NC State has gone 7-8 against traditional ACC power Florida State between the years 1998 and 2012, producing some of the most memorable moments in school football history.
With that in mind, here are the top five moments in the NC State-Florida State series, with an honorable mention thrown in.
Honorable mention: Jacoby Brissett's Wizardly Act
It is arguably the best highlight moment for NC State in this series, and it was the final score in a torrid first quarter for the Wolfpack against the defending national champion that left NCSU up 24-7 on the country’s top-ranked team on Sept. 27, 2014.
However, the Florida State would rally behind quarterback Jameis Winston, and the Seminoles would prevail 56-41 in the shootout.
No. 5: Meet Andre Brown
Wolfpack fans found out about Brown the week prior to NC State traveling to Tallahassee to play Florida State on Nov. 5, 2005. Brown ran 32 times for 248 yards in his career debut against Southern Miss, but playing against No. 9 Florida State offered a national stage.
On the game’s second play, Brown took his first carry of the afternoon 65-breathtaking yards for a touchdown. It would spark a 20-15 NC State victory.
No. 4: Crashing Homecoming
The first sign that NCSU’s trip to Tallahassee on Nov. 10, 2001, was going to be a good day for the Pack was when Wolfpack offensive lineman Derek Green hustled to chase down running back Cotra Jackson’s fumble in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown, despite the ball rolling seemingly right to a FSU safety about seven yards downfield.
Wolfpack running back Ray Robinson scampered for two scores, and the game ended when FSU quarterback Chris Rix’s heave in the corner of the end zone as time expired was successfully defended by the Pack, giving NCSU a 34-28 win. It was Bobby Bowden’s first-ever loss on homecoming, and also the Noles’, ranked No. 10 at the time, first home loss in league play since joining the ACC in 1992.
No. 3: The Fumble
The 16th-ranked Seminoles came to NC State on a Thursday night, Oct. 28, 2010. The Wolfpack rallied from a 21-7 deficit to take a 28-24 lead behind three touchdown runs from quarterback Russell Wilson and then his fourth-and-goal scoring pass to tight end George Bryan with 2:40 left.
The Seminoles responded, marching down the field for at least a game-tying field goal, if not more. Inexplicably on second and goal from the NC State four-yard line, FSU quarterback Christian Ponder mishandled a play-action pass, nudging up against his running back and losing the football. Wolfpack star linebacker Nate Irving pounced on the fumble with 48 seconds left to secure the win.
No. 2: Torry Holt Dominates
Florida State had lost only once in its ACC history when it arrived at NC State for a early season, week-two contest on Sept. 12, 1998, ranked No. 2 in the country. Future Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Chris Weinke found star receiver Peter Warrick for a 74-yard touchdown on the game’s first play. Few would believe that would be the only score of the afternoon for Florida State.
Weinke would throw six interceptions by the end of the day, but the afternoon truly belonged to Holt, who returned a punt 68 yards for a score and then caught a 63-yard bomb from quarterback Jamie Barnette.
No. 1: Glennon-To-Underwood
Third-ranked Florida State had a 16-0 lead at halftime in a primetime game on Oct. 6, 2012, but the Noles would be held scoreless in the second half. Defensive end Mike Rose set up the stage when he blocked a FSU punt with 2:30 left and the Noles clinging to a 16-10 lead, giving NCSU possession at the FSU 42.
Quarterback Mike Glennon completed a pair of fourth-down passes to help move NC State to the FSU three-yard line, where it faced first and goal with 1:07 left. After Glennon dodged a bullet on third and goal with 19 seconds left when his ill-advised pass was nearly intercepted, he connected with Bryan Underwood on fourth down just three seconds later for what would be the game-winning score.
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