NC State falls in ACC opener at Florida State
Dave Doeren wanted his team to make fewer mistakes in its second road trip of the season, not more.
But N.C. State went to Florida State on Saturday night and missed some key opportunities in the first half, fumbled, missed a field goal and had a defensive penalty extend a touchdown drive for Florida State. All in the first half.
It was one problem after another in the Wolfpack’s 31-13 loss to the Seminoles.
“Weird feeling after this game,” Doeren said. “I’m really proud of the way our defensive kids battled. We struggled offensively in a lot of ways.”
N.C. State (3-2, 0-1 ACC) switched quarterbacks, used all three actually, and turned in its best defensive performance of the season but it wasn’t enough to avoid opening its ACC schedule with a loss.
Florida State (3-2, 2-1 ACC) turned to backup quarterback Alex Hornibrook (316 passing yards) and overcame its own mistakes for a second straight ACC home win.
Hornibrook threw for three touchdowns, including two key ones in the second quarter to stake FSU to a 17-6 lead at the half.
The Wolfpack defensive front was swarming Hornibrook early and not giving the Wisconsin grad transfer any time to throw. But the Noles were able to make some adjustments and get Tamorrion Terry loose for a 43-yard touchdown —after the drive was extended by a roughing the passer penalty.
Hornibrook then hit Ontaria Wilson for a 40-yard touchdown with 58 seconds left in the half.
N.C. State, meanwhile, went to Bailey Hockman at quarterback in the fourth series after Matt McKay started 3 of 7 for 20 yards.
Hockman took more chances down field but twice N.C. State’s offense had to settle for short field goals, instead of a touchdown. Chris Dunn’s second field goal, from 26 yards, gave N.C. State a 6-3 lead at 6:25 in the first quarter. It didn’t hold up.
Hockman finished 21 of 40 for 208 yards with a touchdown. He tweaked his knee late in the fourth quarter and Devin Leary came on to close the game out.
Leary completed 4 of 5 passes for 54 yards. He almost had a touchdown but Max Fisher fumbled inside the FSU 5-yard line. It was a fitting end to a lost night for N.C. State.
“I thought our guys battled and had good energy about them tonight we just weren’t able to score enough points,” Doeren said.
FIRST DOWN
Freshman linebacker Payton Wilson had seven tackles and blocked an extra point but it was nullified because he jumped over the blocker. It was an impressive display of athletic ability, nonetheless.
TOUCHDOWN
N.C. State defensive tackle Larrell Murchison was active with 3.5 sacks. It’s the second year in a row he has had at least three sacks in the ACC opener.
OFFSIDES
N.C. State’s third-quarter offense has been an issue. The Wolfpack started the second half with 12 yards on the first three drives.
ICYMI
Running back Ricky Person was carted off in the third quarter after medical personnel put an aircast on his left ankle but his x-rays came back clean.
KEY NUMBERS
33 Career starts for quarterback Alex Hornibrook. The first 32 were for Wisconsin.
1 300-yard passing games for Hornibrook, who had 320 on Saturday.
This story was originally published September 28, 2019 at 11:17 PM.
