N.C. State won its fourth straight game in a high-scoring affair against the University of Miami 38-28 Saturday afternoon, giving the Wolfpack its sixth win to become bowl eligible. State was victorious behind more good play from redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson and several explosive plays from senior halfback Andre Brown in his last game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
The offensive fireworks started early for State. After forcing the Hurricanes to a 3-and-out on the opening possession of the game, a 61 yard punt from Miami’s sophomore Matt Bosher pinned the Pack inside its own five. 10 plays and 96 yards later, Brown had caught a two yard touchdown from Wilson to put State up 7-0. Brown accounted for 52 of the 96 yards on the drive.
But Miami did not go down quietly. After not having a first down on its first two drives, the Hurricanes finally broke through. The first play of the drive was a 69 yard touchdown pass by redshirt freshman quarterback Roebrt Marve to junior tight end Dedrick Epps to tie the score.
On State’s ensuing drive, coach Tom O’Brien pulled a halfback pass play out of his pocket. But Brown pass was intercepted and run back to the Pack 45 yard line. A short while later, Miami went up by a touchdown on a short run by junior halfback Javarris James.
“Miami was running over us,” coach Tom O’Brien said.
State responded by marching methodically down the field behind Russell Wilson. The quarterback then finished off the drive with a 29 yard sideline-to-sideline run.
“[Russell Wilson] is exceptional. I don’t know how he sees the plays on the field,” O’Brien said.
Wilson finished the first half with 65 yards rushing.
“He’s coming along leaps and bounds, [his] confidence, poise, athletic ability. We have great flow going on in the offense,” Brown said.
A field goal by redshirt freshman Josh Czajkowski sent the Pack to the locker room with a 17-14 lead.
State came out with the same intensity it had in the first stanza, driving down to the seven yard line to set up another Czajowski field goal.
But Miami showed tenacity, coming back with a quick touchdown to take the lead 21-20.
From there, though, it was all Pack.
After a Wilson pass to sophomore wide receiver Owen Spencer, a two point conversion, a career long field goal by Czajkowski, and a Brown touchdown, State was totally in control with a 38-21 lead. A late Hurricane touchdown finished off the scoring at 38-28.
In addition to Wilson’s heroics, Brown stood out in his final home game in a Pack uniform, finishing the game with 93 yards rushing, 24 yards receiving and two touchdowns. But Brown wasn’t the only senior who stood out on Senior Day, according to Eugene.
“We had a lot of seniors play their best game,” redshirt junior halfback Jamelle Eugene said.
O’Brien thought the same thing about his team.
“This team doesn’t come close to what we were a year ago. Our seniors did a great job,” he said. “I’ve never been on a team that had to come back from so much, and I’m proud of them.”
Now the Pack has to sit back and wait for an invite to a bowl. The earliest invitations will be extended after the conference championship games next week.
“I’m trying to go cross-country, I’m not going to lie. I want to visit the west coast. I want to go to San Fran,” Brown said.
