First up: Best non-conference win
It's hard to top Notre Dame in 2002, but since I did that one last year, and because the actual game wasn't that close, I'm going with something different.
The year was 1997. The Pack was coming off of back to back 3-8 seasons and not much was expected in 97 either. Our first opponent....at Syracuse. Syracuse was home to Heisman candidate Donovan McNabb. They were ranked #13, and were coming off of a 34-0 beatdown of Wisconsin in the Kickoff Classic. It wasn't expected to be much of a game in the Carrier Dome, but what a game it was.
The game started off in the worst possible way. On the first play from scrimmage, McNabb to Spotwood, 67 yards and a touchdown.
After NC State was quickly stopped on their first drive, Syracuse began driving again. This time, the NC State defense held, but a fumbled punt return set up Syracuse in the red zone, and they quickly scored again to go up 14-0.
The Syracuse sideline was feeling good, but little did they know this was the year of the team rubber bands. All the Pack players were wearing them on their wrists signifying unity and strength in numbers. We were going to need it.
However, sophomore Jamie Barnette was poised beyond his years, and he led the Pack down the field to at least get on the board, pushing the score to 14-3. After another Wolfpack stop, Barnette hooked up with Torry Holt on a 37 yard TD pass, and the Pack was back in business. Torry Holt was a junior, and certainly a returning star, but this national TV game really put him on the map, and was a springboard to two of the best years an NC State receiver has ever had.
A late Syracuse field goal pushed the score to 17-10 going into halftime. Certainly a good spot after the disastrous start..
A relatively uneventful 3rd quarter, led to an NC State 3rd down and 9 on the Syracuse 19 with 25 seconds left in the quarter. Barnette dropped back and found Holt again. Touchdown Wolfpack! And the game is tied!
Midway through the 4th quarter, Syracuse struck back with a 72 yard punt return by Spotwood. 24-17 'Cuse. And the drama was just beginning.
On the next drive, Barnette converts an important third down at midfield to Mark Thomas (Yes, the radio guy) with 7:47 left. Now, 3rd and 5 at the 35....5:50 to go. Barnette again, this time to Tremayne Stephens down the sideline. FIRST AND GOAL NC STATE. Two plays later....Third down again from the 9. Barnette scrambles, hits Mark Thomas over the middle. TOUCHDOWN. Tied again at 24-24.
Now with just four minutes to go Syracuse began the drive for a winning score. On a 2nd and 21, McNabb hits Spotwood on a 52 yard pass to the 6 yard line. 1:07 to play. Only 2 timeouts left for the Pack. This baby is going to be over. Three kneeldowns and a field goal should do it. 1st down run for Syracuse gains a couple with the clock ticking. 2nd down, Mcnabb straight ahead gains 2 more. NC State timeout with 30 seconds to play. Can Syracuse punch it in, or will they kneel down and take the field goal?
Handoff to a freshman. He reaches for the goal line....is it a touchdown? Wait, NC State is running to the right....WITH THE BALL....Syracuse has fumbled at the 1 and we have the ball! Unbelieveable! 20 seconds to go and time to run out the clock. Poor game management by Pasqualoni (and we'll see it again). We're going to overtime!
Syracuse gets the ball first, and on a 3rd and 3 from the 18 McNabb with the TD pass to put Syracuse up 31-24. Now it's our turn. A pass to Thomas, and then a pass to Holt. First down. A 1 yard run and an incomplete pass, and now it's 3rd and 9 at the 12. Syracuse on the blitz. Barnette with the scramble...all the way to the 2..First and goal. Option keeper down to the 1. 2nd and goal. Hand off to Tremayne Stephens. Touchdown Pack!
We're going to double overtime....wait, we're going for two? we're going for two! Pasqualoni desperately tries to call time out, but noone sees him. Holt, over the middle, Barnette waits, passes to Holt. GOT IT! WOLFPACK WINS! The Pack storms the field, and the crowd is silent except for a couple thousand red State fans in the corner. NC State with the upset 32-31!
Next up tomorrow: Best win over our conference opening opponent Wake Forest
Today's honorable mention:
2002 Gator Bowl over Notre Dame
1999 over Texas
1995 Peach Bowl over Mississippi State
1992 Kickoff Classic over Iowa
1986 over South Carolina with video
1967 over Houston (probably the real winner if someone knows this game and wants to recap it)
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