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Wolfpack roars past Tar Heels
Stout defense forces six turnovers as visiting N.C. State wins 41-10
AP Photo
N.C. State’s Dominique Ellis celebrates near the sideline.
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Published: November 23, 2008
CHAPEL HILL - N.C. State plowed through dazed North Carolina yesterday, using a dominating second-half performance at Kenan Stadium to win 41-10 and keep alive its late-season drive for bowl eligibility.
A sharp defense, led by linebacker Robbie Leonard, forced six turnovers and allowed only 203 yards, North Carolina's season low for offensive production. The rest was taken care of by unflappable quarterback Russell Wilson, a redshirt freshman who was in total command all day.
Wilson led four long touchdown drives, one that covered 97 yards, and passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tar Heels cut the Wolfpack's lead to 17-10 with 6:44 left in the third quarter, but Wilson responded by coolly driving his team to two touchdowns and a field goal on its next three possessions.
The lead was 34-10 with 8:39 left to play, the outcome wasn't in doubt, and the stands started to empty of blue-clad patrons.
Cornerback DeAndre Morgan said that the Wolfpack felt slighted by pre-game comments attributed to Tar Heels players. Morgan said that he didn't read any of the offensive comments, but that they were relayed to him and that the Tar Heels underestimated the drive of their opponent.
"They looked at us like we were second class, like our Coach told us all week long," Morgan said.
"We came over here with a chip on our shoulder. They were talking down on us like we were nobody."
N.C. State improved to 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the ACC by winning its third consecutive game. North Carolina fell to 7-4 and 3-4 and suffered a second consecutive loss.
The win completed a three-week run in which N.C. State defeated Duke, Wake Forest and North Carolina. N.C. State also defeated East Carolina earlier this season, giving it a sweep of its in-state competition.
Coach Tom O'Brien of N.C. State said that the wins were a significant achievement for his second-year program.
"What it speaks to is that we're the best football program in the state, without question," O'Brien said.
Ryan Houston's 5-yard touchdown run for the Tar Heels and a point-after kick by Casey Barth produced the seven-point difference in the third quarter. The Tar Heels' elation was short-lived, however, because Wilson led his team on a 68-yard touchdown drive that lasted 10 plays and took another 5:16 off the clock.
Wilson's passing and quick legs helped N.C. State pound out long drives all game. N.C. State held possession for 38:06.
Running back Jamelle Eugene of N.C. State said that the time-consuming drives sapped North Carolina's strength and wore down the defense.
"Now reality's just hit them. The offensive line and defensive line really put a hurtin' on them, and that just shows you how much heart they've got. They quit toward the end of the game. Let's be honest about it," Eugene said.
"They knew what was going to happen when we came in here. They talk in the media all week. I said now that it's time to talk, they don't want to talk. The offensive line pounded them into submission, and the (N.C. State) defense did their thing."
North Carolina started turning the ball over almost immediately in the game when tailback Shaun Draughn fumbled on the first two series and N.C. State recovered each time.
Quarterback T.J. Yates started for North Carolina for the first time since Sept. 20, when he broke his left ankle in a game against Virginia Tech, but he was no spark for the offense.
"Nothing was right, nothing was in rhythm and nobody was in sync," Yates said. "We have to come out of the gate with some fire and some passion and we just didn't have it today."
Yates completed 10 of 22 passes for 116 yards. He was intercepted once and was sacked three times. Cameron Sexton, the quarterback who had led the Tar Heels to a 5-2 record while Yates was out, replaced Yates in the fourth quarter to loud cheers.
Coach Butch Davis of North Carolina turned to Sexton with N.C. State ahead 34-10. Sexton was ineffective in the last 8:32 and was intercepted twice in six passes.
Morgan said he wasn't surprised at N.C. State's dominance and said that the defense is gaining a swagger.
"I feel like everyone is coming together," Morgan said. "We're coming along as a team and we've got some more work to do. We've got to win to continue."
■ Bill Cole can be reached at bcole@wsjournal.com,
N.C. State 3 7 21 10 -- 41
North Carolina 0 3 7 0 -- 10
First Quarter
NCSU--FG Czajkowski 39, 8:12.
Second Quarter
NCSU--Bryan 17 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick), 14:20.
UNC--FG Barth 37, 8:48.
Third Quarter
NCSU--Eugene 1 run (Czajkowski kick), 9:53.
UNC--Houston 5 run (Barth kick), 6:44.
NCSU--Brown 2 run (Czajkowski kick), 1:28.
NCSU--Spencer 21 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick), 1:14.
Fourth Quarter
NCSU--FG Czajkowski 32, 8:39.
NCSU--Eugene 1 run (Czajkowski kick), 2:05.
A--60,000.
TEAM STATISTICS
NCSU UNC
First downs 18 13
Rushes-yards 45-187 26-56
Passing 279 147
Comp-Att-Int 17-28-0 14-28-3
Return Yards 33 12
Punts-Avg. 3-34.0 4-43.3
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 4-3
Penalties-Yards 7-55 2-20
Time of Possession 38:06 21:54
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--N.C. State, Brown 20-81, Eugene 12-56, R.Wilson 11-50, Graham 1-4, Team 1-(minus 4). North Carolina, Draughn 13-56, Houston 7-27, J.White 1-0, Nicks 1-(minus 5), Yates 4-(minus 22).
PASSING--N.C. State, R.Wilson 17-28-0-279. North Carolina, Yates 10-22-1-116, Sexton 4-6-2-31.
RECEIVING--N.C. State, Spencer 3-94, Brown 3-28, Eugene 3-25, Ja.Williams 2-63, Hill 2-15, Smith 1-24, Bryan 1-17, Gentry 1-8, Graham 1-5. North Carolina, Nicks 4-56, Foster 3-33, Little 2-36, Rome 2-22, Draughn 2-3, J.White 1-(minus 3).
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