NC State and Kentucky will kick off the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., at noon on ESPN.
We will have updates throughout the game here, plus fans can discuss the contest on the premium Wolves' Den message board.
Final stats (3:38 p.m.)
Pack gets late touchdown (3:33 p.m.)
Redshirt junior quarterback Bailey Hockman completed five straight passes to lead a touchdown drive with 1:10 left, capped on a two-yard run by sophomore Jordan Houston.
NC State's onside kick however was recovered by Kentucky.
Third interception breaks NC State's back (3:24 p.m.)
The Wolfpack took over at its own 20 with 3:11 left and a chance to get a late go-ahead score, but on the first play redshirt junior quarterback Bailey Hockman threw his third interception of the game.
On the first play, redshirt sophomore running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran a 26-yard, back-breaking touchdown with 2:55 left.
Pack takes advantage of Kentucky discipline issues (3:14 p.m.)
Two personal foul flags on Kentucky on a short kickoff gave NC State an extra 30 yards, setting up the possession at the Kentucky 37-yard line. On the first play, a late hit added eight yards to a 21-yard completion from redshirt junior Bailey Hockman to his classmate Thayer Thomas.
On second and goal from the 13, sophomore running back Zonovan "Bam" Knight ran it in for a touchdown with 4:46 left, cutting the Wildcats' lead to 16-14.
Kentucky pads its lead with another short field goal (3:07 p.m.)
After NC State redshirt junior quarterback Bailey Hockman's second interception of the game, Kentucky gets a crucial score to go up 16-7 when senior Matt Ruffalo made his third short field goal of the game, this time a 20-yarder, with 5:45 left in the contest.
Stats through three quarters (2:42 p.m.)
Fourth down conversion for Pack gets TD (2:32 p.m.)
After junior Christopher Dunn missed a 43-yarder wide right earlier in the half, his second miss of the day, head coach Dave Doeren decided to go for it on fourth and six at the Kentucky 9-yard line. Redshirt junior quarterback Bailey Hockman was able to escape pressure and found fifth-year senior receiver C.J. Riley in the end zone for NC State's first points of the game, cutting Kentucky's lead to 13-7 with 2:56 left in the first half.
On the touchdown, however, redshirt junior center Grant Gibson appeared to suffer a left knee injury while celebrating the score.
Halftime stats (1:34 p.m.)
Kentucky adds field goal to end half (1:33 p.m.)
After NC State junior kicker Christopher Dunn appeared to have his 40-yard field goal attempt partially blocked with 1:23 left in the half, Kentucky moved quickly to add one more score.
The Wolfpack was fortunate that a 3-yard touchdown pass was wiped away by an illegal formation penalty, but senior Matt Ruffalo added a 26-yard field goal with two seconds left for the Wildcats.
It is the first time NC State has but shut out in the first half all season.
Kentucky ground game gets rolling as Wildcats score TD (1:05 p.m.)
While NC State's offense has just 40 total yards, Kentucky has three running backs all with at least 36 yards rushing thus far.
Redshirt sophomore Chris Rodriguez's four-yard TD run came after he had a 20-yard rush to jumpstart the drive. Senior Asim Rose then added a 44-yard carry, followed by an 18-yard run from redshirt sophomore Kavosiey Rose to set up Rodriguez's score with 6:23 left in the first half.
First quarter stats (12:39 p.m.)
Kentucky ends methodical drive with short field goal (12:23 p.m.)
Kentucky took the opening possession and milked nine minutes off the clock before senior kicker Matt Ruffolo converted a short 25-yard field goal to give the Wildcats the first points of the game with 6:00 left in the first quarter.
An offside penalty on NC State redshirt junior linebacker Vi Jones gave Kentucky a first down on third and three, and then the Wildcats converted another third down and then a fourth down to sustain its lengthy possession.
Four defensive starters are out for NC State (11:07 a.m.)
NC State confirmed that four defensive starters will not play Saturday, most notably All-American defensive tackle Alim McNeill and All-ACC linebacker Payton Wilson.
McNeill is choosing to skip the bowl in preparations for the NFL Draft. The junior announced his decision to leave early for the NFL prior to the regular season finale. McNeill had 26 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and a sack, a forced fumble and fumble recovery and one memorable pick six at Virginia during the season.
Wilson, a redshirt sophomore, led the ACC in both total tackles (108) and tackles per game (10.8). In the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), he entered the bowl season third in total tackles and 13th in tackles per game. He is the first NC State player since Levar Fisher in 2000 to lead the ACC in tackles.
Fellow linebacker Drake Thomas, a sophomore, is also out. Both Wilson and Thomas are believed to be recovering from injuries. Thomas was fourth on the team in tackles (58) and tackles for loss (9.5) and also added three sacks, five quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
Junior safety Tanner Ingle is suspended for the game after piling up three targeting penalties during the regular season, triggering the automatic penalty. Ingle had 33 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and a pair of pass breakups in seven games.
