Wilson Electric As Pack Outduels Pitt 38-31

The Big East doesn't quite see the ACC as a power conference on the gridiron. It's apparent by news articles, radio shows and internet message board talk leading up to the Pitt vs. NC State matchup. The Pitt Panthers are favored by many to be the top team in the Big East, a conference that holds their football pretty high. The fact is, Raleigh doesn't exactly take their football lightly either. Fueled by an electric Russell Wilson and the dynamic ground attack of Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene, and a defense that has defied all expectation, the Wolfpack showed the nation that they are ready for the big time, as they defeated Pitt 38-31. In what was a old western style shootout, the Pack's Russell Wilson had the quickest draw. With Pitt's offense able to convert big plays, it was Wilson who kept the back within reach all night long, hitting Taylor Gentry, Toney Baker, Jarvis Williams and George Bryan for touchdowns. Wilson threw for 322 yards, rushed for a team best 89 yards and added those four touchdowns.

"I'm going to do whatever it takes to win because that's what matters. (The touchdown passes) helped us win tonight but I'll run the ball or throw it. I've got to credit the offensive line for giving me enough time to make the throws, and the wide receivers really caught the ball well in the crucial situations." said Wilson

This type of performance, Pitt simply couldn't keep pace with. While the Pack defense was not as dominant as they had been through the first three weeks, they came up with timely stops over and over again. This gave Wilson and company a chance to make something special happen, which is something Wilson has thrived at over his two seasons at NC State. This win, however, was not walk in the park. After clawing to stay in the game all night, Toney Baker's fourth quarter, 2 yard touchdown finally gave the Wolfpack the lead. After a defensive stop the Pack had to simply milk the final 2 minutes off the game clock, but a errant snap led to a turnover that put Pitt on the ten yard line with a chance to tie. That's when Brandon Bishop and the Wolfpack defense closed the door, denying Pitt a yard on four consecutive play and giving the Pack their third victory of the season.

"Our coaches put us in a position to make plays. When you're in the right position and you go out there to execute, good things happen. That's all that really ahppened today. We made some mistakes, but down the stretch we were able to make some plays and that does give you confidence" Bishop said.

The win gives the Pack a 3-1 record and drops Pitt to an identical 3-1. The feeling in Raleigh tonight is a bit different than it has been in the past. The fans saw a team come together tonight. They saw their ball club take on a bigger, more intimidating opponent and out-fight them to the very end. With the ACC opener less than a week away, the Wolfpack faithful can only hope this is only the start of something special.

NC State vs. Pitt: Unofficial Box Score

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**Scroll down for video interviews and Coach Tom O'Brien's press conference recap to hear what the players and coaches thought of the Pack victory. **