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RALEIGH, NC — Aydan White wrapped his arms around an errant fourth-down throw and broke his left side. There was nothing in the way, just a handful of North Carolina State teammates in black jerseys eager to accompany him in the end zone convoy.
“It’s DB’s dream, seeing nothing but green,” White said.
That 84-yard interception return for a touchdown was the marquee play in a defensive-minded performance that helped the 16th-ranked Wolfpack beat Texas Tech 27-14 on Saturday night. NC State finished with four sacks and four takeaways against the top passing offense in the Bowl Subdivision.
“I expect our defense to be a strength,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “With that many starters coming back, they should be.”
That episode stymied quarterback Donovan Smith and shut down any ground game the Red Raiders tried to muster. White’s fourth-down pick highlighted Smith’s overturned second-quarter pass, with White taking the interception down the left side and those three teammates running with him all the way to the end zone.
White also had a second late pick with a minute left and the Wolfpack (3-0) bagged on Cornen’s back blitz. As Texas Tech (2-1) tried to make a late push after falling behind 20-0, Jacqueen Harris came up with his own fourth-down interception near midfield with 8:38 left.
The 3-yard keeper cut the deficit to 27-14 and Smith ran for a touchdown to lead the Red Raiders. But after Texas Tech forced the ball back on a three-and-out, Smith fired three straight passes incomplete, putting Harris over the middle to put the Wolfpack in control.
“We’re going to face some of the best defenses in the Big 12,” first-year Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire said. We have to put ourselves in good shape. … But there are some things we need to do as workers to put these people in a better situation.
The take
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have raised expectations for McGuire, who was picked to finish ninth in the 10-team Big 12 but upset Houston last weekend. The defense made things difficult for the Wolfpack. But he didn’t find his offense until the team fell behind and lost a fumble with three picks to go.
NC State: Much of the preseason attention has focused on the presence of Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year Devin Leary at quarterback. But NC State managed 270 total yards against a unit that ranked 14th in the FBS, returning 10 starters (19.7) and 21st in total defense (331.6 yards). Lineman CJ Clark had two sacks as the Wolfpack allowed 54 yards on 26 carries to stifle the Red Raiders’ rushing game.
Implications of public opinion
A defensive performance against a power-conference opponent may be enough for some voters to bump the Wolfpack up on their AP Top 25 poll.
Going back
NC State had its own offensive problems, including stalled drives and a penalty that nullified a trick-play touchdown in the first quarter.
And then there was Demi Sumo-Carngbaye’s big mistake late in the third quarter. He missed a catch for a sure TD as he was pushed out of the end zone near the goal line.
Doren sought out his sophomore run later and challenged him.
“I found him on the bench,” Doren said. “He lowered his head. I asked him to look me in the eyes and said: ‘You have to make up for that. You’re going to get a chance.”
On the Wolfpack’s next offensive snap, Sumo-Carngbaye scored his second TD of the night on a 38-yard catch from Thayer Thomas’ trick-play early in the fourth for a 27-7 lead.
“After something bad like that happened, I really appreciate[Doeren]giving me a chance,” he said.
RAMIREZ injury
Texas Tech linebacker Bryce Ramirez was sidelined in the first quarter with a serious leg injury.
Ramirez’s left leg, which was planted in the turf, rolled over and was injured against Wolfpack running back Jordan Houston.
His leg was unusually twisted as he lay on the grass, and the team’s training staff used a towel to cover his lower left leg as they began treating him. He was later taken to the hospital’s trauma center.
Next
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders host No. 21 Texas next weekend in their Big 12 opener.
NC State: Connecticut visits Raleigh next Saturday in the Wolfpack’s final conference game.
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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap
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