Beat Central Michigan, 38-24

WHAT WORKED

The halftime adjustments on defense. Central Michigan worked over N.C. State's beleaguered defense in the first half, to the tune of 254 total yards and 17 points. Then the Wolfpack dialed up the pressure up front and forced CMU quarterback Ryan Radcliff, who was nearly perfect in the first half, into a 1-of-10 third quarter with three interceptions.

WHAT NEEDS WORK

The complete effort. Only one half of good defense is not going to win many games in the second half of the season, with the Wolfpack needing to win four of its final six games to return to a bowl game.

WHAT'S NEXT

After a week off, the Wolfpack travels to Virginia on Oct. 22 for the first time since 2006. The Cavaliers (3-2) were off this weekend and will face Georgia Tech before N.C. State's visit. The Wolfpack has lost five straight in Charlottesville, a streak that dates back to 1994.