The Wolfpacker

26 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State had a roller-coaster regu- lar season that saw it post a 7-5 record — including a 3-5 show- ing in the ACC — for the second straight year. That finish earned the Wolf- pack a bid to play Mississippi State in the Belk Bowl Dec. 30 in Charlotte. The postseason contest versus the Bull- dogs (8-4 overall and 4-4 in the SEC) and the extra bowl practices that come with it will be beneficial to the 2016 NC State team. The Pack featured 15 starters in the regular-season finale against North Caro- lina that could be back next year, plus the healthy return of junior running back Mat- thew Dayes. On special teams, all three specialists and both return guys also should return. The Wolfpacker takes a look back at the moments that helped define the 2015 season. Biggest Win: NC State thoroughly de- feated Syracuse 42-29 Nov. 21, and the score wasn't indicative of how lopsided the game was. The Orange — which finished 4-8, ahead of Wake Forest and Boston Col- lege teams that both finished 3-9 and also lost to NCSU — scored a pair of cosmetic touchdowns in the final six minutes of the contest. The Wolfpack racked up 511 total yards and 27 first downs, and limited Syra- cuse to 292 yards. Offensive MVP: Fifth-year senior quar- terback Jacoby Brissett proved to be in the right place at the right time to usher the Wolfpack through what could have been a tough transition under head coach Dave Doeren. The Florida transfer, who has notched a 15-10 record in his two years as a starter at NCSU, enters the bowl game with 2,448 passing yards, 19 touchdown tosses and just four interceptions. In addition, he Twists & Turns The Most Memorable Moments Of The 2015 Season Junior Matthew Dayes turned in NC State's best rushing performance in a decade, racking up 205 yards on 16 carries while notching scoring runs of 85 and 59 yards in the Pack's 35-17 win at Wake Forest Oct. 24. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN

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