No. 19 Wake Forest Drops Hard-Fought Road Contest at No. 20 NC State

RALEIGH – Despite a hard-fought effort that included four sacks and eight tackles-for-loss, No. 19 Wake Forest fell on the road at No. 20 NC State on Saturday night, 30-21.

This historic rivalry has been played continuously since 1910, which is the longest continuous rivalry in the ACC and the second-longest in the FBS (Wisconsin-Minnesota have met every year since 1906). Additionally, Saturday marked only the third meeting when both teams came in nationally ranked. Last season, the No. 12 Demon Deacons downed the No. 16 Pack in Winston-Salem, while in 1992, No. 13 NC State beat No. 25 Wake Forest at Carter-Finley Stadium.

No. 19 Wake Forest (6-3, 2-3 ACC) was led on offense by redshirt junior quarterback Sam Hartman as he completed 29-of-48 passes for 397 yards and two touchdowns.

Redshirt junior A.T. Perry led Wake Forest's receiving corps with new career highs in catches (12) and yards (159). The performance marked Perry's third 100-yard receiving game of the season as well as the 10th of his career. The Lake Worth, Fla. native became just the fifth Demon Deacon in program history to accomplish this feat over the course of their career.

Hartman targeted redshirt sophomore wideout Taylor Morin on a 28-yard toss in the second quarter. The TD reception was his fifth of the season. Additionally, Christian Turner powered his way into the end zone early in the second quarter to get Wake Forest on the scoreboard.

Senior linebacker Ryan Smenda, Jr. led Wake Forest's defense with a career-high 16 tackles as the Orange Park, Fla. native has now racked up 313 tackles over the course of his career. He is the fourth Demon Deacon since the turn of the century to achieve this milestone, joining Aaron Curry (2005-08, 332 Tackles), Ryan Janvion (2013-16, 328 Tackles), Brandon Chubb (2012-15, 326 Tackles).

NC State (7-2, 3-2 ACC) earned just its second win over the Demon Deacons in the past six years.

Wake Forest will look to bounce back next week at home versus No. 17 North Carolina at 7:30 p.m. inside Truist Field. Fans can purchase tickets now

HOW IT HAPPENED

Wake Forest won the toss and deferred to the second half as NC State received the ball to open the game.
The Demon Deacons forced a three-and-out on the Wolfpack's first series of the game, which included a first down run-stuffing play by Ryan Smenda, Jr. and Evan Slocum.
- Additionally, Wake Forest forced NC State QB MJ Morris to throw a pair of incompletions thanks to good coverage on the backend and a fierce pass rush.
Wake Forest's first drive of the game was highlighted by an 18-yard completion by Sam Hartman to running back Justice Ellison.
- However, the drive ended on an interception by Jakeen Harris, who returned the football to the Wake Forest 44.
On the ensuing NC State drive, the Wolfpack drove the ball 24 yards over eight plays and took a 3-0 lead on a 33-yard field goal.
- Safety Malik Mustapha recorded a key sack on the drive to force NC State off schedule and settle for a field goal inside the red zone.
Despite Hartman and Perry connecting three times for 39 yards on Wake Forest's next offensive possession, the Wolfpack forced another Demon Deacon punt as NC State regained possession with 4:50 left in the first.
The Wake Forest defense forced its first three-and-out of the game as Kobie Turner (sack for loss of four) and Kendron Wayman (tackle-for-loss of two) back plays in the backfield on back-to-back plays.
- The Deacs took over at NC State's own 32-yard line with 2:30 left.
The Deacs forced another three-and-out on NC State's next possession, highlighted by a combined stop from Chelen Garnes and Jasheen Davis on 2nd and 10.
- NC State got the ball back after a missed 35-yard field goal by Wake Forest.
Wake Forest embarked on a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to take a 7-3 lead with 10:19 remaining in the first half.
- After a pass interference penalty on NC State moved the Deacs into the red zone, Christian Turner powered his way into the end zone from two yards out.
- A pair of huge plays on 3rd down kept the Wake Forest drive alive:
  - 13-yard rush on 3rd and 3 by Turner.
  - 18-yard pass from Hartman to Ke'Shawn Williams.
The Wolfpack regained the lead (10-7) on its ensuing offensive drive, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass.
A spectacular catch in the end zone by Taylor Morin gave Wake Forest a 14-10 advantage with just over four minutes left in the second quarter.
- The 24 yard pitch and catch from Hartman to Morin capped off a eight-play, 75-yard drive.
The Wolfpack responded with a passing touchdown of their own to go into the halftime break with a 17-14 lead.
After a Wake Forest three-and-out, NC State added to its lead (24-14) with a one-yard touchdown pass with 6:14 remaining in the third.
A 51-yard field goal from NC State extended its lead to 27-14 with a little over two minutes left in the third.
- An interception gave the Wolfpack the ball at midfield.
The Demon Deacons defense forced an NC State punt as Wake Forest regained possession at their own one-yard line with 11:12 remaining in the game.
Wake Forest marched down the field, embarking on a 99-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 29-yard touchdown pass from Hartman to Perry in the back corner of the end zone.
- NC State got the ball back with 6:54 remaining in the game.
The Wolfpack extended its lead to nine (30-21) with a 25-yard field goal with 2:54 left in regulation.
NC State forced a turnover on downs on Wake Forest's next offensive drive, getting the ball back with 1:05 remaining. The Wolfpack ran the clock out to clinch the win.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Redshirt junior A.T. Perry led Wake Forest's receiving corps with new career highs in catches (12) and yards (159). The performance marked Perry's third 100-yard receiving game of the season as well as the 10th of his career. The Lake Worth, Fla. native became just the fifth Demon Deacon in program history to accomplish this feat over the course of their career.

HISTORIC RIVALRY
Saturday marked only the third meeting when both teams came in nationally ranked. Last season, the No. 12 Demon Deacons downed the No. 16 Pack in Winston-Salem, while in 1992, No. 13 NC State beat No. 25 Wake Forest at Carter-Finley Stadium. This historic rivalry has been played continuously since 1910, which is the longest continuous rivalry in the ACC and the second-longest in the FBS (Wisconsin-Minnesota have met every year since 1906).

FROM COACH CLAWSON
"Congrats to Dave Doeren and NC State. It was a hard-fought game and they outplayed us. They made more plays. We turned the ball over too often. Our guys battled, though. They battled for all 60 minutes and that's a really good defense. I thought we had a good week of preparation. I thought our guys played hard and played with great effort. The execution at times was not there and again, we made too many mistakes. We're a team that can't turn the football over and we turned it over multiple times tonight and we just had too many penalties. It was one of those games that we just never got in a rhythm. Our guys battled, competed and made plays."

UP NEXT
Wake Forest returns to Truist Field next week on Saturday, Nov. 12 against No. 17 North Carolina. Fans can purchase tickets now.

No. 19 Wake Forest Drops Hard-Fought Road Contest at No. 20 NC State

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No. 19 Wake Forest Drops Hard-Fought Road Contest at No. 20 NC State

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