North Carolina State rally past Florida State
Late TD pass, recovered fumble beat ranked rival
RALEIGH, N.C. – Russell Wilson threw a fourth-down touchdown pass to George Bryan with 2:40 left to help North Carolina State rally from a big halftime deficit and beat No. 16 Florida State 28-24 on Thursday night.
Wilson also ran for three scores for the Wolfpack (6-2, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who trailed 21-7 at the break before ending a three-game losing streak to the Seminoles (6-2, 4-1). With the win, N.C. State surpassed its victory total from last season while earning a key victory in a matchup of Atlantic Division contenders.
Trailing 24-21, the Wolfpack drove to the FSU 1-yard line and appeared to have a winning score within easy reach. But the Seminoles stopped Wilson on a pair of sneaks, then stuffed James Washington’s leap over the line on third down. The Wolfpack appeared ready to kick a field goal, but called timeout and sent the offense back out on the field. This time, Wilson rolled to his right on a play-action fake, then found Bryan alone near the back of the end zone for the 28-24 lead.
Christian Ponder nearly rallied the Seminoles, driving them to the N.C. State 4 in the final minute. But on what looked like a play-action fake, Ponder fumbled when tailback Ty Jones appeared to bump him as he ran by.
N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving pounced on the loose ball at the 9 with 48 seconds left.