State of NC vs. Wake Forest, Game Analysis

After a big jump in the ranking of university football matches, N.C. State had planned a major appearance.

Wake Forest scored those plans on Thursday with another dazzling victory over the No. 14 North American.

The deacon demons, who failed for almost 30 seconds, got a late 32-yard touchdown from striker Jack Freudenthal to shock the Wolfpack, 27-23.

Having climbed seven places in the college football standings on Tuesday, NC State (6-3, 3-3 ACC) had the chance to play in a big New Year bowling game for the first time in its history.

The Wolfpack needed help to get to the Peach or Fiesta bowl, but he had also forgotten the most important part: taking care of his own business.

As a 19-point home favorite, where he had been undefeated this season, N.C. State could not do the job. There were too many empty trips in the red zone, too many lost passes and too many big games allowed in defense.

"To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement," said N.C. State coach Dave Doeren. "Of course, as a head coach, I take responsibilities whenever my team does not play as well as they can."

A slow start on "Senior Night", and perhaps a pressure boost from the CFP's standings, left Wolfpack's apartment in the first half and were then unable to stand up to Wake Forest (5-5, 2-4 ACC) in the fourth quarter.

It was the same team from Wake Forest that inflicted a 30-24 loss to N.ston State at Winston-Salem last season, which was Wolfpack's biggest disappointment for the 2017 season.

This loss will rival this one. If no other reason warrants it, the N State usually beats Wake in Raleigh. Since 1986, the Wolfpack had won 15 wins out of 16 against the Deacs at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Wake and Boston College, one of the usual thorns on the side of the North American state, left Doeren without any explanation for the costly loss.

"Was this the discussion of what we could end up being?" Said Doeren. "Were the elders and the three offensive linemen seniors and moved at the start of the game? I am not sure."

The Deacs, down 13-3 at the half and 23-13 in the fourth quarter, continued to drag.

"Whenever we were about to escape, we just did one thing to stay in there," said Wake Coach Dave Clawson.

Sophomore quarterback Jamie Newman threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns. His appearance on Wake's winning record with eight games and 80 yards was remarkable for a beginner.

Rookie Sam Hartman started the first nine games of the season for Wake until he was injured late in the loss to Syracuse last Saturday.

Newman recovered the ball with a time of 1:39, a drop of 23-20, and took what the defense of N.C. State was willing to give him.

He completed four of his first six runs in training, including three rookie receiver Sage Surratt (eight catches, 109 yards).

After a pass in favor of the incomplete Surratt at the first descent of the 32-yard line from N.C. State, Newman went to Freudenthal for the first time of all matches.

Freudenthal grabbed the ball over the center, and then Wake receiver Alex Bachman managed to knock out two defenders from the Nc state on a block.

"We organized a blitz and we went bankrupt," Doeren said. "We had our security there to face it and he met someone."

Alone, Freudenthal was found in the end zone for the winning score at 30 seconds from the end.

North American quarterback Ryan Finley (374 yards) scored a final mid-pitch burst, but was intercepted at the 2-yard line by Scotty Washington.

Junior catcher Kelvin Harmon had a total of 134 yards with 15 assists, his best career result, from the North American state, but was not targeted in the red zone.

N.C. State could not run the ball in defense of Wake, who had entered the No. 115 match in the country against the race. The Wolfpack finished with 47 yards in 27 races.

The most serious problems in the state of Nc. were in the red zone. Three times, he had to settle for three short-field goals, instead of being able to score a touchdown.

"We have had a lot of opportunities in this match, a lot of opportunities," said Doeren.

The state of NC has not had many opportunities like this one in its history of playing in a New Year's bowl on the biggest college football scene.

This one is gone now. Wake Forest did it again.