Quick hits from NC State football win over Florida State

Here are quick hits and notes from NC State football’s 28-14 win over Florida State in front of a crowd of 50,835 fans at Doak Campbell Stadium on a seasonably chilly Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

NC State Football Holds Florida State To Season Lows

There were a couple of first-time starters this season on NC State football’s defense.

Junior nickel Tyler Baker-Williams was unavailable due to what head coach Dave Doeren termed a short-term injury. He was replaced by second-year freshman Joshua Pierre-Louis.

Also, the Pack elevated second-year freshman Devon Betty into a starting role over sophomore Jaylon Scott at the weakside linebacker spot.

Despite being down five starters at the beginning of the game and then losing a sixth when sophomore defensive end Savion Jackson went down with an apparent knee injury in the first half, the Pack still held Florida State scoreless before halftime.

It is the first time since 2015 that the Wolfpack held an opponent on the road without a point through two quarters since playing at Boston College in 2015.

Overall, NC State held FSU to a season-low in rushing yards (38) and total yards (233). The prior lows were 65 yards on the ground in its opener against Notre Dame and 241 total yards vs. Massachusetts.

The Seminoles averaged a meager 3.8 yards per play, and FSU was just 2 of 16 on third downs, a season-worst 12.5 percent.

They came into the game averaging 209.6 yards rushing per game, 391.9 total yards and 6.1 yards per play, and converting over 41 percent on third downs.

New Cast Sets Career Highs On Offense

NC State’s three-leading receivers on the season are senior Emeka Emezie, redshirt junior Thayer Thomas and redshirt freshman Devin Carter.

Against Florida State, they combined to catch three passes for 11 yards.

Yet, redshirt sophomore quarterback Devin Leary still threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, which came on a Hail Mary to end the first half, ending his streak of 228 consecutive throws without a pick.

How did Leary do it?

The H-back duo of redshirt sophomore Trent Pennix and redshirt freshman Christopher Toudle each caught a TD pass. Pennix nearly had his first career 100-yard game with three receptions for 97 yards, including a 45-yard score. Toudle had a personal-best four catches for 42 yards and a TD.

Redshirt senior C.J. Riley added the longest reception of his career with a 62-yard touchdown catch to start the scoring, among his three receptions for a career-best 77 yards.

Second-year freshman receiver Porter Rooks caught a career-high five passes for 39 yards.

NC State Football Freshman Watch

Players in the 2020 and 2021 classes, both listed as freshmen on the roster because eligibility was frozen a year ago, can play up to four games and preserve their redshirt status.

The following players in the freshman class with asterisks by their names played on Saturday.

We will keep track of this list throughout the season to see who burns their redshirt. Thus far Betty, Pierre-Louis, Rooks, defensive back Devan Boykin, receiver Anthony Smith, defensive lineman Davin Vann and corner Aydan White have officially played more than four games and cannot redshirt.

Safety Devan Boykin (class of 2020) — 9 games played*

Receiver Porter Rooks (class of 2020) — 9*

Receiver Anthony Smith (class of 2020) — 9*

Defensive lineman Davin Vann (class of 2020) — 9*

Cornerback Aydan White (class of 2020) — 9*

Nickel Joshua Pierre-Louis (class of 2020) — 8*

Linebacker Devon Betty (class of 2020) — 7*

Quarterback Ben Finley (class of 2020) — 4

Receiver Julian Gray (class of 2021) — 4

Tight end Ezemdi Udoh (class of 2020) — 4

Cornerback Nate Evans (class of 2021) — 3*

Linebacker Caden Fordham (class of 2021) — 3

Linebacker Jayland Parker (class of 2020) — 3

Linebacker Jordan Poole (class of 2021) — 3*

Running back Demie Sumo (class of 2021) — 3

Safety Sean Brown (class of 2021) — 2

Receiver Jalen Coit (class of 2020) — 2

Center Lyndon Cooper (class of 2021) — 2

Receiver Joshua Crabtree (class of 2020) — 2

Defensive lineman Claude Larkins (class of 2020) — 2

Offensive lineman Patrick Matan (class of 2020) — 2

Quarterback Aaron McLaughlin (class of 2021) — 1

What The Win Means

NC State football is 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the ACC, while Florida State falls to 3-6 and 2-4.

Florida State leads the all-time series, 27-15, including 16-6 in games in Tallahassee, but the Pack has now won 4 of 5 against the former national powerhouse program.

It is the first time since the famous 2002 Gator Bowl team that the Wolfpack beat both Clemson and Florida State in the same year.

NC State is assured of at least a .500 record in the conference for the fourth time in five years, as well.

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