NC State-UNC live blog: NC State gets some bounces late
N.C. State is trying to stay perfect at home. Meanwhile, UNC is looking for its first road win. Something has to give in the 111th meeting between the Tobacco Road rivals.
The Wolfpack (8-3, 5-2) has dropped two in a row to Sam Howell and the Tar Heels (6-5, 3-4), but N.C. State is playing with a lot on the line. The Pack has been perfect at home this season, plus it’s senior day at Carter-Finley. A win could keep hopes of a 10-win season and a trip to the ACC title game alive.
The Tar Heels would love to ruin all of those things for N.C. State.
Follow News & Observer writer Jonas Pope IV for highlights and updates from the game.
EMEZIE X TWO
Emeka Emezie caught two touchdown passes in a 53 second span to bring N.C. State back to life and put them ahead of UNC, 34-30.
UNC 24, NC STATE 21: END OF THIRD QUARTER
North Carolina dominated the third quarter, but N.C. State scored late to take back some momentum. Sam Howell rushed for a score and threw for another as the Heels went up 10. The Pack answered when Devin Leary found Thayer Thomas for a 26-yard score.
LEARY TO THOMAS
On third and nine, Devin Leary threw to Thayer Thomas, who broke a tackle and maneuvered his way into the endzone for a 26-yard touchdown catch.
UNC SCORES 24 STRAIGHT
After falling behind 14-0, UNC scored 24 unanswered to go up 10 over N.C. State. Sam Howell threw a 17-yard touchdown to Justin Olsen for his first touchdown pass of the night.
SAM HOWELL STRIKES AGAIN
After the UNC defense forced a turnover to start the second half, Sam Howell scored his second rushing touchdown of the day, this time from 12 yards away. Ricky Person fumbled for N.C. State on third and 19 and the Heels took advantage five plays later.
NC STATE 14, UNC 10: HALFTIME
North Carolina scored 14 unanswered in the second quarter and held N.C. State to 87 yards in three series during the second quarter. Sam Howell got rolling, leading UNC to two scoring drives to pull to within four.
SAM HOWELL FINDS PAY DIRT
UNC took advantage of its best starting field position, plus a pass interference call versus N.C. State, and got on the board again in the second quarter. Sam Howell rolled in from four yards out for the first touchdown of the day for the Heels.
ATKINS FIELD GOAL GOOD
Grayson Atkins kicked a 22-yard field goal after the N.C. State defense stopped Sam Howell on a 3rd and 2. The kick by Atkins capped off a seven-plau, 70-yard drive.
NC STATE 14, UNC 0: END OF FIRST QUARTER
N.C. State blocked a punt and went on a long scoring drive to take a 14-0 lead over UNC. Both teams had 102 yards after one quarter of play. Sixty three of North Carolina’s yards came on two running plays. The Wolfpack seven-play, 64-yard drive for it’s first offensive touchdown of the day. N.C. State blocked a punt and recovered it in the endzone for the first score of the night.
DEVIN LEARY TO TRENT PENNIX
N.C. State quarterback Devin Leary found tight end Trent Pennix for a 9-yard touchdown pass to put the Pack ahead 14-0. It was the 32nd touchdown pass of the season for Leary.
SPECIAL TEAMS ARE SPECIAL, STILL
N.C. State’s defense forced a three-and-out and Jordan Houston blocked the UNC punt attempt. C.J. Riley recovered the ball in the endzone for a score. It was the fourth specials teams touchdown this season for the Pack.
This story was originally published November 26, 2021 at 6:50 PM.
