Willie Young News

N.C. State and North Carolina each want a strong finish to the regular season today, but only one will succeed.

Russell Wilson threw four touchdown passes and Alan-Michael Cash blocked a field goal with about 5 minutes left to help North Carolina State rally past No.

A I called my son Paul, a student at N.C. State, to console him after the Wolfpack's recent loss to Clemson, a team neither one of us particularly likes.

This side of the ball hasn't been State's problem. The Wolfpack ranks third in the ACC in scoring , pass offense and total offense .

N.C. State has had more than its share of demanding Saturdays this season, but Coach Tom O'Brien isn't sure that any of them will top today.

For those who think N.C. State's football players have nothing left to play for and no reason to be motivated, coach Tom O'Brien cites the example of senior middle linebacker Ray Michel.

RALEIGH, N.C. The Terrapin football team may have suffered the two biggest losses of its season Saturday in one wildly eventful afternoon.

RALEIGH, N.C. --

A back-and-forth offensive showcase in the first half Saturday set the stage for a second-half shootout between two capable quarterbacks. But when Maryland and North Carolina State returned to the field after halftime, only one team had the personnel needed to participate.

After Maryland quarterback Chris Turner was knocked out of the game late in the second quarter with a left knee injury, Maryland's offense could not keep pace with a Wolfpack offense that had collected 292 yards in the first half alone. Opportunistic defensive and special teams plays kept the Terrapins competitive, but they ultimately lost, 38-31.

Tom O'Brien told his North Carolina State players two months ago after they beat Pittsburgh that they weren't a good football team.

N.C. State's Michael Lemon celebrates with Markus Kuhn after Lemon pressured Maryland's Jamarr Robinson to throw an incomplete pass on the last play of the game during the Wolfpack's 38-31 victory.

Russell Wilson threw three touchdowns and ran for another, and North Carolina State snapped a four-game losing streak by holding off Maryland 38-31 on Saturday in a matchup of the ACC Atlantic Division's worst teams.

NC State faces Maryland today in a huge game for both teams. Kickoff is set for 1:00, and the game is not televised.

TALLAHASSEE -- There was that one play when an already hurting Christian Ponder was rocked by North Carolina State cornerback C.J. Wilson.

When told of how good Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder looked in the second half of the Seminoles' victory at North Carolina last week, North Carolina State coach Tom O'Brien cracked a smile.

North Carolina State's Willie Young lies on top of Pitt quarterback Bill Stull after sacking him earlier this season.

N.C. State has already experienced the peaks and valleys typical of a full season in just five games.

N.C. State will change at least three positions in its secondary this week because of lingering shortcomings.

North Carolina State is shaking up its defense after being unable to get needed stops in the Wolfpack's weekend loss at Wake Forest.

N.C. State's Willie Young hits Wake Forest's Riley Skinner causing him to lose the ball during the first half of N.C. State's game against Wake Forest Saturday Oct.

Joe Thomas isn't ashamed to admit he's looking over his shoulder. He is taking nothing for granted even though it appears he's entrenched at left guard for Pitt.