A week removed from settling into its season with a 48-7 win over Western Carolina, NC State passed a much sterner test Saturday night by defeating preseason Conference-USA favorite Central Florida, 28-21. It was the first non-conference road victory for the Pack since defeating the ECU Pirates in Greenville on October 20, 2007.
The story of the night from Bright House Networks Stadium was the opportunistic Wolfpack defense, which forced five turnovers while only allowing 14 points. State’s effort was highlighted by junior linebacker Audie Cole’s impressive 12 tackle, one interception, one sack display. The defense’s leader in tackles a year ago nearly matched his career high of 13 tackles, which came against Virginia Tech last November. With the Pack offense only able to muster 239 total yards, Cole said he and the rest of the defense enjoyed the opportunity to carry an offense that often picked up the slack for the second-worst scoring defense in the ACC last season.
“They’ve kept us in games plenty of times before,” Cole said. “I think we owed them one. Whatever happened, we’ll get it fixed.”
C.J. Wilson’s 43-yard interception return for a touchdown to extend the lead to 28-7 in the 3rd quarter was the first pick of the sophomore cornerback’s career. It was one of three interceptions that starting Knight quarterback Rob Calabrese ended up throwing after he entered the game with a streak of 98 consecutive passes without an interception.
“That’s how our defense works,” Wilson said. “We try to get turnovers and try to get pressure on the quarterback.
The Lincolnton native also noted that DC Jon Tenuta’s blitz-happy approach, which he became infamous for during his days at Georgia Tech, has given the defense a new and exciting dynamic.
“It helps us out a lot,” Wilson said. “The balls are coming out fast and we need to react faster [than before].”
Another theme aside from finishing the game a plus-five in the turnover department was being able to capitalize on those opportunities. Despite a self-admitted disappointing offensive effort, Russell Wilson and Co. were able to convert the first three turnovers that Central Florida committed into touchdowns. After racing out to a 21-0 lead on the strength of Mustafa Greene and Dean Haynes rushing scores as well as Darrell Davis’ first ever collegiate touchdown catch, the offense only managed 85 yards the rest of the night.
The Pack’s offensive struggles combined with strong play from Knights freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey late in the third quarter to keep UCF in the game until Brandon Bishop forced a Quincey McDuffie fumble inside the Wolfpack’s 10-yard line with less than a minute to play.
Coach Tom O’Brien said he was relieved more than anything to escape Orlando with a victory after nearly letting go of a 21-point lead through the third quarter.
“That was a heck of a win for our team,” O’Brien said. “We thought we had things pretty much under control until they brought their freshman in with his fresh legs. The defense hung in there. We had a couple of big, big turnovers and that ended up being the difference in the football game.”
Despite starting 2-0 for the first time since Phillip Rivers led the 2002 team to a Gator Bowl victory over Notre Dame, a quick turnaround, with Cincinnati coming to Raleigh on Thursday night, has the team’s attention. As soon as State wrapped up its first road victory of the season on Saturday night, Russell Wilson said the team’s focus had already shifted to Zach Collaros and the visiting Bearcats. The nationally televised game will be Wilson’s fourth Thursday night start of his career.
“The experienced guys have to lead more than anything,” Wilson said. “We’ve had a few Thursday night games since I’ve been here. The seniors have to step up and tell them what the deal is. You have to get your rest and get ready to go.”
The two-time defending Big East Champions will come into Carter-Finley with a 1-1 record as the Bearcats begin a difficult stretch including a contest against Oklahoma on September 25th.