In a thrilling showdown, N.C. State fans witnessed an electrifying celebration as they stormed the field following the Wolfpack's stunning 48-36 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Redshirt freshman Duke Scott expressed his excitement, saying, “It was awesome,” as he took pictures with jubilant fans who rushed in from the stands to join the on-field victory party.
This victory was particularly significant for the Wolfpack, marking the end of Georgia Tech's unbeaten run. Entering the game with an impressive 8-0 record, the Yellow Jackets were poised for a potential berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game and eyeing a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, N.C. State's dynamic performance ensured their first win against a top-10 opponent in over four years.
Coach Dave Doeren praised his team's resilience, stating, “Resiliency is what this place is about. It’s why I’ve always loved N.C. State. The harder it gets, sometimes I think the better we are.” This determination was evident as multiple players stepped up, including Scott, who filled in for the injured league rushing leader, Hollywood Smothers.
Duke Scott had a breakout game, rushing for a career-high 196 yards. His performance was particularly impressive considering he had previously rushed for 235 yards on 47 carries in his brief career. Scott's ability to find holes in the defense was key to the Wolfpack's success. “The line just blocked so well,” he remarked. “It’s kind of like, the holes were there and I just had to hit them.”
Quarterback CJ Bailey also played a crucial role, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another rushing touchdown. The Wolfpack's offense was sharp, posting a total of 583 yards and scoring on eight of ten drives, with six of those drives resulting in touchdowns.
Despite a valiant effort from Georgia Tech, which saw quarterback Haynes King throw for 408 yards and score two rushing touchdowns, the team struggled in the red zone. Coach Brent Key acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, “They lined up and physically kicked our (butt) in a lot of ways.” The Yellow Jackets had to settle for three field goals and missed another opportunity, which proved costly in a high-scoring game.
Georgia Tech's inability to convert on crucial fourth down plays, particularly a false start penalty that thwarted their attempt to score from the Wolfpack's one-yard line, highlighted their struggles. “We get the ball down to the 1-yard line, we've got to be able to put it in offensively,” Key commented, emphasizing the self-defeating mistakes that contributed to their loss.
This victory marks a significant achievement for N.C. State, as their last win against a top-10 opponent came in September 2021 against then-No. 9 Clemson. With three games remaining in the season, the Wolfpack remains optimistic about their chances, knowing that “everything that we have wanted to do is still in front of us,” according to Coach Key.
As for Georgia Tech, they will have an open week to regroup before facing Boston College on November 15, while N.C. State prepares to take on No. 10 Miami on the same date. Both teams will look to build on their experiences from this pivotal game as the season progresses.
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