TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A 49-minute lightning delay, three interceptions and a season-ending injury for running back Andre Brown made for a forgettable night as N.C. State lost 27-10 at Florida State on Saturday.
After going into the half tied 10-10, quarterback Daniel Evans threw an interception four minutes into the second half that FSU’s Michael Ray Garvin returned for a touchdown to put the Seminoles ahead 17-10.
The lightning delay came late in the third quarter, and the Pack could hardly move the ball after that, totaling only 22 yards in the fourth quarter.
“We played so hard, but we still don’t play smart enough,” coach Tom O’Brien said. “In key situations in the game, we just can’t seem to make a play.”
Evans started the game in place of injured Harrison Beck. He threw for a total of 172 yards on 19-of-32 passing, but was doomed by the interceptions.
Brown hurt his left foot late in the first half, and medical personnel took X-rays revealing a broken foot.
The Pack held mobile FSU quarterback Xavier Lee to only 14 yards rushing, but gave up the long ball as Lee found receiver Greg Carr four times for 140 yards.
“If you give him a chance with his jumping ability and size, I don’t think anyone can compete with him,” Lee said.
Carr’s lone touchdown put the Seminoles up 24-10, and FSU followed it with a sky kickoff to force a Pack fumble, which it would recover. The Seminoles added a field goal on the same drive to finish State off.
In the first half, the Pack responded after FSU’s game-opening drive that featured a 53-yard pass to Greg Carr and ended with Lee’s rush for a touchdown to put the Seminoles up 7-0.
Evans used screens and tosses to Eugene and Brown to move 64 yards down the field to tie the game.
The defense tightened up after the Seminoles’ initial drive, but continued to be hurt by the big play from Lee.
FSU kicker Gary Cismesia missed two first-half field goals, the first from 51 yards out and the second from 26.
The play of Evans and Eugene boosted the Pack to a 10-10 score at the half, as Evans was 12-of-19 for 150 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and Eugene had 116 all-purpose yards in the first half.
“[Eugene] did a great job of stepping up,” O’Brien said. “Now he’s the lead guy. We will get back on the practice field, get to work and see if we can get better for next week.”
The Pack has an off week before traveling to East Carolina on Oct. 20.
