The North Carolina State Wolfpack kept their undefeated season alive by beating the South Florida Bulls by the score of 49-17 on Saturday night in Tampa, Florida. The Wolfpack had two difference makers on offense in sophomore wide receiver Bra'Lon Cherry and junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett in this game. Cherry not only rushed for two touchdowns but he also caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. His three touchdowns were the first three scored by the Wolfpack.
Mike White was back as the starting quarterback for the Bulls after picking up an injury in the previous game against Maryland. Head coach Willie Taggert decided to use both quarterbacks though as Quinton Flowers saw some game-action after the game was practically decided already.
In the first quarter, with about nine minutes on the clock, Bra'Lon Cherry scored his first rushing touchdown. It was a 17-yard run to cap off an impressive 7-play, 88-yard drive which gave NC State the lead over USF at 7-0. Ryeshene Bronson caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Mike White on the very next play from scrimmage to tie the game at seven. Next, with about a minute remaining in the first quarter, Brissett connected with Cherry on a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Wolfpack a 14-7 lead.
NC State would increase the lead just one minute into the second quarter as Bra'Lon Cherry scored another touchdown. This time, his third of the game, was a 3-yard touchdown run to capitalize on a USF fumble on their previous drive.
After holding the Bulls to another three-and-out, it would be Jaylen Samuels with a rushing touchdown of three yards. That capped off another impressive drive of 53 yards on eight plays to extend the lead to 28-7.
The scoring drives kept on coming for NC State in the second quarter, this time it was another passing touchdown. Jacoby Brissett threw an eight yard pass to Tony Creecy for the touchdown with 2:20 to go in the half. This capped off another long drive of 11 plays for 72 yards. The score going into halftime would be 35-7 in favor of the visitors.
North Carolina State would extend the lead on their first two drives of the second half. The first score came 3:30 in as Shadrach Thornton scampered in from eight yards out to push the lead to 42-7. The Wolfpack would score their final touchdown three minutes later on a 34-yard touchdown run from Matt Dayes.
South Florida would answer though with five minutes to go in the quarter as Marvin Kloss connected on a 43-yard field goal making it 49-10. The drive was made possible after NC State fumbled a punt return just a few minutes earlier. Finally, with about 30 seconds left in the quarter, Lamar Robbins picked off the pass from Garrett Leatham and returned the interception 46 yards for a touchdown. This brought the deficit at 49-17, which ended up as the final score.
North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Briskett finished the game completing 20-of-29 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. USF quarterback Matt White finished 4-of-16 for 82 yards and a touchdown. Former NFL coach Tony Dungy's son, Eric Dungy came in and caught a seven yard reception. USF's record is now 1-2, they will host Connecticut at Raymond James Stadium this coming Friday.