Punt, punt, goof for Florida State in loss to N.C. State

RALEIGH, N.C. — Justin Joly had a clinching fourth-down touchdown catch with 1:47 left — coming after Florida State committed turnovers on back-to-back late punt returns — to help N.C. State hang for a 21-11 win Friday night and become bowl eligible.

The Wolfpack (6-5, 3-4 ACC) grinded to this win behind a defense that allowed one touchdown and got a huge showing from cornerback Devon Marshall with two interceptions and five pass breakups. The offense did its best work on a 15-play drive lasting nearly nine minutes, ending with Will Wilson plowing through the left side for a 1-yard keeper and a 14-3 third-quarter lead.

But it was the special teams miscues by the Seminoles (5-6, 2-6) that stood out most.

Trailing 14-11, they forced the Wolfpack to punt near midfield, only for Caden Noonkester’s short kick to hit the helmet of FSU blocker K.J. Kirkland — then bounce about 25 yards back to Noonkester, who dove on the ball near the original line of scrimmage with 3:53 left.

FSU again forced a punt, only to see Squirrel White muff the catch and have it bounce right to N.C. State’s Tra Thomas with 2:21 left.

C.J. Bailey followed with his second TD throw on the 12-yarder to Joly for the 21-11 lead.

Duce Robinson had a 9-yard TD catch from Tommy Castellanos midway through the fourth for FSU’s lone touchdown.

Takeaway

FSU: That caps another rough year in league play. FSU is 3-13 in ACC play since the start of last year.

N.C. State: The Wolfpack went from handing No. 15 Georgia Tech its lone loss on Nov. 1 to losing badly at No. 14 Miami last week. N.C. State regrouped to beat FSU for a fourth straight time.

Up next

FSU: The Seminoles visit instate rival Florida on Nov. 21.

N.C. State: Rival North Carolina visits the Wolfpack on Nov. 29.