season for Czajkowski.
State did not have much time to celebrate, as the Hokies would go straight down the field to score a touchdown, bringing the score to 30-34. The Hokies scored one more touchdown following Wilson’s third interception of the game.
The Pack will face off against the Boston College Eagles next weekend at Carter-Finley Stadium. The game time is set for noon.
