by Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech had the lead and the momentum heading into the halftime lockerroom Saturday afternoon at Carter Finley Stadium.
Buck Buchanan’s program record-tying 57-yard field goal with just 13 seconds left in the first half capped a 17-point outburst over the final three minutes of the second quarter, giving Tech (1-1) a 17-6 halftime advantage.
However, the momentum was short-lived.
NC State (2-1) used a 33-yard interception return for a TD by DK Kaufman on just the third play from scrimmage in the third quarter to put life back into the Wolfpack faithful and outscored Tech 24-3 over the final two quarters to defeat the Bulldogs 30-20.
“NC State is known for creating takeaways,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie on the pick six. “We did not pick up the protection and Jack Turner was hit as he went to throw. That was the one thing we did not want to have happen.”
For the second straight game, the Bulldog defense played well, holding the Wolfpack in check for the vast majority of the game and knocking NC State starting quarterback Grayson McCall out of the game late in the second quarter.
However, the Bulldogs defensive unit was on the field for almost 37 of the 60 minute contest and began to wear down over the final 15 minutes with the game on the line.
“I thought our defense played well,” said Cumbie. “It was a long time for our defense to be out there. We had too many three and outs by the offense, and I think that weighed on them toward the end of the game.”
Part of the Bulldogs issue Saturday was the lack of a run game as Tech managed just 43 yards on 19 carries, thus putting pressure on Turner and the passing game.
Turner had a number of bright spots, completing 19-of-36 passes for 281 yards and one score with one interception. Tech’s O-line held up in pass protection, allowing Turner to find a number of chunk plays throughout the game.
With the Bulldogs trailing 6-0 late in the second quarter, Turner picked up a first down with a 10-yard scamper and then found Tru Edwards for a 41-yard gain down to the Wolfpack five-yard line. Donerio Davenport gave Tech its first lead on a 5-yard scamper one play later as the Bulldogs led 7-6.
Following a three-and-out by NC State, Edwards recorded the play of the game for Tech, snaring a slant pass, breaking two tackles and outracing the Wolfpack defenders 71 yards for a TD and a 14-6 lead. Edwards finished the game with four catches for a career-high 148 yards.
Wolfpack freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, thrust into action with the injury to McCall, was intercepted by Kolbe Fields on NC State’s next possession. It turned into three more points as Buchanan’s record-tying kick gave the Bulldogs an 11-point halftime lead.
“I was very proud of their effort,” said Cumbie. “They played with a physical style of football. We spent the first quarter on offense not executing. We answered the bell and executed plays though in the second quarter.
“Then the defense and special teams fed off each other. We did what we could not do on our first drive and that is give up six points. We did not execute at the level we needed to in the second half to win.”
After NC State took a 20-17 lead in the third quarter, Tech marched down the field thanks to a pair of connections between Turner and Jay Wilkerson. The Bulldogs had a second down and goal from the 1-yard line but a negative running play and an incomplete pass forced a second Buchanan field goal, tying the game at 20-20.
NC State would outscore the Bulldogs 10-0 over the final 15 minutes to pick up the win.
CJ Harris led Tech with 10 tackles, including three tackles for loss, while Zach Zimos and Demarcus Griffin-Taylor each added nine stops.
Tech will host Tulsa Saturday at 6 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium.
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