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Game Balls: Standouts from NC State’s loss to Louisville

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman09/30/23fleischman_noah
Sean Brown
Sep 29, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Sean Brown (0) celebrates a sack during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Louisville Cardinals won 13-10.

NC State lost to Louisville 13-10 Friday night at Carter-Finley Stadium to drop its first ACC contest of the season. The Wolfpack led by 10 at the break, but allowed the Cardinals to score 13 unanswered to hand NC State its second loss of the season.

The Wolfpack went 3-of-15 on third down and was outgained 306-201 in total yards. While NC State had control of the game in the first half, it lost all momentum in the second with turnovers — a graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong fumble and an interception — killing the two Wolfpack’s drives. 

NC State’s defense shined in the contest. It forced three turnovers — two interceptions and a fumble — but the Wolfpack offense only scored three points, a Braden Narveson 48-yard field goal to end the first half, on the short fields. 

Though NC State fell in the contest, TheWolfpacker.com is acknowledging those that sparked the Wolfpack three game balls after its week 5 contest. 

S Sean Brown: The Charlotte, N.C., native was all over the field to lead the Wolfpack’s defense for three quarters of the contest — he was flagged for targeting on a hard hit with two minutes to play in the third period. Before his night ended prematurely, Brown was easily one of NC State’s best defensive players on the field with a pair of sacks, including a forced fumble. He finished the night with eight total tackles, second-most on the team. 

WR Terrell Timmons Jr.: The sophomore wideout was the Wolfpack’s best receiving threat against the Cardinals. He recorded the Wolfpack’s longest offensive play of the night, a 45-yard reception on a deep ball from graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong. The Greensboro, N.C., native was targeted four times and didn’t record a drop. Timmons finished the night with three receptions for 71 yards to pace NC State’s wide receivers. 

LB Payton Wilson: What can’t Wilson do? He did it all against Louisville. Wilson recorded 10 tackles with a sack, a pass breakup and a key fake punt rush. NC State pulled a fake punt at midfield in the second quarter, and Wilson carried the ball three yards to pick up the first down. That allowed the Wolfpack to score its first touchdown of the contest. Wilson’s pass breakup was key, as a wide-open Cardinal was streaking down field, but he batted the ball away at the line of scrimmage.

The Wolfpack are back in action next Saturday to host Marshall at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

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