Pack Holds Off Herd, 37-20

NC State won the game comfortably as most predicted. It was the path the Wolfpack took to get there that was unexpected.

NC State rallied from a double-digit deficit in the first half to defeat Marshall, 37-20, in its home opener. The Wolfpack improves to 1-1 on the season while the Thundering Herd, who won its opener versus Miami (Ohio), drops to 1-1 on the campaign.

Ryan Finley ran for 46 yards on the first play from scrimmage, and it appeared NC State would have its way with Marshall. The Herd limited the Pack afterward and State settled for a 31-yard field goal from Carson Wise.

However, Marshall scored the next 13 points of the contest to take a 13-3 lead. NC State cut the deficit when Finley found Stephen Louis for a 24-yard score but the Herd promptly responded. Chase Litton (26-for-43, 350 yards, two touchdowns, interception) found Tyre Brady for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the ensuing drive to push the advantage back to 10 points.

Brady had an astounding performance for Marshall. The redshirt junior finished with 11 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown. It a Carter-Finley Stadium record for receiving yards in a game.

State struck back when Finley connected with Jaylen Samuels for a 39-yard score. The Pack then stopped Marshall to force a punt.

Finley then connected with Kelvin Harmon on a beautiful pass to hand the Wolfpack the lead with 16 seconds remaining in the half. NC State never trailed again.

Harman hauled in nine catches for 121 yards and a touchdown to become the first NC State player since Bryan Underwood in 2012 to go for at least 100 yards receiving in back-to-back games.

Finley, a week removed from a 400-plus yard effort in NC State’s season opener against South Carolina, was terrific once again. He finished 29-for-36 passing for 341 yards and three touchdowns.

The Wolfpack gave itself some breathing room with a methodical 13-play drive that ate up almost seven minutes.

Reggie Gallaspy II scored on a 23-yard touchdown following a fumble recovery by Justin Jones to close out the scoring. It was Gallaspy’s second score of the contest.

Airius Moore picked off a Litton pass in the end zone with 1:34 remaining to eliminate any lingering doubt.

NC State returns to action Saturday, September 16 when the Wolfpack will host Furman.