NC State Survives the Chaos, Clinches Bowl Eligibility Over FSU
If you like defensive slugfests, weird bounces, and Friday night drama, Carter-Finley Stadium was the only place to be. It wasn’t always a masterpiece, but NC State found a way to get it done, taking down Florida State 21-11 in a game that felt equal parts grit and absolute madness.
For the Wolfpack, this win wasn’t just about beating a falling giant in FSU; it was about resilience. Coming off a rough outing against Miami, Dave Doeren’s squad needed a bounce-back performance, and they got exactly that. With the victory, NC State is officially bowl-eligible for the 11th time under Doeren. That kind of consistency is hard to find in college football, even if the road to get there was a little bumpy.
NC State Defense Locks Down the Seminoles
Let’s be honest: the story of the night was the defense. With starting Corner Jamel Johnson out, there was plenty of anxiety about how the secondary would hold up. Enter Devon Marshall. The senior cornerback played the game of his life, snagging two interceptions and breaking up five passes. He completely erased FSU receiver Duce Robinson from the game plan.
The NC State defense frustrated FSU Quarterback Tommy Castellanos all night, holding him to a 50% completion rate. They bent a little, sure, but they never broke, limiting the Seminoles to just one touchdown. It was the kind of performance that makes a defensive coordinator sleep like a baby.
Offense Finds Rhythm In Critical Moments
Offensively, it was a grind, but CJ Bailey made the throws that mattered. The sophomore quarterback threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including a dagger to Justin Joly late in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach.
But the real backbreaker for FSU was a grueling, clock-eating drive in the third quarter. NC State marched down the field on a 15-play drive that ate up nearly nine minutes of game time. It ended with Will Wilson plowing into the end zone for a 1-yard score. It wasn’t flashy, but it was demoralizing for the opposition, and sometimes that’s all you need.
Special Teams Madness and “God’s Blessings”
You can’t talk about this game without mentioning the absolute comedy of errors that was Florida State’s special teams unit. Late in the game, FSU forced an NC State punt, and things got weird. The kick from Caden Noonkester was short, smacked off the helmet of an FSU blocker, and rolled 20 yards backward… right back into Noonkester’s arms.
Coach Doeren called it “God’s blessing,” but if you’re a Seminoles fan, it probably felt more like a curse. Moments later, FSU muffed another punt, setting up the Wolfpack’s final touchdown. It was a catastrophic meltdown for Florida State, but NC State was more than happy to take the gift and run with it.
Now, the Wolfpack turns its eyes to the regular-season finale. North Carolina comes to Raleigh next week for a massive rivalry showdown. If Friday night was any indication, Carter-Finley is going to be absolutely rocking.
