Seminoles edge Pack with late TD

Receiver scores with 1:36 to play

By: JournalNow Staff | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 01, 2009

Bobby Bowden and Florida State played in front of the smallest crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium in 16 years.

The 67,712 people who did show up saw another wild victory for the Seminoles. Receiver Bert Reed's 3-yard touchdown run on an inside reverse with 1:36 left and lifted Florida State to a 45-42 win over N.C. State that produced 1,100 yards of offense.

"You know Bert, he doesn't like to punch it in like that," quarterback Christian Ponder said. "And for him to lower his shoulder and go straight up the middle and punch it in was awesome."

The Seminoles have won two straight after a three-game losing streak gave Florida State its worst record since 1976, Bowden's first year as coach in Tallahassee.

The poor start brought criticism on Bowden and deflated FSU fans, but the Seminoles (4-4, 2-3 ACC) are back to .500. They rallied last week for a 30-27 win at North Carolina after trailing by 18 points in the third quarter.

Ponder said he wasn't surprised by the smallest crowd at Doak Campbell since 1993 -- about 20,000 empty seats. "We've had a disappointing season," he said. "We had a lot of high expectations going into the season and so did the fans. I can understand why they are upset."

The 170-pound Reed had 44 yards on four runs and caught six passes for 66 yards.

N.C. State took its first lead at 42-38 with 3:50 left when Russell Wilson hit Jarvis Williams for his third touchdown catch of the game. FSU answered with a game-winning eight-play, 66-yard drive.

Wilson passed for 349 yards and a career-best five touchdowns for the Wolfpack (3-5, 0-4).

N.C. State 7 14 7 14 -- 42
Florida State 7 14 10 14 -- 45

First Quarter

FSU--Thomas 4 run (Hopkins kick), :54.

NCSU--Spencer 80 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick), :40.

Second Quarter

FSU--C.Thompson 6 run (Hopkins kick), 14:27.

NCSU--Eugene 3 run (Czajkowski kick), 10:33.

FSU--Thomas 54 run (Hopkins kick), 9:48.

NCSU--Ja.Williams 7 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick), 1:29.

Third Quarter

FSU--Owens 6 pass from Ponder (Hopkins kick), 10:34.

NCSU--Ja.Williams 6 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick), 7:42.

FSU--FG Hopkins 24, 1:00.

Fourth Quarter

FSU--C.Thompson 4 run (Hopkins kick), 11:52.

NCSU--Bryan 29 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick), 8:34.

NCSU--Ja.Williams 5 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick), 3:50.

FSU--Reed 3 run (Hopkins kick), 1:36.

A--67,712.

TEAM STATISTICS

NCSU FSU

First downs 24 27

Rushes-yards 38-189 33-278

Passing 349 277

Comp-Att-Int 20-31-2 26-40-2

Return Yards 36 68

Punts-Avg. 4-38.8 3-38.3

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0

Penalties-Yards 6-41 7-76

Time of Possession 30:30 29:30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--N.C. State, Baker 19-112, Eugene 10-41, R.Wilson 8-34, Howard 1-2. Florida State, Thomas 20-186, Reed 4-44, Ponder 4-29, C.Thompson 5-19.

PASSING--N.C. State, R.Wilson 20-30-2-349, Team 0-1-0-0. Florida State, Ponder 26-40-2-277.

RECEIVING--N.C. State, Spencer 5-165, Bryan 4-47, Baker 3-32, Ja.Williams 3-18, Davis 2-53, Bowens 2-35, Eugene 1-(minus 1). Florida State, Owens 7-56, Reed 6-66, Easterling 5-73, Fortson 4-43, Pryor 3-31, Reliford 1-8.