For The Strength Of The Pack Is The Wolf, And The Strength Of The Wolf Is The Pack

#46 NC State – 21
#19 Baylor – 7

WACO, Texas -- North Carolina State built a 21-0 lead and was able to keep the potent Baylor offense out of the end zone much of the game to come away with an opening round TNS upset. Much was expected of the Bears, who were taken highly in the draft, but Heisman winner Robert Griffin III will head to the cover of next year's edition of EA Sports NCAA College Football wondering what might have been.

After trading punts in the 1st quarter, the Wolfpack put together the first substantial drive of the day and faced 4th and 4 at the Baylor 29 yard line. Red elected to go for it rather than attempt the 47-yard field goal and QB Sean Glennon (filling in for depth chart starter Russell Wilson who was unable to compete in this year's tournament for any team after failing to get his permission slip signed in time) hit WR Chaz McQueen for 11 yards. The Pack got on the board first on the following play as Glennon found TE George Bryan after a play-action fake for the 18-yard touchdown.

NCSU forced a punt on the ensuing possession and took over at their own 25 with 30 seconds left before halftime. With Baylor getting the ball to start the third quarter, Red looked to extend the lead and Glennon was promptly picked off near midfield with 20 seconds remaining. Robert Griffin was sacked on 1st down before completing a 49-yard bomb to Josh Gordon who was taken down short of the end zone as time expired.

Baylor looked to be putting together a game-tying drive to open the 2nd half, but CB David Amerson stripped the ball free from RB Terrance Ganaway and CB Justin Byers scooped the fumble for a 62-yard touchdown return to give the Wolfpack a 14-0 advantage.

The Bears turned the ball over on downs on their own 45 the next possession and Red looked to put the game out of reach going for it on 4th and 10 - and finding WR Jay Smith for a 40-yard touchdown. The call was not met warmly. "I think it was wrong to go for it," Green said afterward.

"I'm thinking I'll get points with a field goal there and take [him] tying the game out of reach" said Red. "I lost yards on 3rd; didn't think I could make the kick. I missed one in the same spot the previous game" he continued. Smith pulled the catch in just beyond the first down line, but bounced off of two oncoming defenders and took it the rest of the way to the end zone.

Green quickly responded though, breaking off a 19-yard run by Griffin and then completing a 52-yard touchdown to WR Terrence Williams with 31 seconds remaining in the third.

It looked like they'd get the ball back right away too as Glennon was sacked before throwing an incompletion the following series, but he was to connect with WR TJ Graham for a 36-yard completion on 3rd and 16 to end the quarter.

After a Wolfpack punt, Baylor took over at their 10 yard line with 2:44 remaining but Griffin was sacked and threw three incomplete passes ending any chance of a comeback.

NC State was just 1 of 6 on third downs, but converted both fourth down attempts. They were also outgained by more than 100 yards (221-120) and had half as many first downs (8-4), yet were able to come away with a big opening round victory.

The Pack now await the winner of the #14 Florida State/#51 Northwestern matchup.

Stats:
NC State
QB Mike Glennon – 6 of 9, 97 yards, 2 TDs, INT
WR Jay Smith – 1 rec, 40 yards, TD
TE George Bryan – 1 rec, 18 yards, TD
CB David Amerson – 2 tackles, TFL, FF, 2 PBU
CB Justin Byers –  2 tackles, TFL, fumble recovery & TD, PBU
DE Rickey Dowdy – 2 sacks

Baylor
QB Robert Griffin – 8 of 21, 215 yards, TD
LB Chris McAllister – 6 tackles, 2 TFL