No. 19 NC State loses to Wake Forest in devastating fashion (Video)
No. 19 NC State lost to Wake Forest in absolutely devastating fashion Saturday night.
The Demon Deacons took a 30-24 lead on a John Wolford touchdown pass to Tabari Hines (the third TD connection between the two) with 8:03 to play, but the extra point was blocked, making the lead six instead of seven. NC State took over and marched its way down the field, taking time off the clock in the process.
As the clock ticked under 2:00, the Wolfpack had a first and 10 from the Wake 11-yard line. Ryan Finley connected with Emeka Emezie on a quick out. Emezie made two defenders miss at the 5 and worked his way toward the goal line. But Wake’s Ja’Sir Taylor stuck with the play. He missed Emezie the first time, but stayed on his feet, kept pursuit and made the hit on Emezie along with Demetrius Kemp just before Emezie could stretch it across the goal line.
No. 34 Kemp, who was credited with the strip, then hopped on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchback.
It was really close, but the play was correctly ruled a fumble.
Wake Forest then regained possession with 1:51 to go. NC State had only two timeouts, so the Demon Deacons took 1:10 off the clock before punting it back to the Wolfpack.
NC State had one final chance, taking over at its own 45 with 41 seconds remaining. The Wolfpack advanced to the Wake 35, but Finley threw an interception to seal the win for Wake Forest.
Both teams are now 7-4 overall on the season. Wake can reach eight wins for the first time under Dave Clawson next week against Duke. NC State will finish off the regular season against North Carolina.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
