NC State scores and scores and scores in tight win over Wake Forest

There was some misdirection coming from N.C. State with its choice of a starting quarterback for Saturday night’s season opener.

There was no mistaking the Wolfpack’s primary intent on offense.

Run the ball from all angles.

That helped set the tone in what at times seemed like an offensive free-for-all as NC State pulled out a 45-42 victory against Wake Forest at Carter-Finley Stadium.

“Rushing the ball the way we did was an emphasis,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. “... I think that helps us tremendously just attitude-wise with what we want to do.”

Running back Ricky Person Jr. had a part in three touchdowns, including the game-winning 3-yard touchdown run with 5:51 remaining.

Bailey Hockman, a surprise as the starting quarterback, had plenty of help in the backfield.

The Wolfpack churned out 270 rushing yards, led by Person’s 99 yards on 14 carries and Zonovan Knight’s 97 yards on 11 attempts. Jordan Houston had his moments with 12 carries producing 54 yards.

“I like the rotation that Coach has got for us,” Person said. “We’ve been working for it in practice since Day One.”

Hockman, who threw for a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown, got in the act as well.

“Over 250 yards rushing, it’s incredible,” Hockman said of the team’s output. “With the run game being so effective, it’s hard not to step up.”

Doeren said the variety from the running backs was a plus.

“All our backs ran the ball well,” the coach said. “It causes problems for a defense, too. They have different styles. … Keeping them fresh and keeping them healthy longer. And Bailey ran the ball good too.”

Person pointed to the offensive linemen for creating the gaps.

“Those boys did a great job up front,” Person said. “My reads were there tonight.”

With the Wolfpack coming at them in all sorts of running lanes, that made it difficult for the Demon Deacons.

“There was some stuff they brought out we didn’t see (in preparation),” Wake Forest defensive end Carlos Basham Jr. said.

Hockman drew the start at quarterback for the Wolfpack instead of expected starter Devin Leary, who was available to play but had been limited in the preseason because of coronavirus-related quarantine.

With the game tied in the second half, it was a defensive play that helped the Wolfpack regain traction. N.C. State defensive lineman Alim McNeill forced and recovered a fumble at a key juncture. N.C. State cashed in with Christopher Dunn’s 30-yard field goal with 13:19 to play for a short-lived lead.

Wake Forest went ahead for the only time on Kenneth Walker’s 2-yard run with 9:12 remaining. It was his third touchdown of the night.

After Person’s final touchdown, the Demon Deacons gave the ball up on failed fourth downs on their last two possessions.

N.C. State, which entered the season on a six-game losing streak, is 1-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play for the fourth time in five seasons.

Wake Forest dropped to 0-2 for the first time since 2007.

Person’s 2-yard jump pass to Devin Carter put the Wolfpack on top early in the third quarter.

So after its first possession of the second half, N.C. State had more points (28) than in any entire ACC game in 2019. Less than three minutes later, the margin expanded on Hockman’s 15-yard pass to tight end Cary Angeline.

After Wake Forest’s third punt in a five-minute span, the momentum shifted when Ja’Sir Taylor returned Hockman’s interception 45 yards for a touchdown.

Then Walker’s 13-yard run with 1:24 remaining in the third quarter allowed the Demon Deacons to wipe out a 14-point deficit for the second time. This drive also included a fourth-down conversion.

Hockman played in only one of the final five games last season after losing his starting position. He was sharp from the outset, completing his first 12 passes, but finished 16-for-23 for 191 yards.

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman kept pace with Hockman, ending up 23-for-36 for 236 yards.

It was tied 21-21 at halftime following an eventful first half. The teams combined to convert on 12 of 16 third- or fourth-down plays.

Knight scored on his first carry of the season, bursting through a hole and going 30 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game.

Hockman ran for a 7-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 82-yard drive on the next possession.

Wake Forest took its turn with a 14-play march that concluded with Jaquarii Roberson’s nifty catch on a 5-yard pass play from Hartman.

The teams combined for 271 yards of total offense in the first quarter. By midway through the second quarter, Hockman and Hartman had combined to complete 23 of 25 throws.

Person scored from 1-yard out as the Wolfpack stretched its lead to 21-7 early in the second quarter.

Less than three minutes later, Christian Beal-Smith’s 11-yard run helped Wake Forest stay within range. That came one play after a fourth-and-10 pick-up. At 21-14, the Demon Deacons had more points than in last weekend’s 37-13 loss to Clemson.

Walker’s 2-yard run off a direct snap allowed Wake Forest to pull even with 36 seconds left in the half.

The Demon Deacons had first-half touchdown drives of 14, nine and 12 plays.

The outcome ended Wake Forest’s three-game winning streak in the series. The only four-game win streak for Wake Forest against the Wolfpack came from 1951-54.

This story was originally published September 19, 2020 at 11:39 PM.