11/21/25 10:51:00
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11/21 22:47 CST NC State tops Florida State 21-11 behind Joly's TD, 2 late
special-teams turnovers by Seminoles
NC State tops Florida State 21-11 behind Joly's TD, 2 late special-teams
turnovers by Seminoles
By AARON BEARD
AP Sports Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) --- Justin Joly had a clinching fourth-down touchdown catch
with 1:47 left --- coming after Florida State committed turnovers on
back-to-back late punt returns --- to help N.C. State hang for a 21-11 win
Friday night and become bowl eligible.
The Wolfpack (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) grinded to this win behind a
defense that allowed one TD and got a huge showing from cornerback Devon
Marshall with two interceptions and five pass breakups. The offense did its
best work on a 15-play drive lasting nearly 9 minutes, ending with Will Wilson
plowing through the left side for a 1-yard keeper and a 14-3 third-quarter lead.
But it was the special-teams miscues by the Seminoles (5-6, 2-6) that stood out
most.
Trailing 14-11, they forced the Wolfpack to punt near midfield, only for Caden
Noonkester's short kick to hit the helmet of FSU blocker K.J. Kirkland --- then
bounce about 25 yards back to Noonkester, who dove on the ball near the
original line of scrimmage with 3:53 left.
FSU again forced a punt, only to see Squirrel White muff the catch and have it
bounce right to N.C. State's Tra Thomas with 2:21 left.
C.J. Bailey followed with his second TD throw on the 12-yarder to Joly for the
21-11 lead.
Duce Robinson had a 9-yard TD catch from Tommy Castellanos midway through the
fourth for FSU's lone touchdown.
The takeaway
FSU: That caps another rough year in league play. FSU is 3-13 in ACC play since
the start of last year.
N.C. State: The Wolfpack went from handing No. 15 Georgia Tech its lone loss on
Nov. 1 to losing badly at No. 14 Miami last week. N.C. State regrouped to beat
FSU for a fourth straight time.
Up next
FSU: The Seminoles visit instate rival Florida on Nov. 21.
N.C. State: Rival North Carolina visits the Wolfpack on Nov. 29.
___
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