The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/49933
Head coach Tom O'Brien and the Wolfpack players all celebrated after NC State pulled out the amazing 56-41 comeback win over Maryland. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN utive year, State got the better of archrival UNC, this time 13-0 in Raleigh Nov. 5 for the first shutout win over the Heels since 1960. The winning streak against UNC matches the longest in school history. Best Individual Performance, Offense: Glennon saved his best for last. Against Maryland, he completed 36 of 55 passes for 306 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception. He also ran for a touchdown, and in the process tied sin- gle-game school records for most passing scores and total touchdown responsibility. Best Individual Performance, Defense: You could argue that sophomore corner- back David Amerson's two interceptions against Virginia Oct. 22 were the difference in NCSU's 28-14 win. His first pick, a div- ing haul along the sideline at the Virginia 33, set up a Glennon touchdown pass to redshirt freshman Bryan Underwood on the next play. Amerson returned his second interception for a touchdown. Play Of The Year: NC State's comeback against Maryland was highlighted by Glen- non rolling to his right and then throwing back across the field to fifth-year senior tight end George Bryan for a seven-yard touchdown with 2:18 left in the game, giv- ing State a 49-41 lead. Most Exciting Play: Palmer showcased his play-making skills with a 43-yard touchdown catch against Clemson. The pass was a simple flare to the sideline that Palmer actually hauled in around the Clem- son 46. He beat the first defender to the corner, ran around an effective block from fifth-year senior wide receiver Jay Smith, eluded a tackle from a Clemson defender at the 30, then split two defensive players with a cutback move at the 21 and then outraced six Tigers to the end zone, bounc- ing off a hit at the 4 and diving for the touchdown. Biggest Missed Opportunity: NC State had shut out UNC 13-0 in what was per- ceived as a must-win game. The Pack, however, followed that up a week later with a disappointing 14-10 loss at Boston College. Hindsight reveals that State may have caught BC at a bad time. The Eagles took Notre Dame to the wire in a competi- tive game and won at Miami in their final two games after NCSU, but State drove deep into Boston College territory twice in the fourth quarter and came up empty both times. After Virginia Tech and Clemson both received BCS bids, a win at Boston College may have earned State a chance to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta. Best Running Play: Junior running back James Washington brought the crowd to its feet when he dashed to a 46-yard touch- down run early in the third quarter against Georgia Tech Oct. 1. The score cut the Yel- low Jackets' lead to 21-14. Best Passing Play: Wake Forest called for an all-out blitz on Glennon with the Pack facing fourth-and-10 at its own 37 JANUARY 2012 ■ 33