SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 15, 2012
North Carolina State 31, South Alabama 7: Mike Glennon passed for 257 yards and three touchdowns as the Wolfpack cruised to a victory in their home opener over the Jaguars.
Glennon, who had four interceptions and completed just 55 percent of his passes in the first two games of the season, was on target throughout. The senior was 24-for-34 and did not have an interception.
N.C. State (2-1) allowed just seven points for the second straight game, while registering seven sacks and causing three turnovers. South Alabama (1-2) averted the shutout on a Ross Metheny eight-yard touchdown strike to Jeremy Jones with 5:20 left.
The Wolfpack went 80 yards in 12 plays on their first possession, capped by a 33-yard scoring strike from Glennon to Rashard Smith. After a David Amerson interception, Glennon connected with Bryan Underwood for 44 yards and N.C. State led 14-0 with 4:06 left in the first quarter.
South Alabama, in its final year of transition to full FBS status, fumbled midway through the second quarter and the Wolfpack capitalized with an 11-yard touchdown run by Tony Creecy. Glennon hit Quintin Payton for 13 yards and a score with 2:33 left in the second quarter and Wolfpack went to halftime up 28-0.
GAME NOTEBOOK: N.C. State’s leading rusher Mustafa Greene was suspended for the game. No reason was given. …The Wolfpack beat South Alabama 35-13 in Raleigh in their first meeting Sept. 17, 2011. … N.C. State safety Earl Wolff, hampered by an injury during the week, still made his 29th straight start.