Offensive explosion, timely forced turnovers propel NC State past Marshall
NC State kicked off against Marshall shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. More than 4 hours later, the Wolfpack finished an explosive matchup with a 48-41 win.
Sophomore MJ Morris made his first appearance of the 2023 season, tossing 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions for a career-high 265 yards. NC State moves to 4-2 on the season with the win over the Sun Belt opponent.
TheWolfpacker.com will keep track of all of the highlights and key moments from today’s contest here.
NC State vs. Marshall live update blog
FOURTH QUARTER
6:05
FINAL: NC State wins 48-41.
6:01
The Wolfpack recovers the onside kick and goes 3 and out. Marshall is out of timeouts and has the ball at its own 3 yard line with 51 seconds to go.
5:54
Marshall completes a 16 -yard TD pass to make this a 48-41 game with 1:29 left. The Herd still has all 3 timeouts.
5:34
Touchdown NC State.
Kevin Concepcion caught the pop pass and took it 8 yards to the end zone after an interception by Kennedy. The Pack leads 48-34.
5:26
Concepcion takes another pop pass into Marshall territory. The drive stalled after a brief appearance from Brennan Armstrong, and Narveson hit the 27-yard field goal. NC State leads 41-34 with 7:03 to go in the game.
5:18
Facing 3rd and 4, Aydan White defends a Marshall deep pass perfectly to force a punt. NC State takes over at its 46 with 10:19 left in the game.
5:13
Robert Kennedy forces and recovers a fumble to give the Pack the ball at its own 48, but the offense goes 3 and out. Marshall ball at its own 14 with 11:41 left in the game.
5:01
Morris connects with Terrell Timmons Jr. on a deep pass into Marshall territory, and the drive ends in a 40-yard field goal for Brayden Narveson. NC State extends its lead to 38-34 with 14:44 left in the third.
THIRD QUARTER
4:55
END OF 3Q: NC State leads 35-34 with the ball down to Marshall’s 23 yard line.
4:51
Facing third and goal, Noah Potter trips up the quarterback and forces a 26-yard field goal. NC State holds a 35-34 lead with 1:24 left in the third.
4:43
Touchdown NC State. Morris finds a wide open Pennix for a 62-yard TD pass. The Pack leads 35-31 with 6:43 left in the quarter.
4:36
Cam Fancher completes a 28-yard touchdown throw to Jayden Harrison. Marshall leads 31-28 with 7:31 left in the quarter.
4:29
Touchdown NC State.
Michael Allen breaks off a 37-yard run to help the Pack retake a 28-24 lead with 9:03 left in the third.
4:25
Savion Jackson and Davin Vann combined for a fourth down sack to force a turnover on downs. NC State’s ball at its 42 yard line.
4:18
MJ Morris overthrew a second down pass for his third interception of the game. Marshall takes over at NC State’s 45.
SECOND QUARTER
3:55
HALFTIME: Marshall leads 24-21
NC State went 3 and out and punted on its final drive of the quarter.
3:49
Touchdown Marshall. Fancher ran the ball in from 4 yards out. The Herd leads 24-21 with 31 seconds left in the half.
3:46
Timeout NC State. Marshall has the ball down to the Wolfpack 4 with 38 seconds left in the half.
3:41
The Pack runs 3 times and punts after a 3 and out. A 37 yard punt leads to Marshall taking over at its own 34 with 1:49 left in the half.
3:37
Marshall drove deep into Wolfpack territory, but a sack by Wilson halts the drive and forces a 43-yard field goal. Marshall hits attempt, and NC State still leads 21-17 with 2:34 left in the half.
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3:29
The Pack quickly goes 3 and out, and Marshall retakes possession at its own 40 after a kick catch interference foul.
3:24
Following a quick 3 and out by Marshall, Coit returns the punt 17 yards up to the Wolfpack 35 with 7:52 left in the half.
3:17
Touchdown Wolfpack. After Davin Vann forced a fumble recovered by Payton Wilson, the Pack completes a 39 yard scoring pass to Trent Pennix. NC State leads 21-14 with 9:45 left in the half.
3:10
Touchdown NC State. Delbert Mimms III runs it in from 18 yards out. Morris and Concepcion connected 3 times on that drive to help set up the score. The game is tied at 14 with 11:43 left in the half.
3:03
Vann makes a tackle to force a punt that Coit returned 15 yards to set the Pack up at its own 45.
FIRST QUARTER
2:58
END OF 1Q: Marshall leads 14-7.
2:56
The Pack picked up 1 first down, but the drive quickly fizzed. Marshall has the ball back at its 29.
2:48
Marshall blows up a screen play and returns an interception for a 27-yard touchdown. The Herd leads 14-7 with 2:57 left.
2:46
NC State forces a turnover on downs after a Marshall miscommunication.
2:39
NC State quickly goes 3 and out, and Marshall takes over at the Wolfpack 35 after a bad punt.
2:35
Marshall picked up 1 first down near midfield, but a Red Hibbler sack stops the drive. Jalen Coit catches the punt at NC State’s 24 with 6:01 left in the quarter.
2:30
Touchdown NC State.
The Pack drove down the field thanks to a few Michael Allen rushes, and MJ Morris’ first completion is a 17-yard scoring pass to Kevin Concepcion.
2:24
Keyon Lesane fielded a short kick and returned it into Marshall territory. Then, Michael Allen bounced outside for a 14 yard rush down to the 27.
2:19
Rakeim Ashford is out for the remainder of the game, per NC State.
2:18
Marshall leads 7-0 with 11:14 left in the first quarter following a 7-yard scramble by the quarterback.
2:16
MJ Morris’ first pass of the season deflected off Kevin Concepcion’s hands for an interception.
2:13
A third down pass by Marshall falls incomplete. Robert Kennedy registers a QB hurries, and the Herd punts down to NC State’s 23.
2:05
NC State wins the toss and defers to the second half.
