Field Level Media
Sep 7, 2019
Freshman running back Zonovan Knight rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns as North Carolina State wore down visiting Western Carolina in a 41-0 victory on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.
Quarterback Matthew McKay completed 18 of 28 passes for 200 yards while playing just three quarters for NC State (2-0).
The Wolfpack haven't surrendered a touchdown in their last three regular-season games.
Western Carolina (0-2) had just 106 yards of total offense.
There wasn't a touchdown for either team Saturday until more than 21 1/2 minutes elapsed. Ricky Person Jr. ran 6 yards for a touchdown to complete a 65-yard march.
Knight followed with a 2-yard touchdown run about 4 1/2 minutes later to cap a 62-yard drive.
McKay's 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cary Angeline with 16 seconds to play in the first half made it 24-0.
North Carolina State drove 98 yards in 17 plays during the third quarter, with Knight scoring on a 2-yard run. The possession included a fourth-down penalty on Western Carolina for 12 players on the field when the Wolfpack were about to punt.
Jordan Houston ran for a 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Prior to the game, Western Carolina announced the suspension of four players for "a violation of team policies." That group included redshirt senior quarterback Tyrie Adams, who a week earlier set the school's career record for total yards.
Offensive lineman Matthew Blair and defensive lineman Adam Henderson, both starters, along with defensive lineman Elijah Hall also were given the team-imposed bans.
Will Jones, a redshirt sophomore who didn't play in Western Carolina's opener, threw for 98 yards by completing 15 of 27 passes.
In the second and third quarters combined, Western Carolina was held to one first down and 39 yards of total offense.
The Catamounts have lost 10 consecutive games dating to last September.
NC State has won all seven meetings with Western Carolina.
--Field Level Media