What they’re saying after NC State’s loss to Syracuse

NC State’s costly turnovers were the difference between its first ACC win and yet another league loss in a 24-17 defeat against Syracuse on Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Here is what those who covered the game are saying about the Pack’s fourth loss of the season.

Ethan McDowell, The Wolfpacker — Column: NC State’s self-inflicted mistakes signal departure from Pack identity

NC State’s defense bent Saturday night, but it rarely broke. The offense drove deep into Syracuse time and time again, making the most of its limited possessions against the Orange and putting itself in scoring position. 

But when the Pack reached the precipice of points, it failed to execute at nearly every critical moment of the game. NC State ended 5 drives beyond the Syracuse 30 yard line over the first 3 quarters and came up with 7 points. 

The mistakes came from a wide variety of places, and the only consistency was the gut punch of each miscue. Kanoah Vinesett missed a 41-yard field goal. NC State turned the ball over 3 times— a sack-fumble on CJ Bailey, an interception on an inaccurate throw by the freshman quarterback and a Kendrick Raphael fumble that ended a 15-yard run.

Each of those turnovers led to a Syracuse touchdown. The Orange scored 3 points Saturday night on possessions that did not follow a Pack turnover. 

Noah Fleischman, The Wolfpacker — NC State’s turnovers cost Wolfpack game in Syracuse loss due to ‘lack of focus’

Winning the turnover battle is at the top of NC State’s program identity. The Wolfpack talks about it on a daily basis, including practicing its ball security drills for its own offense every day on the practice fields a stone’s throw from Carter-Finley Stadium. 

But just because it is instilled in the Wolfpack’s minds each day it suits up in the red and white uniforms, that doesn’t mean it will be executed on Saturdays. And against Syracuse on Saturday night, a minus-three total in the turnover battle doomed NC State. 

The Wolfpack (3-4, 0-3 ACC) committed two fumbles and an interception, which the Orange was able to score 21 points off, cruising to a 24-17 win over the hosts in front of a sold-out crowd of 56,919 in Raleigh. 

“We talk about it every week and the guys know it,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said postgame. “We’ve got to do a better job believing it. The most important thing on the whole field is the ball. There’s a reason they named the game after it. We’re not coveting the ball enough on offense. … We gotta get back to protecting the ball. That’s how you win games.”

Jadyn Watson-Fisher, News & Observer — NC State football stuck in ACC cellar after losing at home to Syracuse, 24-17

Dressed in all-black uniforms, N.C. State players gave high-fives to fans as they entered the locker room. But instead of a celebratory line, the players’ body language made the typical post-game event look more like a funeral procession as the team lost its second straight game this season and the second consecutive loss to Syracuse. 

The Wolfpack fell to the Orange at Carter-Finley Stadium, 24-17, and moved to 0-3 in ACC play — its worst start since 2014. N.C. State is tied with North Carolina for last in the conference.

Mitchell Northam, The Associated Press — Kyle McCord steers Syracuse to 24-17 road win at NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Kyle McCord threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns as Syracuse defeated North Carolina State 24-17 Saturday night.

McCord connected on 31 of 42 passes for the Orange (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), while LeQuint Allen supplemented Syracuse’s offensive attack with 119 yards of total offense and a touchdown on 23 touches. Jackson Meeks hauled in 11 passes for 116 yards and one of McCord’s scores.

“Just thankful that we’ve been able to start off pretty good,” first-year Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. “I thought we gave up too many big plays, but we were able to complement each other… I’m just happy for Syracuse University right now.”

The Wolfpack (3-4, 0-3) were powered by true freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, who completed 17 of 24 throws for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns. Bailey also rushed for a team-high 28 yards.

Chris Carlson, Syracuse — Syracuse beats NC State, sets up showcase with unbeaten Pittsburgh

Syracuse football forced three turnovers and Kyle McCord threw for 346 yards and avoided any major miscues, leading Syracuse to a 24-17 win over North Carolina State at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Syracuse linebacker Justin Barron made an interception and recovered a fumble, and safety Devin Grant forced a fumble with a key safety blitz as the Orange held off North Carolina State. Barron was particularly good, finishing with eight tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss.

The Wolfpack benefited from questionable officiating decisions to score both their touchdowns but Jackson Meeks recovered an onsides kick with 1:32 remaining to end the Wolfpack’s final opportunity.

The Orange improved to 5-1 (2-1 ACC) and head into its second off-week on a high note. When Syracuse returns the Orange will go back on the road again, participating in a high-profile ACC game against unbeaten and nationally-ranked Pittsburgh in a nationally-televised game Thursday night game.