NC State bests mistake-prone FSU, 21-11

NC State and FSU had themselves an, um, interesting game on Friday night—not so much from good football, but moreso from weird football. Which is fine when it works out the way it did. NC State had a pretty tough time moving the ball, but the difference was that it avoided big mistakes, while Florida State did not.

FSU put up over 200 yards of offense in the first half but had only three points to show for it. The Seminoles missed a field goal and Thomas Castellanos also threw a prayer ball over the middle near the red zone that was intercepted by Devon Marshall. Marshall had a hell of a night—he also, fittingly, was gifted another interception on the last play of the game—and kept Duce Robinson under wraps for three quarters.

NC State’s offense only looked effective on its one first-half touchdown drive, but hey, that was good enough for a halftime lead.

In the third quarter, NC State’s defense got a quick three-and-out and its offense proceeded to put together a nine-minute touchdown drive, which in this particular game, was the best kind of touchdown drive, shortening the game as it did. The Wolfpack took a 14-3 advantage into the fourth quarter, which is when the punting shenanigans started.

After Florida State pulled to within 14-11, NC State was stopped around its own 40, and then Caden Noonkester kicked a punt that was so bad it was actually brilliant. The short kick conked off of a Florida State player’s helmet and flew back so far that Noonkester was able to recover the ball and give the Pack another possession.

NC State was then stopped again, punted it deep, and FSU muffed it, giving the Pack the ball in the red zone. This proved the decisive moment in the game, as the Pack would turn that miscue into a touchdown. It took an impressively gutsy decision to go for it on 4th-and-6 rather than kick a field goal to get that touchdown, and it was Justin Joly that came through with a tough contested catch for the score.

Dave Doeren was channeling Dan Campbell for some reason tonight—NC State also successfully converted a fourth down deep in its own territory during the first half—and I’m just wondering where this has been. Perhaps he’s finally discovered analytics.

Anyway, FSU quickly began moving down the field on its next possession before ultimately opting to try a 50-yard field goal attempt on 4th-and-4, which is one of the dumber decisions I’ve seen this season. Another miscue, another gift. Florida State’s kicker, who missed a short field goal in the first half, wasn’t even close on this one, and that was that.

NC State was outgained 383-286 by Florida State, which suggests the score should be the other way around, but NC State didn’t turn the ball over and committed only three penalties. FSU ended up with four turnovers, eight penalties, and a missed field goal on the ledger. Shoot yourself in the foot enough times and you’ll bleed out eventually.

The Pack is officially bowl eligible with this win and can lock up a winning season by beating the Tar Heels next Saturday.