When the names of Nate Irving and Russell Wilson are discussed in the realm of State football, their final Thursday night battle will be difficult to ignore. 

As the Power Sound of the South faced the student section to perform “Thriller” at halftime, the Wolfpack trailed No. 16 Florida State 21-7. At night’s end, the men in red would be running over to the same corner of the field to celebrate a massive 28-24 victory that kept ACC Atlantic dreams alive. 

While Wilson’s stat line comes off as pedestrian compared to several other games in his career, it was guts, leadership and clutch plays that overwhelmed any black-and-white numbers. Three rushing touchdowns, including a 20-yard gallop on a critical 3rd and 8 play, set up the eventual game-winning score. That TD, which came on a 4th and goal on the Seminoles’ 1-yard line, was a play action pass in the back of the end zone to a jubilant George Bryan. Wilson accounted for all four of the Pack’s scoring plays in front of the nationally-televised audience. 

Irving, on the other hand, finished the ‘Noles off in thrilling fashion. Attempting the same play action pass that State had connected on moments earlier, QB Christian Ponder fumbled the ball away at State’s 8-yard line with 48 seconds remaining. Irving pounced on it and sent droves of Pack fans screaming down Hillsborough.