Wolfpack knock off the Cardinals
RALEIGH, N.C. — Nyheim Hines ran for two touchdowns and Ryan Finley threw for another to help No. 24 North Carolina State beat No. 17 Louisville 39-25 on Thursday night.
Hines ran for 102 yards and had a 48-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter that helped set up a touchdown drive for the Wolfpack (5-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Finley threw for 367 yards and a 48-yard score to Kelvin Harmon, part of N.C. State’s 520 total yards on a night it never trailed against the Cardinals (4-2, 1-2).
Then there was the Wolfpack’s defensive front, which kept the pressure on reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.
“They don’t want to be denied what they feel is theirs right now,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “There’s no flinch in these guys, I can tell you that.”
Jackson ran for his second touchdown to pull the Cardinals to 32-25 with 4:10 left, then got the ball back with a chance to tie it. But linebacker Germaine Pratt picked up a deflected pass and returned it 25 yards — blasting through an attempted tackle by Jackson near the goal line — for a clinching score with 2:52 left.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Cardinals coach Bobby Petrino said. “I’m not getting it done. I’ve got to do a better job with our coaches, do a better job with our players and get back on the right track.”
San Diego State wants new stadium
San Diego State has hired Populous to design a football stadium in Mission Valley that could also be used by a pro soccer team.
Athletic director J.D. Wicker said that San Diego State wants a 35,000-seat stadium that could be expanded to 55,000 seats if the NFL ever returns. The Chargers left for Los Angeles earlier this year because it couldn’t get a new stadium.
A concept is due by the end of November.
Last week, a group of SDSU supporters launched a ballot initiative to buy 132 acres of land at the site of SDCCU Stadium, formerly known as Qualcomm Stadium. Wicker hopes a new stadium could be open by fall of 2021 or 2022. The school also wants to use part of the large stadium site to expand its campus.
Another group has proposed a 23,500-seat stadium for an expansion MLS team that could be enlarged by 10,000 seats if SDSU partners on that project.
“San Diego State has played in Mission Valley for 50 years and we plan on playing there another 50 years and having a good partner,” Wicker said.
Etc.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said that he will wait until kickoff of Saturday’s game at North Carolina to name his starting quarterback. Junior Brandon Wimbush, who has led the 21stranked Irish to a 4-1 start, is still recovering from the right foot strain that has been bothering him since Notre Dame’s 52-17 victory over Miami (Ohio) last Saturday. Limited in practice, Wimbush has been sharing reps on the No. 1 offensive unit with sophomore Ian Book . ... No. 21 Florida will pay tribute to local legend Tom Petty during its game against Louisiana State on Saturday. The Gators announced they will play Petty hit “I Won’t Back Down” at the end of the third quarter at Florida Field.