Devin Leary proved clutch when his team needed it most, showcasing a remarkable fourth quarter and making timely plays to push the NC State Wolfpack ahead of Louisville 28-13 Saturday night inside of Carter-Finley Stadium.
NC State now improves to 6-2 overall and becomes bowl eligible with the victory. Louisville has now dropped three of their last four and sit at 4-4 overall.
NC State received to begin the game and drove down inside the Lousiville 30 yard line, before turning the ball over on downs – being stuffed on fourth and short. The Cards took their first offensive possession down the field, thanks to two big plays – one a rush and another a pass play to Marshon Ford. Facing a similar situation, Louisville went for it on fourth down, but a false start penalty brought on the field goal unit. The 24-yard attempt was wide, helping NC State dodge a huge bullet with 5:09 left in the first.
Leary took over the second possession with completions to Ricky Person Jr and two big connections with Emeka Emezie, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Emezie with 48 seconds left in the quarter. Chris Dunn added the PAT to make the score 7-0 in favor of the Wolfpack. Louisville wasted no time tying the score, using a three-play, 79-yard drive that took 42 seconds off the clock with a 76-yard completion from Malik Cunningham to Jordan Watkins – making the score 7-7 after one.
After forcing a quick three and out, Louisville got the ball back briefly before Cunningham was picked off by NC State’s Shyheim Battle at the NC State 40-yard line with 12:37 left in the second quarter. Punts from both teams followed the turnover for the rest of the half until the Cards ran out of time near midfield, as the clock closed out the half with the score remaining 7-7.
Louisville received the opening kickoff and marched 51 yards in 8 plays, resulting in a 42 yard James Turner field goal – putting the Cards ahead 10-7 with 11:15 remaining in the third. Louisville would get the ball back looking to add to their lead before turning the ball over on downs at the NC State 38-yard line, after Cunningham was stopped for no gain by Tanner Ingle. Neither offense produced much the rest of the quarter, leaving the score 10-7 heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter started with a bang for the Wolfpack as Leary found Porter Rooks for a gain of 23, followed by a 29-yard touchdown pass to Trent Pennix on the next play. The PAT made it 14-10 in favor of the Wolfpack with 14:26 left in regulation. Louisville’s offense took the ensuing drive down inside the NC State 20 with the aid of two personal foul penalties on the Wolfpack defense. NC State finally settled in to force a 32 yard FG from Turner to trim the Wolfpack lead to 14-13 with 9:55 left in the game.
NC State answered with a purpose, putting together a 9 play, 75-yard drive that ate 3:58 off the clock, ending with Leary finding Devin Carter from 12 yards out. Dunn added the PAT making the score 21-13 with 5:53 on the clock. On the next drive facing fourth and three, Cunningham was tripped up short turning the ball back over to the Wolfpack with 4:40 left.
Leary then took matters into his own hands, connecting with CJ Riley in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown making the score 28-13 with 2:21 left in the game. Louisville turned the ball over on downs, putting the game on ice and making the Wolfpack bowl eligible with the win.
Leary finished the contest 25-36 for 317 and four touchdowns. Overall, Louisville outgained the Wolfpack in total yards 434-361 while holding NC State to a season-low 44 yards rushing.
Next up for the Wolfpack, a trip to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles. Kickoff is TBD.