Courtesy GoPack.com
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Wolfpack defense shutout its first FBS opponent since 2011, and the Pack offense had a pair of running backs go over 100 yards rushing each in a 45-0 season opening win over visiting USF at Carter-Finley Stadium.
The Wolfpack (1-0) defense forced three interceptions and kept the Bulls’ offense under 300 yards for the game.
On offense, NC State posted 525 yards of total offense, including 293 on the ground – the highest rushing total since 2019 vs. Western Carolina. Pack running backs Zonovan Knight (163) and Ricky Person, Jr., (105) combined for 268 on the ground and combined for four total touchdowns.
The Pack got off to an ideal start in the game, a dominating first half on both sides of the ball.
After a USF punt on the first possession, the Pack marched right down the field using a 9-play, 76-yard drive for the opening touchdown as Leary found Person out of the backfield for 33 yards down the sideline.
Christopher Dunn added a 34-yard field goal as the Pack went up 10-0 after the opening quarter.
In that first quarter, the Pack’s defense limited the Bulls to just one first down and 21 yards of total offense.
Person added two more scores in the second quarter, both 11-yard scores by Person on the ground, and NC State took a 24-0 lead into the half.
NC State added three more touchdowns in the second half, and preserved the shutout with a defensive stop from the four-yard line in the final minute.
WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE – 9 plays, 76 yards in 3:26 – Leary to Person 33-yard TD
USF won the toss and elected to receive, but the Pack defense forced a punt after just four plays. The Pack offense turned that into the season’s first score, going 76 yards in nine plays. Leary found Person out of the backfield for 33 yards. On the drive, Leary was 4-of-5 for 62 yards.
STAT LEADERS
• QB Devin Leary
17-of-26 for 232 yards, 2 TDs
• RB Ricky Person, Jr.
16 rushes for 105 yards, 2 TDs
3 catches for 43 yards, 1 TD
• RB Zonovan Knight
16 rushes for 163 yards, 1 TD
• WR Emeka Emezie
5 catches for 71 yards
• LB Drake Thomas
8 tackles, 1 INT
NOTABLES
• The shutout was the 10th in a season opener since the Pack joined the ACC in 1954, and the first such since 2004 in the first game of the year (Richmond, 42-0).
• The 45-point margin of victory was the most in the first game of the season since 1990 vs. Western Carolina (67-0).
• The Pack had a pair of running backs – Knight and Person – both rush for over 100 yards. It marked the first time the Pack had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game since 2015 (South Alabama).
• For the second straight season, NC State took its opening possession of the season in for a touchdown.
UP NEXT
The Pack will be in road action next weekend, traveling to Mississippi State for a 7:30 p.m. (ET) contest.
