For nearly an entire half, NC State avoided the turnover problem that has plagued the team all season. But it wouldn't last, as two interceptions sandwiched around halftime changed the face of the game.
Daniel Evans threw two interceptions, one to end the first half that kept the Pack from putting points on the board then another to start the second half that Florida State's Michael Ray Garvin returned for a touchdown. The Seminoles cruised from there, as the Pack never threatened to score again, losing 27-10 on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.
Seminole wide receiver Greg Carr lite up the Wolfpack secondary for 140 yards and a touchdown, as quarterback Xavier Lee went to the junior receiver for multiple passing plays of over 40 yards. Evans finished the game with 171 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Jamelle Eugene took over most of the running back duties in the second half as the Pack lost running back Andre Brown to a fractured foot. The Pack has already lost Toney Baker, its leading rusher in 2006, to a season-ending injury. Eugene took advantage of the opportunity, finishing with 94 yards on the ground and five touches for 30 yards.
The Seminoles wasted no time putting points on the board, with Xavier Lee hitting Gregg Carr on the first play from scrimmage for a 53-yard gain. Two plays later, Lee scampered into the endzone for an 3-yard touchdown run to put the Seminoles up 7-0.
But the Pack answered right back, as Brown and Eugene took care of the legwork to help make it a 7-7 game. The two backs touched the ball on six consecutive plays, getting the Pack all the way down to the 2-yard line. From there, Evans hit receiver John Dunlap on a slant route in the endzone to tie up the game.
Steven Hauschka gave the Pack its first lead of the game, 10-7, later in the first quarter to cap another impressive drive. The Wolfpack converted three third downs on the drive, including a 3rd-and-12 and a 3rd-and-9 before being halted at the 'Noles 5-yard line.
Two missed field goals in the second quarter helped the Pack maintain its lead, as Gary Cismesia missed on attempts of 51 and 26 yards. Cismesia did finally put one through with five minutes left in the second quarter, though, hitting a 39-yard attempt to tie the game at 10 a piece.
The turnover problems that have plagued the Pack all year reared its head again during the first drive of the second half for the Pack. Evans tried to hit Marcus Stone on the right sideline on 3rd-and-long, but 'Nole cornerback Michael Ray Garvin jumped the route and sprinted 46 yards for a touchdown to give Florida State a 17-10 lead. It was the second interception of the game for Evans, who threw a pick late in the first half deep in Seminole territory.
After long lightning delay, the 'Noles struck again at the start of the fourth quarter. Aided by a roughing the kicker penalty on 4th-and-22 that kept the drive alive, Lee hit Carr again for a 40-yard touchdown. Carr somehow managed to haul in the pass despite a severely under thrown pass on the part of Lee, giving the Seminoles a 24-10 lead. Cismesia added a 28-yard field goal to make the score 27-10 later in the fourth.