North Carolina State Wolfpack vs Florida State Seminoles Match Player Stats On Nov 14, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Nov 14, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- No. 16 Florida State rallied for a 34-17 win over North Carolina State on Saturday.

The Seminoles trailed 17-7 in the first quarter, but thanks to a quarterback change in the first half, the Seminoles managed to pull out a win and extend their ACC home win streak to 16 games.

Seminoles starter Everett Golson was responsible for three turnovers in the first quarter and a half -- one fumble and two interceptions -- and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher decided to pull him. Fisher replaced him with Sean Maguire, who led the Seminoles to 20 straight points and completely turned the game around.

Maguire, who received much of the blame following last week's loss to No. 1 Clemson when he was 16 of 29 for 164 yards and an interception, rebounded in a big way Saturday. He finished 18 of 28 for 231 yards and two touchdown passes, while Golson was just 5 of 9 for 52 yards and three turnovers.

Running back Dalvin Cook, who came into the game just 12 yards away from breaking Florida State's all-time single-season rushing record set by Warrick Dunn, got there on the sixth offensive play with an 11-yard run.

Cook finished with 138 yards on the ground and two rushing scores in the win for the Seminoles (8-2, 6-2 ACC).

N.C. State (6-4, 2-4) dual-threat QB Jacoby Brissett started the game well, going 7-of-10 for 55 yards and a touchdown and 22 yards rushing in the first quarter. But Brissett, who finished 27 of 47 for 209 yards passing, had just 154 yards passing after that hot start as the Wolfpack were shut out for the final three quarters.

N.C. State fullback Jaylen Samuels and Brissett both scored first-quarter touchdowns, but its final nine drives after jumping out to a 17-7 lead ended in seven punts, a fumble and a goal-line stuff by the Florida State defense on the final play of the game.

The Seminoles were led by defensive back Derwin James with a team-high 10 tackles. Defensive lineman Demarcus Walker recorded two sacks, while James added one.

The Wolfpack defense had its moments Saturday, forcing five turnovers. It got fumble recoveries from linebackers Arius Moore and Mike Rose -- who also had the team's only sack -- and three interceptions. Linebacker Jack Tocho and cornerback Niles Clark each picked off Golson in the first half, while Maguire threw a second-half interception to defensive end Bradley Chubb.

The Wolfpack's special teams also pulled off a successful fake punt in the fourth quarter with N.C. State behind, 27-17, but that drive later stalled.

N.C. State, which has dominated teams in the first quarter all season -- outscoring opponents 93-37 -- continued that trend to start the game against Florida State.

On the first play of the game, Rose sacked Golson, stripped the ball and recovered it, but N.C. State was held to only a field goal as kicker Kyle Bambard nailed a 31-yarder for the game's first points.

Cook would then gave the Seminoles a brief 7-3 lead on a 13-yard touchdown during the Seminoles' second drive. But it did not last long.

Following picks on back-to-back drives by Golson on the Seminoles' third and fourth chances with the ball, the Wolfpack scored the next 10 points. Brissett tossed a 2-yard TD to Samuels, then Brissett took it in himself from 2 yards out for a quick 10-point lead.

Fisher called on Maguire after Golson's second pick, and the Seminoles rallied to tie the game before intermission. Cook cut the deficit to 17-14 with a 30-yard rushing score with five minutes left in the second quarter. Then, following a Florida State defensive stop, Seminoles kicker Roberto Aguayo booted a 40-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining before halftime to tie the game 17-17.

NOTES: Florida State head coaching legend Bobby Bowden was in town Saturday for his only appearance with the program this season. Bowden was honored between the first and second quarters for the 35th anniversary of winning the Dodd Trophy, which celebrates the head coach of a team who is both successful on the field and off of it.

... Florida State's 39th consecutive winning season, which was secured with its win against Syracuse two weeks ago, is the nation's longest active streak ... N.C. State RB Jaylen Samuels was the Wolfpack's leading receiver and runner in the first half ... Florida State is 5-1 all-time against N.C. State in homecoming games and leads the all-time series 25-11 ... Florida State FB Freddie Stevenson was hurt in the first half (concussion) and did not return ... N.C. State's successful fourth-quarter fake punt was pulled off by a pass from P A.J. Cole to TE Cole Cook.