1978 Tangerine Bowl Recap

NC State 30, Pittsburgh 17
December 23, 1978
Orlando Stadium • Orlando, Fla.

Ted Brown closed out his fabulous collegiate career with an outstanding game as the Wolfpack swept past 16th-ranked Pittsburgh, 30-17, in the 1978 Tangerine Bowl.

Brown, who was the Most Valuable Offensive Player, carried the ball 28 times for 126 yards, including a one-yard plunge for State’s first score.

Following Brown’s touchdown, the Pack took a 10-0 lead when kicker Nathan Ritter nailed a 51-yard field goal to establish a Tangerine Bowl record.

On the Pack’s next possession, reserve quarterback John Isley, who was giving starter Scott Smith a breather, connected with flanker Lee Jukes on a 55-yard scoring bomb. The touchdown gave State a 17-0 advantage, and Coach Bo Rein’s club was well on its way to its second bowl win in as many years. In the second half, Ritter added two more field goals of 29 yards and 23 yards.

State’s final points came on a 66-yard interception return by safety Mike Nall. The Pack’s tough defense shut down Pitt’s highly-regarded offense, keeping the Panthers out of the end zone until the fourth quarter. The NCSU secondary had an excellent game, picking off four Pitt passes.

SCORING SUMMARY	1	2	3	4	F
Pittsburgh	0	0	3	14	17
NC State	7	10	3	10	30

NCSU Brown 1 run (Ritter kick)
NCSU FG Ritter 51
NCSU Ray 55 pass from Isley (Ritter kick)
Pitt FG Schubert 37
NCSU FG Ritter 29
NCSU FG Ritter 23
Pitt Jacobs 1 run (Schubert kick)
NCSU Nall 66 pass interception (Ritter kick)
Pitt Carter 1 run (Schubert kick)

TEAM STATISTICS	Pitt	NCSU
Rushes-Yards	34-110	60-207
Passing Yards	268	103
Comp-Att-Int	32-48-4	6-9-0
Return Yards	0	108
Fumbles-Lost	2-0	3-2
Penalties-Yards	7-70	8-60
Punting	6-41	5-36

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing - (NCSU) Brown 28-126
               (Pitt) Jacobs 12-61
Passing - (NCSU) Smith 5-6-0, 52
              (Pitt) Trocano 27-38-3
Receiving - (NCSU) Jukes 3-90
                 (Pitt) Collier 4-86

ATTENDANCE: 31,356

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