GoPack.com recap
BoxScore
Well, it took five years to get here, but State continued its winning streak against the Blue Devils, taking their 11th in a row against Duke, by posting a 27-17 win in Durham.
The series renewal and subsequent win couldn't have come at a better time. It gives State their first conference win for the year, their third win overall and keeps the oh-so-slim hopes of making a bowl bid alive.
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Russell Wilson continued his strong play, tossing two touchdowns against zero interceptions. That gives Wilson eight scores for the year with only one pick in 168 attempts...EXTREMELY solid numbers for a guy playing his first year at the college level, not to mention one who's missed the better part of three games.
The bigger story, however, was State's defense bowing up and stopping Duke on four fourth-down attempts, all in State territory and twice within 12 yards of the endzone. There were still plenty of yards posted against them, and some baffling alignments allowed for easy conversions for Duke in some situations (i.e. corners playing 10 yards off the ball on third-and-seven, for example).
But this was a key game for State heading into the final four game mini-season. They've won the first. Up next is a beatable Wake team, and a win in that game would set the stage for a GREAT showdown with the Tar Heels on the 22nd who smacked the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets around earlier in the day.
First things first, though. Cross your fingers that no one got injured, continue to improve in all areas and get ready for Wake. That'll be the order of business for the Pack in the coming week.
How about a little buy/sell this week? The timing is right...
ReplyDeleteLOL.
ReplyDeleteN.C. State: BUY BUY BUY!
Russel Wilson played great but what about those outstanding catches by the recievers....well done!
ReplyDeleteThey were great. Russell probably gambled a bit much at times, but State definitely felt like they could exploit the height and size advantage of their receivers against Duke's secondary, and it worked.
ReplyDeletei hope we have another late season run like last season ... except that we don't get shut out in the finale, of course ...
ReplyDeletewe have a chance to spoil a couple of rival's seasons .. beating wake would ensure they can't win the division and beating the holes would, well, be awesome ...