RALEIGH – A top 25 matchup of two in-state schools does not
happen that often in the state of North Carolina. Wake Forest and NC State,
both with high hopes opening the season, were looking to finish the last
quarter of the regular season strong and a win in this game would put either
team in prime position for a high-profile bowl later on. In the end, it was NC
State, behind a three-touchdown effort by freshman quarterback MJ Morris, who
emerged victorious, 30-21 over the Demon Deacons.
After forcing a quick punt to open the game, Wake Forest
looked like they were in business to grab the momentum early on. That hope was
short-lived as Jakeen Harris picked off a Wake Forest pass and returned it
across midfield, but the Wolfpack were only able to turn it into a Christopher
Dunn field goal, the only scoring over the first nineteen minutes of the game.
The second quarter showed off both teams’ offenses with each team scoring twice
before the half. Christian Turner’s rushing score was answered by MJ Morris
finding Keyon Lesane. Sam Hartman’s scoring toss to Taylor Morin was answered
by Morris hitting Darryl Jones in the end zone. The two connected for another
score in the third quarter. Another Dunn field goal saw the Wolfpack heading
into the final quarter with a 27-14 lead.
Wake Forest wasn’t done, though, driving ninety-nine yards
on a drive halfway through the fourth quarter and making it a one-score game
after Sam Hartman’s twenty-nine-yard pass to AT Perry. NC State wasn’t going to
be denied, and Christopher Dunn’s third field goal of the night put the game
out of reach.
Defensively, Aydan White and Jakeen Harris tallied second-half interceptions for the Wolfpack. Isaiah Moore and Drake Thomas were
monsters roaming the field for NC State, combining for eighteen tackles,
including five for a loss, and three sacks. The Wake Forest defense was paced
by Ryan Smenda, Jr., who tallied sixteen tackles on the evening.
Next Week
NC State (7-2) is back at Carter-Finley Stadium hosting
Boston College at 3:30 pm while Wake Forest (6-3) plays another in-state rival,
North Carolina, at 7:30 at Truist Field in Winston-Salem.
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