In his third start, redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson came of age to help N.C. State defeat 15th-ranked East Carolina 30-24 in overtime. He completed 21 of 31 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. He forced overtime with a 5-yard scoring pass to George Bryan with 72 seconds remaining.

"He just came out there and said, 'Enough is enough,' and delivered the game," running back Andre Brown said.

GREAT CALL

Coach Tom O'Brien put the ball in Brown's hands in overtime. Brown responded with a 16-yard run and a 10-yard touchdown run, preventing the Wolfpack from relying on Josh Czajkowski to make a game-winning field goal.

MATCHUP THAT MATTERED

Wilson seemed unlikely to outplay East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney but found a way to do it with the help of the N.C. State defense.

After Wilson's successful fourth-quarter drive tied the score, Shea McKeen forced a Pinkney fumble in overtime and put the Wolfpack in position to win. Wilson did not commit a turnover.

GAME BALLS

ANDRE BROWN: Senior back rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries, caught four passes for 35 yards and finished off the Pirates in overtime.

RUSSELL WILSON: He has thrown 57 passes with only one interception. That's not too shabby for a redshirt freshman.

PENALTY MARKERS

HARRISON BECK: The N.C. State reserve quarterback, who played in the first half on obvious passing downs, was intercepted on a tipped ball and lost a fumble. After Wilson's performance Saturday, it may be more difficult for Beck to get off the bench.

JAMELLE EUGENE: In his first game back from an ankle injury, running back Jamelle Eugene was flagged for an enormously costly unsportsmanlike conduct foul deep in East Carolina territory in the third quarter.

LOOKING AHEAD

N.C. State will face its second consecutive ranked nonconference opponent when South Florida (4-0) visits Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.

The Bulls are coming off a 17-9 win over Florida International and have one of the top read-option quarterbacks in the nation in Matt Grothe.

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