Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Seminoles hope to rebound vs. Wolfpack
Florida State’s three-game winning streak was snapped with a disappointing road loss at Clemson last week. The Seminoles led midway through the fourth quarter but couldn’t finish as the Tigers scored 13 unanswered points in the final seven minutes.
FSU returns home against N.C. State which is coming off an impressive win over Louisville where the defense held the Cardinals to a season-low 13 points.
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium When: 4 p.m. TV: ACC Network Radio: Seminole Sports Network/ Sirius XM Ch. 137/193/955 Weather: 66 degrees, 16% percent rain chance Favorite: NC State by 3 points Quick slant: FSU has lost three of the last four meetings, including 38-22 in Raleigh last season, but is 6-1 in Tallahassee. The Wolfpack are bowl-eligible for the second straight season and the seventh time in the nine seasons under Dave Doeren. Coaches: Mike Norvell, second season, 6-11 (44-27 overall); Dave Doeren, ninth season, 61-48 (84-52 overall) About Florida State (3-5, 2-3 ACC): Defensive end Jermaine Johnson II added to his leagueleading sack total (8) after taking down Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei last week. Uiagalelei fumbled and Johnson scooped up the football and returned it 6 yards for a touchdown. It was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown by FSU’s defense since 2017 . .... Tailback Jashaun Corbin continues to lead the conference in average rushing yards per attempt (7.52) while teammate Treshaun Ward is third (7.10) . ... Tight end Camren McDonald has a team-high 18 receptions and has recorded multiple receptions in 6 of 8 games. About NC State (6-2, 3-1 ACC): Quarterback Devin Leary ranks fifth in the ACC in passing yards per game (270) and is one of four passers in the conference with at least 20 passing touchdowns. After throwing 2 interceptions in his first 75 pass attempts, Leary has gone 211 attempts without a pick . ... Trenton Gill is second in the conference in punting average (45.6 yards per kick) and first among all ACC kickers with 18 punts of 50 or more yards . ... For the third straight season, Emeka Emezie leads the Wolfpack in receptions (42) and receiving yards (543).
3 things to watch
■ Grounded out. NC State’s defense hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown in 1 2 straight quarters dating to its double-overtime win against Clemson. The Wolfpack haven’t allowed a 1 0 0 -yard rusher since a loss to Kentucky in last season’s TaxSlayer Bowl. FSU, meanwhile, ranks second in the ACC in rushing offense with the Seminoles rushing for at least 2 0 0 yards in six times.
■ Turnover battle. Florida State has forced 6 takeaways in the past two games and 8 over the last four. The Seminoles have won the turnover battle three straight games. N.C. State hasn’t turned the ball over in four straight games.
■ Red-zone efficiency. FSU has scored on 1 7 consecutive trips in the red zone dating to the loss to Louisville. NC State also has been efficient inside the opponent’s 2 0 -yard line, scoring on 1 4 straight attempts over the last four games.