We have 92,000 fans here to root on the team.
Randy's first pass is just over Billy Kelley's head.
However, he converts a 3rd and 8 by hitting Lennox Franklin across the middle for a 12 yard completion.
They stop us just short of a 1st on 3rd and 6. We connect on a 41 yard FG. Good kick by the Freshman kicker. Randy Collins was 4 of 6 for 35 yards on that first drive.
They have a talented group of receivers and QB, but our DB's are all over them and we force a 3 and out.
We have a short failed drive, and they then put together a 59 yard drive capped by a 2 yard TD run from their HB. 7-3 NC State.
We get back to back holding calls to start our drive which forces us into a 1st and 27. Terrible.
We can't recover from that, and we end up punting from deep in our zone.
Great punt for 57 yards.
End of 1: 7-3 NC State with the Wolfpack driving.
We stop them just outside the 30. They connect on a 48 yard FG. 10-3.
Randy drives us down the field with an 80 yard drive (66 in the air) that ends in a 20 yard TD pass to the now backup TE. 10-10 game.
Pete Myers is absolutely methodical in driving them into our zone, but at our 25, Jonathan Green nails the HB and causes a fumble and then recovers the Fumble!
Randy methodically leads us down the field, but Wes Nelson drops a 3rd and 3 pass. We connect on a 45 yard FG. 13-10 lead for us with 2 minutes left in the half.
SS Don Brookins picks off the second play of their next drive and gets us the ball deep in their turf!
First play, Malcolm Maston jukes out two guys, sprints into the endzone! TD! 27 yarder. Malcolm really has some dazzling moves. 20-10.
Jonathan Green blitzes... sacks the QB, causes another Fumble! Our DT recovers it, but it's halftime.
Halftime: 20-10 lead for us.
Randy's stats at the half: 16 of 22 passes for 147 yards 1 TD. 0 sacks!
They get the ball to start the half. 3 and out.
Randy fumbles on our next drive when he is sacked, but our C recovered it.
We still end up having to punt.
Our defense holds up well and forces a 3 and out.
Randy leads us down the field very methodically, spreading the ball around, but starts holding his leg around the 20. He shakes it off.
Randy connects 2 plays later on a 5 yard hook route with Kelley! 27-10. Randy was perfect on that drive.
On the 2nd play of their drive, Jonathan Green hurts his back making a tackle, and has to leave the game. Brian DeMulling is very nice depth for this situation.
We stop them short of midfield.
Randy leads us on a perfect drive covering 81 yards (73 in the air) that ends with a 47 yard bomb to Chukky Odom! 34-10. I love that Randy used his checkoffs well on that drive, keeping the ball moving with short passes before that long streak.
End of 3: 34-10 lead for us.
We stop them short of the 37, and they miss a 55 yard FG wide right.
We get called for a crackback block and that causes 1st and 25. Randy is sacked the next play for a loss of 3 yards.
Randy throws an interception to their CB which is returned 18 yards for a TD. We intercept the 2 pt converstion attempt. 34-16.
Randy methodically drives us down the field with short passes, until he sees Jerry Jones open deep. He hits him in stride for a 40 yard TD! 41-16.
Lavern Alexnader intercepts the 2nd pass of their next drive. However, Brian DeMulling is hurt on the play. I can't afford to lose both FS's. Hopefully, they are ok.
We run the ball 3 times, and go 3 and out. Only 3 minutes left in the game.
We force them to punt after 5 or 6 plays, and then Malcolm and Wes do a nice job of running teh ball and running out the clock.
We could have scored, but we take the knee just outside the 5 to end the game.
Game over. 41-16 win
Pros: Except for the interception, Randy Collins looked great. He spread the ball around, and we had all of our freshman WR's contribute. The defense played well against a very good offense.
Cons: Jonathan Green is probably the most important defender and he was hurt. His backup was hurt. Hopefully, they aren't serious injuries.