RALEIGH, NC – The Wolfpack found themself back in the win column Saturday after beating Northern Illinois by a score of 24-17 from Carter Finley Stadium to move to 3-2 on the season.
The Wolfpack defense was active all afternoon, totaling 12 tackles for a loss, the most since they had 13 against Boston College in 2022. NC State forced four Huskie turnovers, which they converted into 13 points. It is the second straight season NC State has had a game forcing four turnovers (11/4/23 vs. Miami)
NIU hadn’t given up a sack in the last six games going back to last year; the Wolfpack made a living in the backfield, getting to the quarterback four times. Caden Fordham and Sean Brown led the way with 13 tackles, including six solo tackles, a tackle for a loss, and one forced fumble. The 13 tackles from Brown and Fordham are the most since Payton Wilson had 15 against UNC last season.
Davin Vann also had double-digit tackles, with Vann racking up three and a half tackles for a loss and forcing two fumbles. DK Kaufman not only sacked the QB once but also forced a fumble and recovered the ball for a touchdown to put the Pack up 14-7. It was the first fumble the Wolfpack had returned for a touchdown since Brandon Bishop had done so in 2011 against Georgia Tech.
With the visiting Huskies driving, looking to tie the game with only seconds on the clock, Temarcus Tmac Cooley sealed the deal with his first interception with the Wolfpack in the endzone to end the game.
NC State had the field position advantage all game, with Caden Noonkester pinning Northern Illinois within the 20 seven times. Noonkester had eight punts for 398 yards, averaging 49.8 yards per punt with four more than 50 yards.
Quarterback CJ Baily got it done with his arms and legs, throwing for 108 yards and a touchdown, going 13-20 in the air, and then 22 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Another freshman contributed in the Wolfpack receiving game, with Noah Rogers leading the team with 48 yards on two receptions.
Totaling 63 total yards rushing as a team, Jordan Waters led the ground game with eight carries for 23 yards.
Kanoah Vinesett was perfect from 37 yards out in the second quarter to extend the Wolfpack lead to double digits. NC State went into halftime with the lead for the first time this season.
Having not scored a touchdown since scoring three in the season opener, KC Concepcion caught a three-yard score for his 14th career touchdown.
NC State moves to 2-0 all-time against Northern Illinois following their first meeting in 1997.
The Wolfpack home stand continues next week, Saturday, Oct. 5, at noon as the Wolfpack play their second ACC game, welcoming Wake Forest to Carter-Finley on the CW Network.
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