It was November 1st, 2003. TA McLendon was coming off a knee surgery, but he was back, and the Pack still had an outside shot at the ACC title. Two of the best QBs in the league were getting ready to match up: Philip Rivers and Matt Schaub. Both would go on to be NFL stars, and on this day neither disappointed.
Early in the first quarter after a Wolfpack punt pinned the Cavs deep. On third down, the snap went over Schaub's head into the end zone and it was recovered by Garland Heath to put NC State up 7-0.
But this would be the first of many scores in this one. UVA answered right back. Going 80 yards on a drive littered with future NFL players. Schaub, Heath Miller, Marques Hagans, Alvin Pearman, and Wali Lundy would all go on to play at least some in the NFL. It was Lundy who caught the 20 yard TD pass from Schaub, and the game was tied 7-7.
A UVA stop and another TD pass to Lundy made it 14-7, but the Wolfpack offense finally started to click. An 80 yard drive capped off with a 34 yard TD pass from Rivers to little used WR Chris Hawkins tied it back up at 14.
The first quarter came to an end tied, but not without UVA on the move again. Into NC State territory they went, kicking a field goal to retake the lead. Rivers with 80 more yards, finishing with a 33 TD to a more familiar target, Jerricho Cotchery.
A missed extra point had the potential to loom large, leaving the Pack up 20-17. Schaub seized the momentum again with passes of 63 and 17 yards to move ahead 24-20. Two Wolfpack fumbles slowed the momentum, but late in the half, NC State marched from their own 9 to the UVA 7, but with time running out, the Pack had to kick a field goal on the last play of the half, and went to the locker room trailing 24-23.
Early in the third, UVA had first and goal, but the NC State defense finally started to stiffen, holding the Cavs to a field goal.
As day had turned into night, NC State took the ball on their own 25. In one play, River to TJ Williams for 75 yards put the Pack back on top. The play was immortalized on the "Moon over Murphy" print that was popular at the time.
A sustained drive by UVA stalled deep in Pack territory again, and the Cavs settled for another field goal. This one tying the game at 30 and setting the stage for an epic 4th quarter.
Another big drive by the Pack, highlighted by a 45 yard swing pass to McLendon was capped by a 3 yard TD pass from Rivers to Chance Moyer.
The pressure was now on Schaub, who calmly marched the Cavs down the field inside the 10. The Wolfpack held on 3rd down, but Al Groh, went for it on 4th down. A misdirection screen to Walli Lundy who waltzed in untouched for his third TD. Tied again 37-37.
With time running down, NC State was forced to punt and gave the ball to UVA with just three minutes to go. If there was any time for a stop, now was the time. Pat Thomas on 2nd down came in for a huge 8 yard sack, and UVA was forced to punt two plays later. Now the stage was set. 1:47 to go and the Pack 68 yards from the end zone. A huge third down pass to Reggie Davis moved the chains. 19 more yards to Brian Clark and the Pack was close to field goal range. But that's not the way this one would end. With 31 seconds left, NC State on the 38. Handoff to McLendon. Through the hole, he bounces off two tacklers...and he's in the clear! 38 yards for the score. Carter Finley is rocking!
44-37 Pack! Schaub with little time left, desperately tries to bring the Cavs back, but on second down, Victor Stephens with the pick, and he races to the end zone for the icing on the cake. The party was on and the Pack wins 51-37.
Here are some highlights on youtube of the game
Today's honorable mention:
1994 NC State over #13 Virginia 30-27
2007 NC State over #15 Virginia 29-24
Next up tomorrow: Maryland
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