Live Thread: NC State, Florida State Clash Under the Lights
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RALEIGH — NC State is ready to welcome the Florida State Seminoles to Carter-Finley Stadium for a Friday night showdown under the brightest of lights. While both teams struggled through the first 10 games of their seasons, the pair still has a lot to play for with 5-5 records and bowl eligibility still on the line.
The Wolfpack has been a different team at home, winning four of five games in the City of Oaks and two of three night kickoffs at the Carter. The game has particular meaning for Dave Doeren, as the program is celebrating Military Appreciation Night at the stadium. Doeren, who grew up in a military family, would love nothing more than to get a win for the armed service members in attendance.
Florida State failed to beat NC State in its last three matchups against the Wolfpack. With Mike Norvell's seat still sizzling, the Seminoles need a strong finish to save what otherwise could be another lost season with an expensive roster.
Will the Wolfpack bounce back from last week's debacle in South Florida, or will Florida State rise to the occasion on the road and hand NC State its sixth loss of the 2025 season? Follow our Live Game Thread to find out. Also, feel free to check out our predictions and full preview podcast before the game gets going.
Live Game Thread
PREGAME: Starting right tackle Teague Andersen and rotation linebacker AJ Richardson both not dressed pregame.
PREGAME: NC State wins the coin toss and elects to receive.
START FIRST QUARTER
BIG PLAY: Wolfpack RB Hollywood Smothers gains 27 yards on his first carry.
SACK: Wolfpack QB CJ Bailey sacked for a loss of 5 yards on third down.
PUNT: Caden Noonkester boots it to the FSU 10-yard line. 44-yard punt.
BIG PLAY: Seminole QB Tommy Castellanos hits Lawayne McCoy for a gain of 22 yards. Now on NC State's 35.
TURNOVER: Wolfpack defensive back Devon Marshall intercepts a Castellanos pass and returns it 17 yards to the NC State 27.
BALL HAWK @Devon8274 #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/phNQcdwVc2
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 22, 2025
PENALTY: Bailey's pass to TE Dante Daniels on third down incomplete, but FSU safety Ashlynd Barker interfered with Daniels. NC State knocking on the door of the red zone.
SCORING UPDATE: Bailey finds WR Terrell Anderson for a 23-yard touchdown. Anderson beat his man and had enough space to turn around and haul in the rainbow pass. NC State leads 7-0, 2:56 Q1.
.@rellsteppin getting the scoring started!#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/DBzRN5j0j6
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 22, 2025
PENALTY: NC State DB Jackson Vick with a massive hit on McCoy. Officials reviewing for a potential targeting penalty.
REVIEW: After further review, there is no targeting on the play. Completion of five yards for the Seminoles.
PENALTY: FSU offense false starts, 2/10 coming up for the Seminoles on their own 20.
END FIRST QUARTER
START SECOND QUARTER
SCORING UPDATE: Marshall with another pass breakup, FSU forced to kick a field goal. 46-yard attempt good from Brunno Reus.
SACK: Bailey sacked on another third down; the initial ruling on the field was a fumble recovered by the Seminoles. However, the call was overturned and NC State punted it away.
PUNT: Noonkester boots it to the FSU 15.
FIRST DOWN: Castellanos with a gain of 7 yards to convert on a fourth down. On the NC State 31 now.
PENALTY: First an illegal formation, then a false start. 1/20 coming up for the Seminoles from the NC State 27.
MISSED FIELD GOAL: FSU called for a delay of game. Weinberg's field goal attempt from 35 yards is no good.
PENALTY: Smothers' gain of three yards called back after LT Jacarrius Peak held on the play. NC State now on its own 12.
PUNT: NC State booted it away after a three-and-out.
PUNT: FSU couldn't capitalize and needed to punt right after.
HALFTIME, NC State 7 - 3 FSU
START THIRD QUARTER
PENALTY: FSU hit with a holding call, moves them back.
PUNT: No traction for the Seminole offense, three-and-out to start the second half.
FOURTH-DOWN CONVERSION: Freshman QB Will Wilson pounded forward for a short-yardage to get to the Wolfpack's own 34.
BIG PLAY: Wilson with a gain of 16 on the ground for the Wolfpack. Now on the FSU 41.
INJURY TIMEOUT: NC State TE Cody Hardy down on the field after another Wilson run play.
PENALTY: Pass interference in the end zone by FSU defenders on TE Justin Joly. NC State set up on the 1-yard line.
PENALTY: FSU called for 12-men on the field. Wolfpack inching closer.
SCORING UPDATE: After being stuffed on the goal line once, FSU couldn't stop Will Wilson a second time, as the freshman piled in for a touchdown. NC State leads FSU 14-3, 4:17 Q3.
Will Wilson punches it in!#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/YJHnnPIZiQ
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 22, 2025
INJURY TIMEOUT: FSU WR Duce Robinson nearly made a big catch down the sideline but couldn't come up with the grab. He went down with an injury right after.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Castellanos fired a ball downfield under pressure to nobody and the Pack takes over around midfield.
END THIRD QUARTER
PUNT: NC State forced to punt it away after Bailey was sacked.
SCORING UPDATE: Castellanos led the Seminoles down the field on an 86-yard scoring drive and fired a touchdown over the middle to Robinson. FSU converted a two-point conversion to make it 14-11, 8:17 Q4.
SACK: After a nice start to the drive, the Wolfpack drive stalled and Bailey was sacked on third down.
PUNT: Noonkester boots away, the ball bounces off the helmet of a FSU player and ends up back in the hands of the Wolfpack after rolling 26 yards the wrong way for the Seminoles.
PENALTY: NC State false starts on third-and-short and then Bailey nearly throws a pick.
PUNT: Noonkester's second punt is muffed as well and the Wolfpack takes over on the FSU 16.
TWO-MINUTE TIMEOUT, NC State leads 14-11.
SCORING UPDATE: The Wolfpack gambles on fourth down and Bailey hits TE Justin Joly for a 12-yard touchdown. NC State leads 21-11, 1:47 Q4.
MISSED FIELD GOAL: Weinberg no good from 51. NC State takes over with 1:16 left in the game.
TURNOVER: Devon Marshall ends the game with his second interception.
FINAL: NC State wins 21-11.
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Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.
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