In a game that the NC State Wolfpack seemed to have firmly in hand, the Arizona Wildcats snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a dramatic last-minute drive, sealing a 31-28 win that left Wolfpack fans in disbelief.
From the opening kickoff, NC State dominated the field, showcasing a powerful offense and a tenacious defense. The Wolfpack led for the entire game, outgaining Arizona 488 yards to 370, and appeared on their way to a comfortable victory. However, crucial mistakes at pivotal moments ultimately cost them dearly.
Jordan Waters was a standout performer for NC State, carrying the ball 25 times for 124 yards and scoring a touchdown. His explosive running was a highlight, but a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter proved to be a turning point. As the Wolfpack looked to extend their lead, Waters lost possession, giving the Wildcats a short field to work with.
Arizona capitalized on the opportunity, to take the lead with just 40 seconds left in the game. NC State's defense had previously forced multiple fumbles, recovering one, but their offense's misstep gave Arizona the spark they needed.
With time running out, NC State attempted to salvage the game. Poor clock management led to a difficult decision: a 39-yard field goal attempt by Noah Vinesett, who had been perfect in the previous week. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, Vinesett's kick sailed left, sealing their fate and handing Arizona a stunning victory.
Coach Narcan and his team will certainly have plenty to analyze in the coming days. Despite the heartache, there were bright spots throughout the game, particularly on the offensive side, where the Wolfpack demonstrated the potential to be a formidable force in the season ahead.
As NC State reflects on this painful loss, the focus will need to shift quickly to their next matchup. With a few adjustments and improved execution, they have the chance to bounce back and reclaim their momentum.
For now, however, the Wolfpack will have to cope with the sting of a game that was theirs to win, serving as a sobering reminder of the fine line between victory and defeat in the world of college football.
Gunner Maldonado provided the spark Arizona needed on defense
NC State and Arizona would trade blows in the first half but the Wolfpack had more punch to take a 28-17 halftime lead. The defense of Arizona was getting torched again and the future looked dim. In the 2nd half, the Wildcats caught some momentum and never let up. On their opening 2nd half drive, Fifita engineered a touchdown and capped a drive on the ground to cut it to 28-24.
This would mean nothing if the Wildcat defense did not step up. They did just that and forced some punts but Arizona could not capitalize for the lead. After trading punts, NC State marched down inside the 5 yard line. With 4:47 they were denied on a QB sneak and now only 99 yards separated the Wildcats from a lead.
The final 4 minutes of the game saw 2 more punts as Rayshon Luke set Zona up on a 50 yard punt return with 2:48. This drive ended on a Fifita fumble with 1:56 and all hope was lost except for 3 Arizona timeouts. NC State had all but managed to close this out, until Gunner Maldonado finished off a gang tackle with a big hit to force a fumble. This turnover was key and erased all bad feelings of dropped picks and missed fumble recoveries
Suddenly Arizona was just 16 yards from the lead, and Quali Conley finished the drive to take a 31-28 lead with 0:43 left. The Wolfpack had time still and quickly executed down the field. But the game tying FG came up a little wide left. GG
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