Peter Koutroumpis
RALEIGH, N.C. – The N.C. State Wolfpack remained undefeated, sitting at 5-0 overall following a 28-23 win over the Boston College Eagles (4-2, 1-1) at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.
Quarterback Ryan Finley completed 25-of-34 pass attempts for 308 yards and two touchdowns while getting picked off twice, kicking the offense into gear following a slow start.
Amassing 533 total yards, the Wolfpack put together a two-pronged offensive performance that provided a deep enough cushion to fend off a valiant offensive surge in the final quarter from the Eagles.
Stats – N.C State 28, B.C. 23
Receivers Kelvin Harmon (9 catches, 128 yards) and Jakobi Meyers (10 catches, 99 yards) each scored touchdowns while running back Reggie Gallaspy carried the ball 25 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
Ricky Person also carried a significant load for the Wolfpack, finishing with 92 yards on 17 carries.
Playing without running back A.J. Dillon, B.C. had trouble piecing together it’s offense against an aggressive and impactful N.C. State defense.
While placekicker Colton Lichtenberg place a 33-yard kick through the uprights, Gallaspy’s first touchdown allowed N.C. State to hold onto a slim 7-3 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Wolfpack turnovers were negated by strong defensive play.
Linebacker Germaine Pratt led all State tacklers with a career-high 13 and a sack while Isaiah Moore claimed seven, along with six from safety Dexter Wright.
N.C. State shut out the Eagles in the second quarter with Gallaspy and Meyers posting points on the board along with PATs from Christopher Dunn.
The Wolfpack carried a 28-10 lead into the final period.
Eagles quarterback Anthony Brown (14-25, 198 yards) put the ball in the hands of Ben Glines who scored twice and kept the Eagles’ comeback hopes alive during the second half.
A blocked punt resulted in a third straight score for B.C. and made it a five-point game with 3:33 to play.
Effective possession and clock management by Finley and the offense eventually earned two first downs and worked the clock down to zero and preserved the win for the Wolfpack.
Peter Koutroumpis: 401-323-8960, @pksport