In a thrilling showdown at Faurot Field, the North Carolina State Wolfpack pulled off a stunning comeback against the 17th-ranked Missouri Tigers, overcoming a 24-point deficit to secure a 42-37 victory. The win not only marks a significant redemption for NC State after their previous loss to Arizona, but it also sets a positive tone heading into their ACC matchup against Clemson.
The Wolfpack entered the game with a clear strategy: limit the impact of Missouri’s star receiver, Luther Burden III. However, the Tigers quickly proved that Burden was only one piece of a potent offensive puzzle. After a quick three-and-out for NC State, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook connected with Burden for a dazzling 53-yard touchdown pass, igniting the home crowd and putting the Wolfpack on their heels.
Despite a shaky start that saw Grayson McCall throw three interceptions in the first half, NC State found themselves down 31-7 at halftime. The Wolfpack’s offense struggled to find rhythm, while Missouri’s dynamic playmaking threatened to run away with the game.
But the second half was a different story. Coach Narcan’s halftime adjustments paid immediate dividends as NC State came out firing on all cylinders. The defense tightened up, shutting down Missouri’s offensive momentum, while McCall and the offense found their groove. Over the next two quarters, the Wolfpack scored 35 unanswered points, taking a 42-31 lead late in the fourth quarter.
Missouri, undeterred, responded with a touchdown pass with just over two minutes left, narrowing the deficit to 42-37. With all three timeouts remaining, the Tigers were poised for a final drive. However, NC State’s offense remained resolute, stifling Missouri’s attempts to get the ball back to their offense, and ultimately sealing the victory as the clock expired.
"This is the way the games will go when we play our game, mistake-free and making good reads," Coach Narcan said post-game, visibly pleased with his team’s resilience. "The third and fourth quarters were Wolfpack football. We need to carry that into four quarters against Clemson if we want our first ACC matchup to end in a W."
With this hard-fought win, NC State not only showcased their determination but also highlighted their potential as they head into the heart of their season. The Wolfpack will need to build on this momentum as they prepare for a challenging encounter with Clemson, where consistency and execution will be key.
#17 Missouri lost a close one to NC State, 42-37. The Tigers had a commanding 31-7 lead in the first half, but things took a turn in the second half. The offense struggled to find its rhythm, and NC State capitalized on the situation to secure the win. Coach hugme49 cited league rules as a possible reason for the game's shift. "The number one rule in this league is to not beat an opponent by more than 35 points. We were certainly on pace for that had we stuck with our game plan. We decided to try new plays and formations for the sake of variety, and it backfired completely. This loss will sting for a long time, but we have to move on with the schedule."
Next up is a matchup against Vanderbilt to kick off SEC play. Stay tuned as the season unfolds!
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