NC State-Georgia Tech Notebook

Postgame notes from NC State's 31-23 loss to Georgia Tech.

Box Score

Recap: Ball Leads Tech Past State, 31-23

Chuck Amato Audio + Quotes

Wolfpack Players Locker Room Report

NC State-Georgia Tech Notebook

Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball threw for four touchdowns, the most passing TDs given up by the Wolfpack defense since the 2004 Miami game (5 TDs). Coming into the game, the Pack had given up a league-low five TD passes on the year.

NC State's Daniel Evans threw for career-highs of 21 completions, 53 attempts (7th-most in school history), and 270 total yards. The 53 attempts is the most for NC State since Philip Rivers had 57 versus Arkansas State in 2000.

Pat Lowery returned a second quarter interception for a score, the first interception of his career and his first career score. Lowery is the first NC State player to score off an interception since Marcus Hudson last year against Maryland, and the first linebacker to do so since Stephen Tulloch last year against Middle Tennessee State off an opponent's turnover.

Darrell Blackman returned the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for a touchdown. It was the first kickoff return for a score for NC State since Tramain Hall did so against ECU in 2004. It was also the first kick returned for a score to open a half since Lamont Reid returned the opening kick against East Tennessee State in 2002.

NC State scored in the first quarter (34-yard field goal) for only the third time this season, and the first time since BC. The Pack now has 15 total points in the first quarter this season.

The game was the third straight game NC State failed to score an offensive touchdown in the first half. It was the 19th straight contest the Pack scored 24 or less (the last 10 of last year and the first nine this season). That streak is the most since 24 games from 1969-71.

John Deraney kicked three field goals on the day and now has 36 for his career, moving him into sole possession of fourth place in career field goals at NC State.

After allowing Tech to 268 yards of total offense in the first half, the NC State defense held the Yellow Jackets to just 11 yards on 14 plays in the 3rd quarter.

Marcus Stone started the game at tight end, his appearance not at quarterback. Stone caught a 14-yard pass on NC State's first offensive play. Stone finished with two catches for 28 yards, the first receptions of his career.

NC State had a different starting five offensive linemen for the first time this season. Luke Lathan started at center and Meares Green started at right tackle (both making their first starts of the season) and Leroy Harris moved from center to left guard. James Newby (LT) and Curtis Crouch (RG) were in the same starting positions.