Wolfpack Weekend Review: Wake Forest (L, 30-24)

Philip Thompson: Not a great day to be a fan of the Wolfpack. The ‘house of horrors’ known as Grove Stadium continues to haunt the Pack as State lost for the 6th time in 7 tries in Winston-Salem. Wake Forest is a solid team led by the ageless Riley Skinner, but this is a game they certainly had opportunities to win. This was a tough way to start ACC play, but NC State will not be the last to lose to the Deacs this season

Game Thoughts:

• Wilson throws Interception: It had to happen eventually, as Russell Wilson threw two picks on Saturday. They both proved to be very costly. However, on the final interception, Donald Bowens, the intended receiver, made little effort to help out his quarterback.
• Silly Penalties: At times on Saturday, it looked like Chuck Amato was still working the sidelines. The Pack extended multiple Wake Forest drives while crippling themselves.
• Poor Tackling: Needing to stop Wake Forest on a 3rd down with 1:30 left in the 4 would be Pack tacklers were not able to bring Josh Adams down on his was to getting the game clinching 1st down.
• It could be worse: Just ask our hated rivals how their day went Saturday...

Lawrence Jordan: Russel Wilson's streak had to end at some point, and the steak came to an abrupt and ugly end. The Pack's run defense showed up Saturday, but what happened to the secondary? The Deacs could only manage 30 total yards on the ground (including Skinners -33 yards on 6 sacks), but allowed 361 yards in the air in a career day for Skinner. The Atlantic Division is wide open right now, and the Pack did not want to open its conference play with a loss.