The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1436409
26 ■ THE WOLFPACKER who ran for 968 yards and a league-high 19 touchdowns during the regular season, Thomas stepped up with one of his best games in a Wolfpack uniform. Thomas had 15 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a pair of sacks. He also broke up a pass. He helped lead a defense that was one of just two during the regular season to keep Cunningham out of the end zone rushing, and also limited him to less than a 50-percent completion rate for the only time this year in a game. Cunningham, who completed 62.0 percent of his passes during the season for 2,734 yards and 18 touchdowns with six picks, was 11-of-28 passing (39.3 percent) for 219 yards and a touchdown with a pick in what was Louisville's most-lopsided ACC loss, 28-13. Top Three Offensive Plays Of The Year Given that there were too many candidates to choose from, here are three receptions made during a season full of highlight-worthy catches that stood out for the offensive plays of the year: 1. Redshirt sophomore Devin Carter's game winner vs. Clemson On second-and-seven in the second over- time against then-top-10 Clemson, Leary lofted a pass deep into the right corner of the end zone. Carter was able to turn to his left to grab the ball inches off the ground be- tween two Clemson defenders for the score, prompting ABC play-by-play announcer Mark Jones to proclaim, "Caught! Miracu- lously! Carter!" Clemson would not score on its attempt to match the Wolfpack touchdown, preserving a 27-21 double-overtime victory for NC State and leading to a storm-rushing of the field from the students and fans. 2. Senior Emeka Emezie's game winner vs. North Carolina The comeback against UNC will be re- membered for generations by Wolfpack foot- ball fans. The go-ahead touchdown came from Emezie. Unlike his first score in the rally, when a busted coverage left the senior receiver wide open for a 64-yard touchdown, this time UNC safety Cam'Ron Kelly had the correct read on Leary's pass. For an instant, it looked like Kelly would get there in time for an intercep- tion. It would have represented a bit of redemption for Kelly, who appeared to be primarily responsible for allowing Emezie to get open on the prior score. But the 6-3, 212-pound Emezie was too big and strong for the 6-1, 210-pound Kelly. Emezie simply outfought Kelly for the catch and emerged with the touchdown while Kelly fell to the ground. 3. Carter's improbable touchdown catch at Boston College Carter's 40-yard reception against the Eagles on the Pack's opening drive was so good that Boston College defensive back Elijah Jones had no clue that Carter had even made the catch. Jones ran stride-for-stride with Carter down the sideline, but he never turned to face the ball, which was slightly un- derthrown. Carter reached around Jones and was able to make a juggling, left- handed catch behind Jones' back with the defender unaware. With Jones standing at the 5-yard line staring in the wrong direction, Carter slowly turned and stepped into the end zone for the touchdown, leaving Jones holding his palms up in the universal ex- pression for, "What happened?" Defensive Play Of The Year The win over North Carolina was not the only time this season that NC State had a walk-off interception to secure a victory. With five seconds left, Louisiana Tech Sophomore linebacker Drake Thomas led the Wolfpack in total tackles (100), tackles for loss (13.5) and interceptions (three). He also tied for the team lead with six sacks. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN