The NC State football team finally put an end to a four-game streak of heartbreaking losses as it beat Syracuse 35-20 in the Carrier Dome Saturday.
The Wolfpack (5-5, 2-4 ACC) did an excellent job of stopping the run, aside from the one rushing touchdown it gave up in the first quarter, as it held the Syracuse Orange (4-6, 2-4 ACC) to just 28 total rushing yards. However, the secondary looked vulnerable for the third-straight game as it gave up 190 passing yards to Cuse’s backup quarterback, including one 81-yard bomb early in the second half that cost the Pack a touchdown and kept Syracuse in the ballgame.
Although the secondary lacked, the Wolfpack refused to be outscored on this outing, much in-part due to the efforts of senior running back Matt Dayes. Dayes ran for three touchdowns, and broke the 100-yard mark for the seventh time this season. The star running back, also had some help on the ground from do-it-all junior tight-end Jaylen Samuels who had three rushing attempts, netting a total of 26 yards, and a touchdown midway through the second quarter which helped the Pack reclaim its lead. Samuels score came with 8:40 left to play in the first half and made the score 14-10.
The Wolfpack came out firing in the second half, and attempted to put Cuse away early, as redshirt-sophomore quarterback Ryan Finely threw a 68-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Kelvin Harmon. Harmon’s touchdown grab came in the Pack’s first possession of the second half, and only in the second play of the drive. NC State made the score 21-10 with 13:16 of action left in the third quarter.
However, Syracuse refused to go quietly. The Orange exposed the Wolfpack’s secondary as its backup junior quarterback Zach Mahoney aired it out for 81-yards for a touchdown to stud redshirt senior wideout Amba Etta-Tawo, just 37 seconds into the Orange’s drive.
The Pack just could not find an answer on its next possession, and got its punt attempt blocked. Syracuse recovered the ball at NC State’s 17-yard line; however, the Wolfpack run defense would not let the Orange into the endzone. Junior defensive end Bradley Chubb and and redshirt junior linebacker Jerod Fernandez wrapped up Mahoney as he tried to scramble. The Wolfpack secondary also made two big plays as they forced an incompletion and forced the Orange to have negative yards through the air. Syracuse still managed to put points on the board as it kicked a 39-yard field goal with 10:29 to go in the third quarter to make the score 21-20.
The Wolfpack did everything it could to not have any close calls this time, and scored with just ten seconds left to play in the third quarter. Dayes broke free for a 20-yard touchdown pickup, which capped off a 15-play, 86-yard drive that ate up over seven minutes of clock and made the score 28-20.
The fourth-quarter started again with the Wolfpack holding on tightly in a one-possession game, something that this team is all too familiar with. The defense played great, holding the Orange to just 25 total yards, but the offense struggled to find its groove. The Pack finally scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 13-yard carry by Dayes with just 4:50 left to play, making the score 35-20.
Dayes once again showed why he is one of the most underappreciated rushers in the ACC, and deserves to have his name in the conversation with the league’s best. The star senior accounted for 108 yards on the ground and three touchdowns as he helped carry his team to 35-20 victory and a game closer to bowl eligibility.
With just two game remaining on its schedule, the Pack needs one more win in order to become bowl-eligible. NC State will play its next game, and final home game of the regular season, Nov. 19 against Miami (FL) at Carter-Finley Stadium.
