In a battle to determine the Atlantic Division front runner, and to maybe find out who is the best quarterback in the conference, N.C. State took the early lead midway through the first quarter on a rushing score by N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson. The Seminoles were held off of the scoreboard until 7:12 left in the half, when Christian Ponder led an 8 play, 75 yard drive and scored on an athletic dive that had to go to review first.
On the Wolfpack’s next possession, Dean Haynes fumbled the ball on the drive’s first play, and Ponder scored another touchdown on the ground, only 2:18 after the first touchdown.
The Seminole defense forced a punt, and Ponder continued to make a case as the best quarterback in the ACC by leading the offense 72 yards down the field in 2:29. He picked up his first throwing touchdown of the day, completing it to Willie Haulstead for the 21-7 lead.
Both teams are 5 for 9 on third downs, but FSU leads total yards 208-116. The Seminoles scored all three touchdowns in 6 minutes and 26 seconds.
The dynamic Russell Wilson looked out of sync for most of the half, and the Wolfpack will need him to figure out the problems for a chance at a victory.