Florida State Hangs On For Late Win
Florida State beat NC State 24-20 in Raleigh Saturday night to improve to 6-3 (3-3) on the season. The win also made FSU bowl eligible.
NC State dominated much of the first half on both sides of the ball, but FSU was able to hang around and not fall too far behind.
NC State received the opening kickoff and drove the ball downfield inside the FSU 30 before quarterback Ryan Finley was intercepted by Tarvarus McFadden at the FSU 7. The score remained knotted at zero until Finley completed a pass to Bar’Lon Cherry for a 28 yard touchdown with under two minutes left in the first quarter. FSU responded with a 32-yard field goal by Ricky Aguayo.
On NC State’s next possession, they drove the ball to the FSU 14, but kicker Kyle Bambard missed a 31-yard field goal, making it his fifth miss in his last seven tries. That was the last kick Bambard attempted that night, being replaced with backup Connor Haskins.
After the miss, FSU was forced to punt after a three and out. NC State drove the ball all the way to the FSU 2-yard line, but again, was unable to find the end zone. They settled for a field goal by Haskins to put them up 10-3.
FSU followed up with a score of their own with a 7-play 75-yard drive capped off with running back Jacques Patrick barreling his way into the end zone from two yards out to tie the game at 10 points apiece. NC State had a 10-play 64 yard drive in under two minutes, ending with another Haskins field goal to put the Wolfpack up 13-10 at the half.
FSU fumbled on their opening drive to start the half, but NC State was forced to punt after a three and out. FSU punted on their next possession, pinning NC State down to their own 5-yard line. NC State then went on a 9 play, 95 yard touchdown drive with Jaylen Samuels getting the ball on a nifty reverse and running it in from 23 yards out.
FSU drove down the field with a touchdown of their own with Dalvin Cook running it from the NC State 10-yard line to pull within 3 points of NC State 20-17 at the end of the third quarter.
Neither team put any points on the board for much of the 4th quarter. That was until Deondre Francois completed a 19-yard touchdown to Travis Rudolph to put the Seminoles ahead 24-20 with 3:09 left in the game.
NC State drove the ball down to the FSU 26, but turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass on 4th&12. FSU took a knee on their next three plays to end the ballgame for their fourth straight win verses the Wolfpack. The Noles return to Tallahassee next Saturday to host the Boston College Eagles.
