Quick hits from NC States loss to Virginia Tech

Quick hits and notes from NC State's 41-30 home loss to Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon in front of 58,083 fans at Carter-Finley Stadium, the third largest crowd ever to attend a Wolfpack football game.

Fourth quarter to forget

Virginia Tech had the largest rally ever in Frank Beamer's tenure in Blacksburg when they rallied from a 17-0 first half deficit to win, and it came apart for NC State in the fourth quarter.

The Hokies had 120 yards of offense in the fourth quarter and outscored the Pack 20-3 to win the game. NC State had just 70 yards of offense in the quarter.

Rush defense atrocious

Looking for the stat for the game, try Virginia Tech's 8.6 yards per rush. The Hokies had both quarterback Tyrod Taylor and junior running back Darren Evans rush for over 100 yards. Evans ran 15 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns, including a 54-yard scamper to the end zone in the third quarter. Taylor ran 16 times for 121 yards and was much more dangerous with his legs than he was his arm, where he completed 12 of 24 passes for 123 yards but also had three touchdowns.

Day to forget for Wilson

NC State officially launched RussellWilson16.com Saturday in an effort to jumpstart a Heisman campaign for the redshirt junior quarterback, but Saturday likely ended those hopes before they began to get rise. Wilson completed just 21 of 49 passes for 362 yards and three touchdowns with also three interceptions. All of his passes were intercepted by Hokies sophomore corner Jayron Hosley, including one in the end zone right before halftime.

Wilson did pass Jamie Barnette for the second most touchdown passes in a career at NC State with 62. He entered the game tied with Barnette at 59. Wilson's second touchdown pass went to redshirt freshman running back Dean Haynes, his first career touchdown reception. That touchdown was set up by sophomore safety Brandan Bishop's 39-yard interception return to the Virginia Tech 2. That was Bishop's first career interception.

The top two receiving targets for NC State were fifth-year senior Jarvis Williams and senior Owen Spencer. Williams caught four passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, moving him into a third place tie with former receiver Eddie Goines with 17 career touchdown receptions. That was Williams' second touchdown catch of the year. He had 11 last season.

Spencer caught six passes for 145 yards. That tied his career high in catches that he set last week against Georgia Tech, and it's the second-most receiving yards behind his 165-yard effort last season at Florida State.

One other player moved up the record book for NC State. Fifth-year senior place kicker Josh Czajkowski was 3 for 3 on field goals, including a 42-yarder with 4:42 left in the game to give State a 30-28 lead. He made all three of his point after touchdowns as well to move into a first-place tie in most career extra points made with 97. He has 33 field goals in his career to stand fifth in school history in that category.

Amerson starts

Freshman cornerback David Amerson became the second true freshman to start a game this year for NC State. He started in place of redshirt junior corner Justin Byers. Amerson finished with five tackles, including four solo hits.

NC State also started fifth-year senior defensive end Michael Lemon at defensive end in place of redshirt junior Jeff Rieskamp, who did not appear to play Saturday. Lemon had three assisted tackles, including one for a loss of a yard. Redshirt freshman Darryl Cato-Bishop played the fourth defensive end in the rotation and had a tackle. Cato-Bishop had played primarily defensive tackle this season for NC State.

Freshman offensive tackle Robert Crisp started the season opener against Western Carolina.

Spotted at the game

There was a large crowd of recruits in attendance Saturday afternoon. Among those spotted before the game were linebacker Stephone Anthony from Anson County High in Wadesboro, N.C., defensive end Ira McCune from Hillgrove High in Powder Springs, Ga., cornerback Frankie Williams from Robinson High in Tampa, Fla., and offensive lineman Monte Golden from Northside High in Jacksnoville, N.C.

Williams was on an official visit. Defensive end Dave Mann from Lithonia (Ga.) High and offensive tackle Darrell Williams from Evans High in Orlando, Fla., were also scheduled to officially visit. NC State commitments Maurice Morgan from North Lenoir High in La Grange, N.C., quarterback Brian Taylor from Harnett Central High in Angier, N.C., and punter Wil Baumann from Hoggard High in Wilmington, N.C., were also at the game.

Notable juniors in attendance included offensive lineman D.J. Reader from Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley[/db], offensive lineman Brock Stadnik and Clayton Stadnik from Western Guilford High in Greensboro, N.C, receiver Kevin Jones and defensive end Darius Wilkins from Middle Creek High in Raleigh, offensive lineman from Dylan Hopper from Shelby (N.C.) Crest, offensive lineman Joel Suggs from Randleman (N.C.) High and quarterback Matt Johnson from Maiden (N.C.) High.