Saturday, November 21
Raleigh, N.C.
7:30 p.m.
NC State
15
vs
14
Liberty
Pack Defense Leads to 15-14 Win Over #21 Liberty on #PackUnited Night
11/21/2020 11:24:00 PM | Football
LB Vi Jones blocks late field goal attempt
RALEIGH, N.C. – A blocked field goal in the final two minutes preserved NC State's 15-14 home win over previously beaten Liberty Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium.
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With NC State leading by one late, Liberty drove the ball down to the Pack's 28-yard line and attempted a 39-yard field goal with 1:20 left. Pack LB Vi Jones was in the middle of the field and leaped up to record the block, his third blocked kick of the season.
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In addition to the blocked field goal, the Pack's defense recorded three interceptions, three sacks and a safety in the victory.
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NC State recorded its first win over a ranked foe at Carter-Finley Stadium since #17 Louisville in 2017, and the first at home over a ranked non-conference foe since #15 East Carolina in 2007.
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After a scoreless first quarter, NC State broke the scoreless tie with the game's first touchdown midway through the second quarter. RB Zonovan Knight scored his team-leading sixth TD of the year from 19 yards out to give the Pack the 7-0 lead.
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Liberty notched the equalizer with just 19 seconds left in the first half, capping an 84-yard drive with a 12-yard TD pass.
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At the half, the game was tied 7-7.
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After forcing a Pack punt on the first possession of the second half, Liberty went 53 yards and took the lead with a 6-yard TD pass eight minutes into the third quarter.
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After a punt by QB Bailey Hockman pinned Liberty back to its two-yard line, LB Isaiah Moore recorded a safety on the very next play to bring the Pack to within 14-9 to go into the fourth quarter.
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After Fr. CB Aydan White's first career interception gave the Pack the ball at the Liberty 26-yard line, Knight again found the end zone from four yards out this time for the TD. After a failed two-point conversion, NC State held a 15-14 lead with 6:53 left for the game's final score.
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The Wolfpack honored the efforts of its student-athletes in their quest for social justice and change in tonight's #PackUnited game. NC State athletics' PackUnited initiative has been led by the student-athletes and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) since its inception in late spring.Â
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#PackUnited encourages NC State's student-athletes to use their platform to push for change and is focused on three platforms: awareness, action, and education. The football team has worn a patch all season spotlighting the initiative.
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WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE
6 plays, 59 yards, 2:24
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After a quarter and a half of scoreless action, NC State notched the first TD of the day. Zonovan capped a 6-play, 59-yard drive with 19-yard TD run with 6:56 left in the first half. On the drive, NC State had four rushes for 51 of the 59 yards on the drive.
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STAT LEADERS
QB Bailey Hockman
14-of-27 for 154 yards
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RB Zonovan Knight
14 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TDs
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RB Ricky Person, Jr.
14 rushes for 82 yards
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LB Isaiah Moore
13 tackles, 2 TFLs, 0.5 sacks
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LB Payton Wilson
12 tackles, 1.5 TFLs
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NOTABLES
• In the third quarter, LB Isaiah Moore forced a safety. It was the first for the Wolfpack defense since Terrell Manning vs. UNC in 2010.
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• The NC State defense recorded three interceptions for the third in a game this season (at Pitt, at Virginia).
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• Today's game was the first time NC State went into the second quarter tied 0-0 this season. The 14 combined points in the first half were the least in a Pack game since last year's win over Syracuse (13).
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UP NEXT
NC State will be back in road action next weekend, as the Pack will head up to Syracuse. The game time will be announced on Sunday.
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With NC State leading by one late, Liberty drove the ball down to the Pack's 28-yard line and attempted a 39-yard field goal with 1:20 left. Pack LB Vi Jones was in the middle of the field and leaped up to record the block, his third blocked kick of the season.
BLOCKED 😱@PackFootball // @ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/QWkZL9aTu3
— FOX Sports South (@FOXSportsSouth) November 22, 2020
In addition to the blocked field goal, the Pack's defense recorded three interceptions, three sacks and a safety in the victory.
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NC State recorded its first win over a ranked foe at Carter-Finley Stadium since #17 Louisville in 2017, and the first at home over a ranked non-conference foe since #15 East Carolina in 2007.
Â
After a scoreless first quarter, NC State broke the scoreless tie with the game's first touchdown midway through the second quarter. RB Zonovan Knight scored his team-leading sixth TD of the year from 19 yards out to give the Pack the 7-0 lead.
Â
Liberty notched the equalizer with just 19 seconds left in the first half, capping an 84-yard drive with a 12-yard TD pass.
Â
At the half, the game was tied 7-7.
Â
After forcing a Pack punt on the first possession of the second half, Liberty went 53 yards and took the lead with a 6-yard TD pass eight minutes into the third quarter.
Â
After a punt by QB Bailey Hockman pinned Liberty back to its two-yard line, LB Isaiah Moore recorded a safety on the very next play to bring the Pack to within 14-9 to go into the fourth quarter.
Â
After Fr. CB Aydan White's first career interception gave the Pack the ball at the Liberty 26-yard line, Knight again found the end zone from four yards out this time for the TD. After a failed two-point conversion, NC State held a 15-14 lead with 6:53 left for the game's final score.
Â
The Wolfpack honored the efforts of its student-athletes in their quest for social justice and change in tonight's #PackUnited game. NC State athletics' PackUnited initiative has been led by the student-athletes and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) since its inception in late spring.Â
Â
#PackUnited encourages NC State's student-athletes to use their platform to push for change and is focused on three platforms: awareness, action, and education. The football team has worn a patch all season spotlighting the initiative.
At tonight's game we celebrate our student-led #PackUnited initiative, which focuses on three platforms: awareness, action, and education. Thanks to @NCSU_SAAC for their commitment to social justice and change. pic.twitter.com/46w3ktbHbf
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 22, 2020
WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE
6 plays, 59 yards, 2:24
Â
After a quarter and a half of scoreless action, NC State notched the first TD of the day. Zonovan capped a 6-play, 59-yard drive with 19-yard TD run with 6:56 left in the first half. On the drive, NC State had four rushes for 51 of the 59 yards on the drive.
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STAT LEADERS
QB Bailey Hockman
14-of-27 for 154 yards
Â
RB Zonovan Knight
14 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TDs
Â
RB Ricky Person, Jr.
14 rushes for 82 yards
Â
LB Isaiah Moore
13 tackles, 2 TFLs, 0.5 sacks
Â
LB Payton Wilson
12 tackles, 1.5 TFLs
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NOTABLES
• In the third quarter, LB Isaiah Moore forced a safety. It was the first for the Wolfpack defense since Terrell Manning vs. UNC in 2010.
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• The NC State defense recorded three interceptions for the third in a game this season (at Pitt, at Virginia).
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• Today's game was the first time NC State went into the second quarter tied 0-0 this season. The 14 combined points in the first half were the least in a Pack game since last year's win over Syracuse (13).
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UP NEXT
NC State will be back in road action next weekend, as the Pack will head up to Syracuse. The game time will be announced on Sunday.
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Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
LB
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