Key Figures From NC State’s 27-14 Win Over Texas Tech

The No. 16 NC State Wolfpack improved to 3-0 Saturday with a 27-14 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The showdown was the Pack’s biggest test of the nonconference schedule and while the offense struggled to click throughout much of the game, the defense and special teams ensured that the Pack came away with the win.

Let’s take a look at some of the key figures from the win:

2003

Technically, this is NC State’s first nonconference win over a Power 5 school since the Wolfpack beat the Red Raiders 49-21 on Sept. 20, 2003.

In the time since then, NC State has beaten Notre Dame (2016) and multiple members of the Big East, which was considered a Power Conference.

Whether or not you want to say this is NC State’s first nonconference Power 5 win in nearly two decades is up to you, but either way, it’s an important win for the Pack.

147 yards

Sophomore running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye racked up 147 total yards in the win, leading the Pack in receiving with 93 and finishing just three yards off junior running back Jordan Houston’s team-leading 57 rushing yards.

The sophomore also snagged two TDs and should have had a third, but fumbled on his way into the end zone.

28 yards

Despite the Red Raiders outgaining NC State by 28 yards in the first half, the Wolfpack took a 20-7 lead into the break thanks to the defense and special teams.

Graduate kicker Chirs Dunn drilled two field goals to start the scoring for the Pack, while the defense forced a trio of three-and-outs in the first half. Sophomore corner Aydan White also got in on the scoring with an 84-yard pick-6.

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With the offense not clicking, the defense and special teams unit did everything they needed to to stop the Red Raiders from taking advantage.

680 days

It’s been 680 days since NC State suffered a defeat at home, with Saturday’s win extending the winning streak to 12.

The Pack’s last loss at home came on Nov. 6, 2020, a 44-41 loss to Miami.

56,919 people

A big part of NC State’s success at home is the crowd and Saturday’s game was no exception. 56,919 people were in attendance for the win.

“It was an awesome environment, really appreciate the crowd noise,” said head coach Dave Doeren. “You guys always help us out. It is not like this everywhere. There is a reason we have the home win streak. It is how we are playing, it is how we are coaching, it is how you’re cheering. So thank you for that.”

Two trick plays

Although one of them didn’t count due to an ineligible receiver down field, graduate receiver Thayer Thomas found teammates in the end zone twice on Saturday.

On the first, which didn’t count, Thomas found Leary wide open in the corner of the end zone and then found Sumo-Karngbaye in the second half.

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The trick play that counted was an important one for both the Pack and Sumo-Karngbaye. The score put the Pack up 20 early in the fourth quarter and gave Sumo-Karngbaye some redemption after the running back fumbled on his way into the endzone on the previous drive.

“These are young men. They are 18-22. They are going to make mistakes,” Doeren said. “The biggest thing is they learn from them and they make up for them. It is great to see Demie do that. Very proud of him.”