Ryan Finley – Noteworthy
North Carolina State went from dominating Boston College on both sides of the ball to frittering just about everything away – first momentum, then nearly all of a big second-half lead – in a suddenly close finish. And yet, the 23rd-ranked Wolfpack stayed unbeaten. Reggie Gallaspy ran for a career-best 104 yards and two touchdowns to help N.C. State beat Boston College 28-23, securing its best start in 16 years. There were plenty of problems, from four turnovers to having two kicks blocked. And the Wolfpack abruptly went from cruising with a 28-3 lead to needing Ryan Finley to connect on a late third-down passing play to hang onto the ball and run out the clock.
“Really proud of the resiliency of our guys, the toughness and the fortitude they had to finish,” coach Dave Doeren said. “It was sloppy, but it was awesome to find a way to win against a really good team.” Finley threw for two touchdowns for the Wolfpack (5-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), including his scoring strike to Kelvin Harmon for the 28-3 lead with 2:57 left in the third. Yet the Eagles – playing without injured running back AJ Dillion, their top player – responded with 20 straight points, the last being a blocked punt return with 3:33 left. – AP College Football