‘Noles outlast Wolf Pack in high scoring battle

RALEIGH, N.C. — Jameis Winston and the top-ranked FSU Seminoles overcame a 17-point first quarter deficit to remain undefeated with a 56-41 win over the N.C. State Wolfpack on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.

FSU doubled their point total in the third quarter, taking their first lead of the game with 3:24 remaining in the third quarter when Winston took advantage of a fumble from N.C. State quarterback Jacoby Brissett by hitting Rashad Greene with a 5-yard touchdown, giving the ‘Noles a 42-38 lead going into the final quarter of play.

The ‘Noles lost the turnover battle to N.C. State 4-2, while the Wolfpack also outscored them 20-7 with points off turnovers.

“All turnovers are critical, all turnovers change momentum,” said FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher following the game. “That’s the number one thing, that big plays and penalties affect the outcome of games.”

Brissett and Winston battled it out under center  throughout the game, matching touchdowns for most of the game before Brissett went out with an injury late in the fourth quarter. Brissett finished the game going 32-48 for 359 yards and three touchdowns.

“One thing about playing this position is you’ve got to outplay the other quarterback, because most times when you outplay the other quarterback you end up getting the win,” said Winston of the quarterback battle between himself and Brissett. “It was fun being able to play against him because he had a lot of expectations for this game.

“This would have made his year, made their year if they could have got this victory.”

FSU trailed 24-7 going into the second quarter, as Brissett threw for two touchdowns and running back Shadrach Thornton added another score to give the Wolfpack a three score lead after the opening quarter.

N.C. State’s 24 points in the first quarter set a record for the most points FSU has ever given up in the opening quarter of a game, a record that goes back 768 games.

“We have an extremely resilient set of guys. They stay in the game,” said coach Fisher after the game. “We made enough mistakes in all three phases of the game tonight. We are still not playing the football that we are capable of.”

FSU looked like a different team in the second quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points in a little over three minutes to cut N.C. State’s lead to 24-21 going into halftime.

The ‘Noles kept it close during the first half, despite being out rushed 86-16 by the Wolfpack.

Winston finished the game going 26-38 for 365 yards and four touchdowns to go along with an interception and a fumble.

Karlos Williams added another rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter that did all but put the game away for FSU and extend their NCAA leading winning streak to 20 games. Williams ended the night with 126 yards on 22 carries to go along with his three touchdowns.

N.C. State made the game interesting late, after the Wolfpack intercepted a pass from Winston late in the fourth quarter and turned it into a field goal on their next possession, cutting FSU’s lead to 49-41 with 6:08 remaining in regulation time.

The ‘Noles would add another WIlliams rushing touchdown late to seal a 56-41 victory over the Wolfpack.

With the win the ‘Noles improve to 4-0 for the season and 2-0 in ACC play, keeping FSU in first place in the Atlantic division.

FSU will now return home for an ACC matchup with Wake Forest on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Kickoff for the Wake Forest game is set for 3:30 p.m. EST and will be televised on ABC.