At the half in Raleigh, NC State holds a 13-0 lead over Syracuse.
Christopher Dunn put NC State up 6-0 early field goals of 32 and 43 yards in the first quarter, but the Wolfpack finally posted the half’s only touchdowns at the 1:16 mark of the second quarter on a double pass from quarterback Bailey Hockman to wide receiver Thayer Thomas and then to a wide open running back Trent Pennix for a 32-yard touchdown.
Syracuse’s offense has been unable to get a single thing going thus far. Tommy DeVito has completed 10 of his first 14 passes, but for just 70 yards while taking five sacks for minus-39 yards, meaning the Orange’s first 19 pass calls have netted just 31 yards. DeVito finally hit a big play just before the end of the half, a 52-yard rainbow to Thriston Jackson, but DeVito took his sixth sack of the half on the next play, forcing a 44-yard Andre Smzyt field goal try, which doinked off the left upright.
Syracuse gained just 117 yards in the first half, while NC State put up 216.
NC State will receive to open the second half which, considering the way the half went for Syracuse, might be a good thing for the Orange.