Game balls from NC State’s win over Northern Illinois
NC State’s defense needed to step up to have a chance against Northern Illinois. And the unit did just that in a 24-17 win over the Huskies on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium.
The Wolfpack limited the visitors to just 3 second-half points in the victory.
TheWolfpacker.com is acknowledging those that sparked the Wolfpack in the victory with four game balls after NC State’s third victory of the 2024 campaign.
LB Caden Fordham: The redshirt junior appeared to rise to coach Dave Doeren’s challenge of playing tough, physical football against Northern Illinois. He was all over the field in the early going, logging four total tackles with a sack and a forced fumble in the first quarter alone. Fordham was up to eight total tackles, including four solo stops, by halftime. Fordham paced NC State’s defense with 14 total tackles, including two for a loss.
S DK Kaufman: Just like Fordham, the Auburn transfer brought a physical mindset to the Carter-Finley Stadium grass playing surface. Even though he dropped a would-be interception with a lot of green grass in front of him, Kaufman made up for it with a sack that forced a fumble and he recovered it for a touchdown. The score marked Kaufman’s second of the season after he logged a pick-6 against Louisiana Tech two weeks ago. He finished the game with four total tackles.
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DE Davin Vann: Like the other two defensive players listed above, Vann brought the boom on NC State’s defensive line. The veteran leader was all over the field in run defense, consistently finding himself in the backfield with ease. Vann finished the day with 10 total tackles, including four solo stops, to go with a team-best 3.5 tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
P Caden Noonkester: Need to flip the field? Call Noonkester to do the trick. The redshirt junior punter was one of NC State’s most consistent players on the field against Northern Illinois. Noonkester placed seven punts inside the 20-yard line on eight attempts. He also logged four boots of 50 yards or more in the victory, averaging 51 yards a punt in the victory. Noonkester recorded a long of 58 yards, which tied his season best (against Tennessee).
