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UNC |
NCST |
No. 24 NC State stuns NC 34-30 with 2 TDs in 26 seconds
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Too often for No. 24 N.C. State, rival North Carolina has proven to be the thorn in its side - crashing the party in otherwise successful seasons or, more recently, outright embarrassing the Wolfpack in blowouts.
Friday night was shaping up to be more of the same, with North Carolina up 30-21 late and playing spoiler as N.C. State looked to keep hopes of an ACC Atlantic Division title alive. Two touchdowns in 26 seconds kept those hopes alive a little longer.
Devin Leary threw those two touchdown passes in that short span, with North Carolina State recovering an onside kick in between, to stun North Carolina 34-30.
Leary found Emeka Emezie on a busted coverage for a 64-yard touchdown strike with 1:33 left. The Wolfpack recovered the onside kick, then Leary threw a 24-yard sideline pass to Emezie with 1:09 remaining.
''What a football game,'' Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. ''What a game. That's why you play until the last second's off the clock.''
N.C. State (9-3, 6-2) beat North Carolina (6-6, 3-5) for the first time since 2018 to remain in contention for a trip to the conference championship game. It also officially eliminated six-time reigning league champion Clemson from the Atlantic Division race.
The Wolfpack would reach the title game if No. 21 Wake Forest loses at Boston College on Saturday, creating a three-way tie atop the division that would favor N.C. State by virtue of its division record and head-to-head win over Clemson.
Leary finished with 247 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Sam Howell had three total touchdowns for North Carolina, and running back British Brooks ran for 124 yards for North Carolina.
THE TAKEAWAY
N.C. State: The rivalry has rarely been about more than local pride, but the conference implications for the Wolfpack meant an added layer of intrigue for this 2021 iteration.
The Wolfpack jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter but looked dead for much of the night, managing just seven points in the second and third quarters; two touchdowns in 26 seconds changed all that.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels, bowl eligible as of last week, had nothing to play for Friday night except bragging rights - and the chance to play spoiler.
Though Howell, who missed last week's game against Wofford with an upper-body injury, seemed to be running for his life all night, he managed to run for two scores and keep drives alive with his legs.
A pair of late collapses, however - the busted coverage on Emezie, and the botched onside recovery - proved costly.
''I've never seen anything like it. I've got to do a better job,'' North Carolina coach Mack Brown said. ''We've still got work to do, and that comes back to me.''
UNLIKELY ONSIDE
Down two with 1:35 left, kicker Christopher Dunn kicked his onside attempt right down the middle of the field. The ball bounced up in the area of two Tar Heels, who both had a chance at it, but kept rolling until it was recovered by the Wolfpack's C.J. Riley. From there, a pair of 15-yard penalties - a roughing the passer and a pass interference - helped keep the Wolfpack drive alive before the game-winning toss to Emezie.
LEARY'S YEAR
Leary's four passing touchdowns put him at 35 on the season, passing Phillip Rivers' 34 for the highest single-season mark in Wolfpack history. He also leads all quarterbacks in touchdowns against ACC competition with 27.
His last score also gave the Wolfpack a perfect record at home this season, a first since 1986.
UP NEXT
N.C. State: The Wolfpack will be locked in on Wake Forest's noon matchup against Boston College, with a Demon Deacons loss sending N.C. State to its first ACC championship game.
North Carolina: Await bowl fate.
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
S. Howell
7 QB 147 PaYds, PaTD, INT, 98 RuYds, 2 RuTDs |
|
D. Leary
13 QB 247 PaYds, 4 PaTDs, -30 RuYds |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 21 | 21 |
Rushing | 11 | 9 |
Passing | 8 | 10 |
Penalty | 2 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 4-14 | 2-10 |
4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 444 | 360 |
Total Plays | 68 | 60 |
Avg Gain | 6.5 | 6.0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 297 | 113 |
Rush Attempts | 41 | 29 |
Avg Rush Yards | 7.2 | 3.9 |
Yards Passing | 147 | 247 |
Comp. - Att. | 14-27 | 19-31 |
Yards Per Pass | 3.9 | 5.6 |
Penalties - Yards | 7-65 | 8-56 |
Touchdowns | 3 | 5 |
Rushing TDs | 2 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 4 |
Other | 0 | 1 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 6-24.0 | 6-35.2 |
Return Yards | 7 | 20 |
Punts - Returns | 1-7 | 1-20 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
S. Howell
7 QB
|
S. Howell | 14/26 | 147 | 1 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
B. Brooks
24 RB
|
B. Brooks | 15 | 124 | 0 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Howell
7 QB
|
S. Howell | 18 | 98 | 2 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Chandler
19 RB
|
T. Chandler | 6 | 59 | 0 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Walston
84 TE
|
G. Walston | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Downs
11 WR
|
J. Downs | 12 | 8 | 75 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Olson
83 WR
|
J. Olson | 3 | 2 | 28 | 1 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Morales
88 TE
|
K. Morales | 3 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Green
3 WR
|
A. Green | 6 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Chandler
19 RB
|
T. Chandler | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Howell
7 QB
|
S. Howell | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
T. Fox
12 LB
|
T. Fox | 2-1 | 2.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Collins
17 LB
|
C. Collins | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Gemmel
44 LB
|
J. Gemmel | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Vohasek
51 DL
|
R. Vohasek | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Gray
33 LB
|
C. Gray | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. Atkins
17 K
|
G. Atkins | 3/3 | 50 | 3/3 | 12 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. Kiernan
91 P
|
B. Kiernan | 4 | 36.0 | 1 | 44 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Downs 11 WR
|
J. Downs | 1 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
Z. Knight
7 RB
|
Z. Knight | 9 | 69 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Person Jr.
8 RB
|
R. Person Jr. | 11 | 63 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Thomas
5 WR
|
T. Thomas | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Leary
13 QB
|
D. Leary | 8 | -30 | 0 | 8 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
E. Emezie
86 WR
|
E. Emezie | 9 | 5 | 112 | 2 | 64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Knight
7 RB
|
Z. Knight | 5 | 5 | 58 | 0 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Thomas
5 WR
|
T. Thomas | 5 | 4 | 48 | 1 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Pennix
6 RB
|
T. Pennix | 5 | 3 | 26 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Parham
28 TE
|
D. Parham | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Rooks
4 WR
|
P. Rooks | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Carter
88 WR
|
D. Carter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Person Jr.
8 RB
|
R. Person Jr. | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
V. Jones
31 LB
|
V. Jones | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Scott
2 LB
|
J. Scott | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Joseph
99 DL
|
D. Joseph | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Pitts Jr.
24 CB
|
D. Pitts Jr. | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Vann
45 DT
|
D. Vann | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Ingle
10 S
|
T. Ingle | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Dunn
32 K
|
C. Dunn | 0/1 | 0 | 4/4 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. Gill
99 P
|
T. Gill | 6 | 35.2 | 2 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Z. Knight
7 RB
|
Z. Knight | 3 | 22.7 | 25 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Houston
3 RB
|
J. Houston | 3 | 24.0 | 37 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Thomas 5 WR
|
T. Thomas | 1 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | UNC 25 | 1:23 | 3 | -5 | Punt BLK |
13:37 | UNC 25 | 1:25 | 4 | 26 | Punt |
8:07 | UNC 11 | 2:05 | 3 | 9 | Punt |
2:14 | UNC 25 | 3:08 | 7 | 70 | FG |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:11 | UNC 9 | 3:53 | 6 | 9 | Punt |
4:38 | UNC 36 | 2:36 | 6 | 64 | TD |
0:07 | UNC 33 | 0:07 | 1 | -2 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:44 | NCST 23 | 1:39 | 5 | 23 | TD |
8:37 | UNC 41 | 2:34 | 6 | 59 | TD |
0:32 | UNC 25 | 3:34 | 6 | 23 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:16 | UNC 29 | 2:32 | 10 | 67 | FG |
5:28 | UNC 24 | 3:16 | 7 | 43 | FG |
1:09 | UNC 25 | 1:09 | 6 | 45 | INT |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:12 | NCST 7 | 4:05 | 7 | 28 | Punt |
6:02 | NCST 36 | 3:48 | 7 | 64 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:06 | NCST 25 | 3:55 | 6 | 35 | Punt |
6:18 | NCST 35 | 1:40 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
2:02 | NCST 23 | 1:55 | 7 | 44 | FG Miss |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | NCST 25 | 4:16 | 8 | 13 | Fumble |
9:05 | NCST 27 | 0:28 | 3 | -5 | Punt |
6:03 | NCST 27 | 5:31 | 9 | 73 | TD |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:58 | NCST 40 | 1:42 | 3 | 5 | Punt |
7:44 | NCST 28 | 2:16 | 3 | -4 | Punt |
2:12 | NCST 44 | 0:37 | 2 | 56 | TD |
1:35 | NCST 46 | 0:26 | 3 | 54 | TD |
- Blocked Punt (3 plays, -5 yards, 1:23 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) T.Gill kicks 65 yards from NCST 35 to the NC End Zone. Touchback. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 25 (15:00 - 1st) T.Chandler rushed to NC 24 for -1 yards. Tackled by NCST at NC 24. |
No Gain | 2 & 11 - UNC 24 (14:40 - 1st) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell pass incomplete intended for J.Downs. |
No Gain | 3 & 11 - UNC 24 (14:35 - 1st) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell sacked at NC 20 for -4 yards (D.Joseph; T.Ingle) |
Punt | 4 & 15 - UNC 20 (13:45 - 1st) B.Kiernan punts yards to NC 20 Center-NC. J.Houston blocked the kick. C.Riley recovered the blocked kick. C.Riley for 0 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
- Punt (4 plays, 26 yards, 1:25 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
PAT Good | (13:37 - 1st) C.Dunn extra point is good. |
Kickoff | (13:37 - 1st) T.Gill kicks 65 yards from NCST 35 to the NC End Zone. Touchback. |
+23 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 25 (13:37 - 1st) T.Chandler rushed to NC 48 for 23 yards. Tackled by NCST at NC 48. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - UNC 48 (13:12 - 1st) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell pass incomplete intended for J.Downs. |
+3 YD | 2 & 10 - UNC 48 (13:03 - 1st) S.Howell pass complete to NC 48. Catch made by J.Downs at NC 48. Gain of 3 yards. Tackled by NCST at NCST 49. |
No Gain | 3 & 7 - NCST 49 (12:27 - 1st) S.Howell steps back to pass. S.Howell pass incomplete intended for K.Morales. |
Punt | 4 & 7 - NCST 49 (12:19 - 1st) B.Kiernan punts 36 yards to NCST 13 Center-NC. Fair catch by T.Thomas. PENALTY on NCST-J.Parker Defensive Holding 6 yards accepted. |
- Punt (7 plays, 28 yards, 4:05 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - NCST 7 (12:12 - 1st) Z.Knight rushed to NCST 13 for 6 yards. Tackled by NC at NCST 13. |
+9 YD | 2 & 4 - NCST 13 (11:41 - 1st) D.Leary pass complete to NCST 13. Catch made by T.Pennix at NCST 13. Gain of 9 yards. Tackled by NC at NCST 22. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - NCST 22 (11:09 - 1st) Z.Knight rushed to NCST 29 for 7 yards. Tackled by NC at NCST 29. |
+10 YD | 2 & 3 - NCST 29 (10:28 - 1st) D.Leary pass complete to NCST 29. Catch made by T.Thomas at NCST 29. Gain of 10 yards. Tackled by NC at NCST 39. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - NCST 39 (9:51 - 1st) T.Thomas steps back to pass. T.Thomas pass incomplete intended for T.Pennix. |
+3 YD | 2 & 10 - NCST 39 (9:43 - 1st) D.Leary pass complete to NCST 39. Catch made by Z.Knight at NCST 39. Gain of 3 yards. Tackled by NC at NCST 42. |
Sack | 3 & 7 - NCST 42 (8:55 - 1st) D.Leary steps back to pass. D.Leary sacked at NCST 40 for -2 yards (T.Fox) |
Penalty | 4 & 9 - NCST 40 (8:15 - 1st) PENALTY on NCST-D.Betty False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
Punt | 4 & 14 - NCST 35 (8:15 - 1st) T.Gill punts 54 yards to NC 11 Center-NCST. Fair catch by J.Downs. |
- Punt (3 plays, 9 yards, 2:05 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - UNC 11 (8:07 - 1st) T.Chandler rushed to NC 13 for 2 yards. Tackled by NCST at NC 13. |
+7 YD | 2 & 8 - UNC 13 (7:35 - 1st) S.Howell pass complete to NC 13. Catch made by T.Chandler at NC 13. Gain of 7 yards. Tackled by NCST at NC 20. |
No Gain | 3 & 1 - UNC 20 (6:51 - 1st) T.Chandler rushed to NC 20 for 0 yards. Tackled by NCST at NC 20. |
Punt |