NCSU 17 – #3 FSU 16
NC STATE FOOTBALL
Joe Giglio (N&O)
State of Euphoria
So much for Florida State’s national title hopes. The third-ranked Seminoles couldn’t even make it out of the ACC.
N.C. State, in an improbable turnaround from a numbing loss to Miami, knocked off the Seminoles, 17-16, at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday night in a repeat of history.
The last time the Wolfpack faced Florida State at home? A win.
The last time the Wolfpack faced a top 10 team at home (last year against Clemson)? A win.
Bryan Underwood’s touchdown with 16 seconds left gave the Wolfpack its 13th win in its past 15 home games, including a pair of upsets over top 10 teams.
Joe Giglio (N&O)
N.C. State stuns Florida State in final seconds, 17-16
Down 16 points to the No. 3 team in the country and the best team in the ACC, N.C. State quarterback Mike Glennon wasn’t ready to give up on the Wolfpack on Saturday night.
After all, in its previous two ACC home games, N.C. State erased a 27-point deficit and beat a top-10 team.
So by the time Glennon delivered a 2-yard touchdown to receiver Bryan Underwood with 16 seconds left for an improbable 17-16 win over the third-ranked Seminoles, Glennon wasn’t so much surprised as relieved.
“It’s not like we haven’t done it before,†Glennon said, a reference to the comeback against Maryland and the upset of Clemson last November.
“It’s a composure that we have. There’s no panic and we just kept playing.â€
AARON BEARD (Associated Press)
N.C. State stuns No. 3 Florida State 17-16
It marked the second straight year the Wolfpack had beaten a highly ranked division rival here. Last season, the Wolfpack upset No. 7 Clemson 37-13 for the program’s first win against a top-10 team under Tom O’Brien.
This game marked the first time a top-five team had come to Carter-Finley Stadium since 1998. And just as in that game, unranked N.C. State upset the Seminoles, who were ranked No. 2 at the time.
The win also changed the race in the ACC’s Atlantic Division. The Seminoles had already beaten Clemson at home, so a win at N.C. State would’ve given the preseason league favorite victories against the two teams projected to be their biggest challengers for the Atlantic Division crown.
As for N.C. State, the Wolfpack knew this was probably their last chance to stay in the division race.
Sammy Batten (FayObserver.com)
Someone forgot to tell Wolfpack it wasn’t supposed to win
Prior to Saturday’s game against No. 3-ranked Florida State, the N.C. State radio crew were replaying highlights from the Wolfpack’s 2010 battle against the Seminoles in Carter-Finley Stadium.
The audio featured a big play by former N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving late in the game that helped seal a 28-24 victory over the nationally No. 16-ranked Seminoles.
Perhaps it was an omen, although nobody would have thought it at the time because you couldn’t have found many outside of the N.C. State locker room who believed a repeat performance was on tap Saturday.
I mean, this was a different situation. A different year. A different Florida State team – one that was being touted as a contender for not just the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, but for the national title as well.
But somebody forgot to tell the N.C. State Wolfpack it wasn’t supposed to win Saturday. Instead of being satisfied with a moral victory against the nation’s No. 3-ranked squad, the Wolfpack refused to settle.
Brett Friedlander (starnewsonline.com)
State’s upset of No. 3 FSU almost predictable because of its incredible improbability
Trying to understand N.C. State football is like trying to teach a third grader the concepts of quantum physics.
It just can’t be done.
There’s simply no way of explaining some of the inexplicable things that always seem to happen with the Wolfpack on an annual basis. It doesn’t matter who’s coaching or which players are wearing the red and white.
Maybe that’s why its loyal legion of fans remains so passionate about its team regardless of the circumstances.
Because every time State loses a game it has no business losing and drives the faithful to the brink of giving up, it knows the Wolfpack is just as likely turn around and do something to bring them right back.
Andrew Skwara (accsports.com)
ACC Weekend Preview, Oct. 5
No. 4 Florida State (5-0, 2-0 ACC) at N.C. State (3-2, 0-1)
When: 8 pm (EST)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: XM 190/Sirius 112What’s at Stake?
Against another heavy underdog, Florida State needs a convincing win in order to best position itself in the national title race. N.C. State has given FSU more problems than just about any ACC opponent. That includes a 28-24 defeat of the Seminoles suffered in their last trip to Raleigh two years ago. The Wolfpack would fall to 0-2 in ACC play with a loss, but pulling off another upset of the Noles would change State’s entire outlook, and shake up the entire Atlantic Division title race.
Key for the Seminoles
Lean on the passing game. The Wolfpack secondary, which was supposed to be the best in the ACC, looks mighty vulnerable after giving up a ACC-record 566 passing yards to Miami last week. That should have FSU QB E.J. Manuel eager to throw the ball plenty.
Key for the Wolfpack
Protect QB Mike Glennon. FSU has one of the best pass rushes in the nation. Tight ends and running backs must help out the offensive line and Glennon must get rid of the ball quicker than usual.
Numbers Game
Florida State leads the ACC in sacks (15) and N.C. State’s offensive line has given up the most sacks (16) in the conference … Florida State’s Cornellius Caradine leads the ACC with seven sacks and Bjoern Werner ranks second with 6.5 … N.C. State posted a school-record 674 yards of offense in a loss at Miami last week … N.C. State receiver Bryan Underwood has caught a touchdown in five straight games … FSU leads the series, 22-10, but N.C. State has won four of the last seven meetings in Carter-Finley Stadium.
Odds
Florida State by 16
Prediction
Seminoles 50, Wolfpack 14 – The Noles and their ferocious defense are a nightmare matchup for a Wolfpack team that struggles to pass block.
Matt Carter (TheWolfpacker.com)
Quick hits from NC State’s win over Florida State
Okay, who saw that coming?
During his weekly press conference, NCSU head coach Tom O’Brien was bluntly asked about how few people were giving State much of a chance against FSU.
O’Brien took some playful shots at reporters, especially the Raleigh News and Observer Joe Giglio, joking that no one cared what the State beat reporter thought, but the truth is few did believe in NC State. The Vegas line grew in FSU’s favor as the week went along.
State pulled off its biggest upset win since defeating No. 2 Florida State 24-7 in 1998. The Pack is 5-2 in its last seven games against a ranked Florida State opponent, and Tom O’Brien is 6-4 against ranked teams at Carter-Finley.
The heroes
There were quite a few in this game. Redshirt freshman cornerback Juston Burris picked off his first career pass, and it could not have come at a more significant time. He intercepted FSU fifth-year senior EJ Manuel on a third and 10 play, picking off a slant pass at the NCSU 30 and returning it 11 yards to preserve the score at 16-3 in favor of FSU with 20 seconds left in the third quarter.
Burris is the sixth different NC State player to have an interception this season. He also intercepted just the second pick Manuel had thrown in his previous 228 pass attempts, and that other INT was off a pass dropped by Manuel’s intended receiver.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Mike Rose made his first career blocked punt a huge one. His block with 2:27 to go in the game gave NCSU the first down at the Florida State 43 with 2:27 remaining, setting up the game-winning drive. Ironically Rose was a sub for injured redshirt sophomore fullback Logan Winkles.
For NC State, that was their first blocked punt since former linebacker Colby Jackson had one against Boston College in 2010.
Redshirt sophomore Bryan Underwood then set NC State history by catching the fourth and goal pass from the FSU 2 with 16 seconds left. Underwood has seven touchdown catches on the year and has received a score in all six games this season. He set the new school record for most consecutive games with a TD catch.
Jacey Zembal (TheWolfpacker.com)
Wolfpack Shocker
Mr. Touchdown, Underwood, extended his streak to six-straight games with a score. He ran a shallow crossing route and read the defense.
“The block punt was really clutch,” Underwood said. “We just used that for energy. Six straight, it is what it is. I wasn’t really thinking about it, but I was just focused to get the team win and showing the world what we can do today.”
NCSU sophomore kicker Niklas Sade had the game on his shoulders, and he drilled the extra point to give NC State a 17-16 lead with 16 seconds left in the game.
Glennon finished going 30-of-55 for 259 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
“We just needed to throw the ball in the second half and get a rhythm going,” Glennon said. “It didn’t feel like we were on the field much in the first half. The [line] did a great job. With three starters down, they gave up one sack to that defense. That’s unheard of. I couldn’t be more proud of those guys.”
Rose said he was simply filling in for injured redshirt sophomore fullback Logan Winkles when he blocked the punt.
“I went in and did what I have to do,” Rose said. “They run a shield punt, which is the same thing that what we do. We go over it and over and over in practice.”
The raucous home crowd also played a key role for the Wolfpack.
“I have to give our fans a lot of credit,” O’Brien said. “We needed them, they showed up and were loud. They can take part in this too.
“We got rid of the Miami thing and focused on Florida State. This is a great win. This puts us right back in the thick of things in the ACC.”
Mike Maniscalco(WRALSportsfan.com)
NC State bad, then good enough to upend Fla. State
The Good:
NC State’s defense: Yes, the unit gave up a lot of yards in the first half (221) and 115 yards on the ground to Chris Thompson, but when they needed to step up they did, forcing FSU to settle for three field goals.
The Pack defense also made FSU QB EJ Manuel uncomfortable and used an assortment of blitzes on passing downs to get to the Noles signal caller. The second half effort by the defense was nothing short of inspiring, allowing just 122 yards and shutting out the Seminole offense. NC State’s defense sacked Manuel four times, picked him off once and paved the way for the upset.
Mike Glennon and the offense in the second half: The Wolfpack QB attempted 42 passes, completing 24 with two touchdowns including the game winner to Underwood on fourth down. The team went to the no-huddle that they felt wore down the Noles front line and gave their offense the chance to move the ball.
Underwood is going streaking: Sophomore wide out Bryan Underwood’s game-winning TD catch gives him a score in six consecutive games. That sets the Wolfpack’s all-time mark. Underwood also took a good shot from FSU safety Terrence Brooks and held on to the ball. The hit drew a penalty for unsportmanlike conduct foul on the Seminoles. He didn’t realize he did it until his teammates reminded him after the game, and he didn’t even bring his green hat.
Special teams: NC State didn’t give up a huge special teams play and, when they had to have one, Mike Rose came up with a punt block that set the Pack up for the winning drive.
The Carter: It was an electric atmosphere to start that was quieted down by the first half. In the second half, when the team needed a spark, the Wolfpack faithful got loud.
Ryan Tice (TheWolfpacker.com)
NC State locker room notebook
Changing of the guard
When starting right guard Zach Allen got hurt last week, NC State replaced him by moving reserve Cameron Fordham in Allen’s place, in addition to bumping center Camden Wentz to the spot, while bring backup pivot Joe Thuney into the game. The formula worked to perfection tonight, while the Wolfpack limited the dangerous Florida State front to just one sack. Before last week, Wentz noted he had not played guard since Pop Warner football.
“It’s still something I’m getting used to,” he said. “As long as they’re asking me to do it, I’m going to keep doing it. Am I completely comfortable with it? No. Did I make some mistakes when I was at guard tonight? Yeah, but I’ve got to continue to progress at two positions now. For us to be successful, I have to do that and I’m going to continue to work hard at it.
“It’s a patchwork offensive line right now, we’re down some guys that have played a lot. But guys are stepping up. We have a redshirt freshman, Joe Thuney, who came in, played against the No. 3 team in the country and held his own pretty well.”
According to Wentz, it was the result of the sum of all parts being greater than the individual parts.
“It wasn’t dominating,” he said of the line’s performance. “It was a group of guys working hard to fulfill one dream. When there were mistakes, we didn’t put our heads down, we didn’t quit. There was always six guys rallying around each other. That’s all we’ve got right now, so we have to be each other’s brothers and continue to progress with what we have. We did what we had to do to win, that’s all you can ask for.”
ESPN
NC State scores late TD, stuns third-ranked Florida State
It was over when… At halftime it looked like business as usual as FSU held a 16-0 lead, but NC State rallied to produce 17 unanswered and shock the Noles.
Gameball goes to… The NC State defense held the explosive FSU attack, led by Heisman hopeful EJ Manuel, to 218 passing yards and 3-of-15 of 3rd down.
Stat of the game… 5-0. The Noles just can’t get past that fifth win. Not since their national title-winning season in 1999 have they started 6-0.
Tampa-Pack (BackingthePack.com)
Tampa-Pack’s ACC Football Power Rankings – Week Six
Welcome back to Tampa-Pack’s ACC (lack of) Power Rankings. Week Six featured a lot of games that did nothing but muddy up the conference standings. Don’t look now but Duke is a win away from bowl eligibility and in the driver’s seat in the conference race.
How about that Wolfpack!?! Freakin’ incredible. Throughout the 4th quarter I was running/jumping/praying/celebrating around the man cave playroom trying to not wake any of our four sleeping kids or my wife. I was watching it, but couldn’t believe it, and once it was all said and done I couldn’t sleep. I just kept re-watching the fourth quarter on DVR replay. Once again the Cardiac Pack makes a return visit. I think I might have even seen TOB crack a smile and do a fist pump! As excited as I was for the win, it makes the previous losses, especially last week, that much more painful. I guess if they run the table, I can forget about last week’s loss. However, I feel just as likely that this team could win out, or lose out. I guess that keeps each week exciting, right? I am happy for the team though, and hope its a springboard for the rest of the season. The ACC isn’t shaping up to be that tough of a conference (to put it nicely) so continuing to play like we did last night should yield success.
Chip Patterson (CBSSports.com)
Quick Hits: NC State 17, No. 3 Florida State 16
HOW NC STATE WON: Credit NC State for making major adjustments on both sides of the ball during the game, and willing themselves back into the game when it appeared like the Wolfpack were done. The Wolfpack defense held the Seminoles to just 120 yards of offense in the second half, thanks to much better play on the edge and more aggressive blitzing from the front seven. The Florida State offensive line looked overwhelmed with the pressure, and Manuel did not have the time to find threats downfield like he did in the first half.
Mike Glennon lived up to every bit of pro hype with his two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter – the latter of which he pulled off with no timeouts. Glennon finished the night with 30 completions on 55 attempts for 259 yards and the two touchdown passes that gave NC State another memorable takedown of Florida State in Carter-Finley Stadium.
WHEN NC STATE WON: NC State kept grinding all game, scraping for extra yards and any opportunities they were given. Because of Florida State’s inability to collect first downs in the fourth quarter, Glennon and Co. were given just one too many opportunities for Florida State to win. The Wolfpack didn’t have it sealed until Underwood pulled in the game winning score with 16 seconds left – their first lead of the game.
Heather Dinich (ESPN)
ACC helmet stickers: Week 6
NC State quarterback Mike Glennon: What a gutsy, thrilling performance by the Wolfpack. One week after committing six turnovers and 14 penalties in a road loss to Miami, the Wolfpack came home and knocked off the No. 3 team in the country with a 17-16 win over FSU. Glennon played like a pro in the waning minutes, and he kept his poise and was right on target with most of his throws. He completed two fourth-down passes inside the 15-yard line, including the game-winner to Bryan Underwood with 16 seconds left.
David M. Hale (ESPN)
Instant Analysis: NC State 17, FSU 16
After last Saturday’s games, Mike Glennon sent a text message to his good friend EJ Manuel, predicting an upset.
It was a boastful claim considering NC State had just looked awful in a loss to Miami (Fla), and Florida State was flying high and ranked third in the nation. Manuel was so amused, he shared the message with his defense as a bit of bulletin-board material.
Turns out, Glennon was right.
NC State’s senior quarterback led a furious assault on the vaunted Seminoles defense in the second half, rallying the Wolfpack from a 16-point deficit for a 17-16 win.
Game ball goes to: Glennon. After being demolished in the first half, completing just 6 of 13 passes for 41 yards with an interception, the senior quarterback was calm, cool and collected in the second half, delivering one big throw after another. Glennon finished the game 30-of-55 passing for 259 yards and two second-half touchdowns, including the game winner on fourth down with 16 seconds left.
Unsung hero: The NC State offensive line. Missing three starters, the Wolfpack’s offensive line stepped up and shut down a rather passive Florida State pass rush. The Seminoles had just one sack, which came early and from a defensive tackle. Fill-in offensive tackles R.J. Mattes and Tyson Chandler managed to keep Cornellius Carradine and Bjoern Werner off Glennon long enough for the Wolfpack quarterback to engineer one strong drive after another in the second half, including three huge fourth-down conversions late.
Bud Elliot (TomahawkNation.com)
Florida State 16, N.C. State 17: Post-game reaction thread
Losses like this can get a coach fired. This is how to lose a fanbase. Not this one in particular, but not enough progress is being shown by this program under the direction of Jimbo Fisher and company.
Five losses to teams as double-digit favorites in 33 games as a head coach. Unacceptable.
First and foremost, credit to NC State. Its defense was better than it played v. Miami, but I did not expect them to be that much better. They got their issues cleaned up.
Everyone wants to jump on the playcalling bandwagon. It was not perfect in the second half. But it’s the execution and player development bandwagon that should be overflowing with panicked Florida State fans.
Coley Harvey (Orlando Sentinel)
No. 3 Florida State upset on late North Carolina State score
Florida State looked into the horrifying, piercing eyes of defeat Saturday night, and tried to live and talk about the experience.
The Seminoles couldn’t.
The haunting, fur-covered eyes of the North Carolina State Wolfpack were too much to look beyond.
“We let one slip away from us,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said.
[snip]
“NC State’s a tough environment,” Fisher said in the days before the game. “They sit down in that pit, boy, and they get loud.”
In the minutes after the game, he didn’t think the noise was much of an issue.
“It was a good atmosphere. They were loud and pulling for their team, but I don’t think that affected us and got us going,” Fisher said. “Once they got in the game, I’m sure they fed off it. But I think it was more us not executing.”
In the closing minutes of the game, the stadium was raucous in a fashion reminiscent to the sounds it emitted during another second-half comeback there in 2010. Rallying from a halftime deficit that year, the Wolfpack beat FSU 28-24 on a goal-line fumble in the Seminoles’ previous trip to Raleigh.
“They both hurt. They both hurt real bad,” said FSU kicker Dustin Hopkins, who went through both games. “Maybe it’s because it’s my senior year, maybe it’s because of the implications of our season, but I just have a feeling that this one hurts more than it did two years ago.”
Asked if the loss hurt more than any loss he had while in college, Hopkins added: “It’s way up there.”
[snip]
“We’ve never been this great of a team since I’ve been here, so it was hard,” senior defensive tackle Everett Dawkins said. “Like I was telling the guys in the locker room — and Bjoern [Werner] was also standing up telling everybody, ‘It’s not over, don’t put your heads down because it’s not over for us.’
Warchant.com
Quarter-by-quarter Breakdown
The House of Horrors delivered another episode Saturday night for Florida State. Ranked third in the nation, the undefeated Seminoles (5-1, 2-1 ACC) fell to host North Carolina State (4-2, 1-1) in another late-developing game.
Florida State led 16-0 at the half, controlling the game on both sides of the ball, save for not cashing in while operating in the red zone. Those misfortunes came back to bite the ‘Noles, who went scoreless in the final 30 minutes only to see senior quarterback Mike Glennon convert on a fourth-and-goal with 16 seconds remaining to seal the defeat.
Running back Chris Thompson was a bright spot for FSU, as the senior ran for over 100 yards in the first half. However, Thompson was stifled like the FSU offense after the break, totaling 26 second-half yards on 11 carries.
Seminole quarterback EJ Manuel turned the ball over on a third and 10 inside Wolfpack territory to end the third quarter in addition to a poor third-down sack with FSU again deep in N.C. State’s half of the field.
The multiple openings provided by Florida State gave Glennon and the Wolfpack offense the chances they needed to secure the upset. Glennon capped off a game-winning 12 play, 58-yarde drive with a three yard touchdown completion to Bryan Underwood in the Wolfpack’s final chance to secure a win.
Fourth quarter
The Skinny: It happened again. Florida State again dropped an improbable game to N.C. State in Carter-Finley Stadium, with Mike Glennon hitting a fourth-down pass to put the Wolfpack ahead for good with 16 seconds to go. N.C. State hit two enormous fourth down tries to gain the late advantage and the win.
Key Play: Facing fourth and goal with under twenty seconds to go, Glennon hit reciever Bryan Underwood with on a late breaking in-route in order to put North Carolina State ahead for good.
Key Stat: Zero. That’t the total amount of points scored in the second half of Saturday’s game.
Key player: Mike Glennon hit on 31 of 56 pass attempts for 266 yards and two scores against one interception. What’s most telling in this game? Glennon was sacked just one time behind an offensive line that surrendered an ACC-high 16 sacks coming into the game.
Paul Thomas (Warchant.com)
No. 3 FSU upset by by N.C. State 17-16
It might not have been a Thursday night in Carter-Finley Stadium, but it sure felt like it for the third-ranked Florida State Seminoles.
Despite a 16-point lead at the half, FSU fell to North Carolina State 17-16 as the Wolfpack dominated the second half. Set up by a blocked punt, Mike Glennon connected with Bryan Underwood for a fourth-down, two-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds left, the Wolpack’s only lead of the game.
A FSU Hail Mary attempt from its own 46 fell short as time expired. The Seminoles fell to 5-1 on the season, saw its national championship chase come to an end and dropped to 2-1 in the ACC with the loss.
“Well, we let one slip away from us,” FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “Give N.C. State a lot of credit, they battled and competed hard in the game. We made enough mistakes in that ball game as far as execution things. So many places to make plays, missed plays, calls from different things.”
Corey Clark (NoleSports.com)
Shocked in Raleigh
It’s never easy for Florida State in Carter-Finley Stadium.
It doesn’t matter if the Seminoles are 5-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country or if North Carolina State is coming off a game in which it allowed an ACC record for passing yards, it’s going to come down to the final moments when the two get together here.
This time the Wolfpack scored with 16 seconds left on Mike Glennon’s fourth-down, three-yard TD pass to rip the hearts out of FSU fans yet again with a 17-16 N.C. State victory.
[snip]
What makes the loss even more stunning is that Florida State actually held a 16-0 lead at halftime and completely dominated the Wolfpack in yardage (221-68). But continuing a trend that started last week against South Florida, the Seminoles had to settle for field goals when they got inside N.C. State territory instead of punching it in the end zone.
Still. A 16-point halftime lead with the way the Florida State defense was playing seemed safe.
It wasn’t.
N.C. State scored the first points of the second half on Niklas Sade’s 27-yard field goal with 6:50 left in the third quarter. Though it was only three points it capped an impressive drive for the Wolfpack, which picked up two third-and-longs in what amounted to a 15-play drive.
And it was the first score for N.C. State against Florida State since Russell Wilson’s game-winning TD pass with 2:40 left in the 2010 game. The Seminoles shut out the Wolfpack 34-0 a year ago.
MULTIMEDIA/PODCASTS
WRALSportsfan.com
O’Brien: Everyone was all in
NC State football coach Tom O’Brien praised his team, his senior leaders and Wolfpack fans for their effort in a win over Florida State.
WRALSportsfan.com
Glennon: Pack found rhythm
NC State quarterback Mike Glennon said the offensive line helped him find an rhythm in the second half against Florida State.
WRALSportsfan.com
Thornton: Great to win with guys you love
For Shadrach Thornton, NC State’s win over Florida State is made sweeter because it is shared with his team.
WRALSportsfan.com
Johnson: Wolfpack, fans have bought in
Dante Johnson said he came to NC State for games like Saturday, when the Wolfpack have a chance to shock the world.
WRALSportsfan.com
Wentz: Practice prepared Pack for victory
Offensive lineman Cam Wentz says the pace of practice this week kept NC State fresh for a second-half comeback against Florida State.
WRALSportsfan.com
Underwood: Read the D to score winner
Bryan Underwood said Florida State left him open to run a deeper route than the call to get open for the game-winning touchdown.
WRALSportsfan.com
October 7, 2012 :: NC State upsets No. 3 Florida St. in final seconds
TheWolfpacker.com
NC State Locker Room Report
TheWolfpacker.com
Video: NC State coach Tom O’Brien and players
Bud Elliot (TomahawkNation.com)
Florida State loses at N.C. State: The aftermath podcast
Warchant.com
Warchant TV: Fisher on the loss to N.C. State
One last thing….
