Thomas’ TD return helps NC State defeat Ball State
Published 10:00 pm Saturday, September 21, 2019
- North Carolina State's Zonovan Knight (24) stretches for additional yards after being hit by Ball State defenders during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
By Aaron Beard
AP Sports Writer
RALEIGH (AP) — Thayer Thomas had a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter while Max Fisher blocked a fourth-quarter punt to set up another score and help North Carolina State beat Ball State 34-23 on Saturday night.
Malik Dunlap recovered Fisher’s block, putting the Wolfpack at the Cardinals’ 7-yard line. Matthew McKay scored on a keeper three plays later at the 8:41 mark to help the Wolfpack stay in control.
McKay also ran for a second-quarter TD for N.C. State (3-1), which saw its offense slow significantly after halftime. But the Wolfpack turned away the Cardinals’ last best push on Chris Ingram’s end-zone interception with 3:43 left.
Justin Hall and Caleb Huntley ran for scores for Ball State (1-3), which entered with one of the nation’s top passing attacks behind Drew Plitt. Plitt threw for 333 yards but failed to connect for a score for the first time this year.
THE TAKEAWAY
N.C. State: The special teams came up big. Thomas had the biggest play when he took a punt, weaved through midfield and broke into the open for the TD return — N.C. State’s first since Nyheim Hines did it at Pittsburgh in 2017, a span of 22 games. Then there was Fisher’s block to give the Wolfpack a short field. N.C. State needed all of it, too, considering the offense managed just five first downs after halftime.
UP NEXT
Ball State: The Cardinals have an open date next week and return to action at Northern Illinois on Oct. 5.
N.C. State: Florida State hosts the Wolfpack in N.C. State’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener next Saturday.