Key Play Breakdown: Freudenthalian Slip x 3

How the Wolfpack allowed Wake Forest's tight end to get open on the goal line for touchdowns not once or twice, but three times

Everyone has heard the old saying "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me."

But what happens when a defense gets fooled by the same player three times?

That's what happened to NC State on Saturday as Wake Forest tight end Jack Freudenthal found his way into the open three times in goal line situations for touchdowns, leading the Deacons to a 44-10 rout of the Wolfpack.

So how did he get so open so many times? Here's a look at how the plays unfolded:

Touchdown No. 1 came on a play that began with Freudenthal lined up in the backfield as an H Back in front of quarterback Jamie Newman, looking as though he was set up to be a lead blocker for a power running play off right tackle.

State nickel Tyler Baker-Williams believes it's going to be a running play, too, and he bites hard on the play fake, allowing Freudenthal (at the end of the formation on the 7-yard line) to release cleanly.

Safety Jarius Morehead tries to recover and catch up with Freudenthal, but by that time it's too little, too late. It's just a matter of pitch and catch, and Newman doesn't miss, hitting his tight end for the score.

On touchdown No. 2, Freudenthall is once again lined up as an H Back -- only this time, in an otherwise empty backfield. As wide receiver Sage Surratt comes in motion toward the top of the screen, cornerback De'Von Graves (14) motions to his defense that the play is heading to the far side of the field.

As was the case earlier, State's defense is fooled by the play fake as linebacker Payton Wilson sells out to chase down Surratt on the jet sweep. In doing so, however, both he and Graves behind him totally ignore Freudenthal slipping out into open space.

Once again, it's just a matter of pitch and catch for the easy six.

Touchdown No. 3 starts with a different look, as Fruednthal lines up second from the end on the right side of the formation.

This time, Freudenthal engages his man as if he's blocking as Newman drops back to pass.

As Morehead follows running back Cade Carney into the flat and nickel Stephen Griffin tries to put pressure on Newman, Freudenthal is once again allowed to slip into into an open space and is wide open for yet another walk-in touchdown.