Florida State took an early 10-0 lead, closing out the first quarter with a 43-yard field goal by kicker Dustin Hopkins. NC State had the ball to open the second quarter and finally got their offense moving. Quarterback Mike Glennon began to get things going in the passing game, including a 17-yard pass to T.J. Graham. The drive was almost thwarted however when Glennon rolled out to his right and was nearly picked off by Lamarcus Joyner. There wasn't a single NC State receiver in the area, but there were four FSU defenders. The interception was reversed after replay review, as Joyner bobbled the football as he went to the ground. Glennon wound up throwing incomplete on third and long as the Wolfpack missed short on a 51-yard field goal try.
The Noles got the football back and their offense continued to move the ball through the air. E.J. Manuel hit wide receiver Bert Reed on back to back passing plays to pick up chunks of yardage and move the chains. Running back Jermaine Thomas got the Noles into the redzone with a 15-yard run down the sideline. On the very next play, running back Lonnie Pryor had an amazing run that looked like it was stuffed at the line, but he drug NC State defenders 8 yards to get himself into the endzone for a touchdown as FSU took a 17-0 lead.
On NC State's next drive, their offense continued to struggled as FSU's defense continued to harass Mike Glennon with their front four. After an NC State punt that hit an FSU player in the elbow and nearly recovered by the Wolfback, the Noles picked up a drive killing holding penalty on first down and wound up going three-and-out. The Noles were able to pin NC State deep on the punt however, downing it on the 6-yard line.
The Wolfpack was able to get out of being pinned deep thanks to some nice throws by Mike Glennon, but Glennon was picked off by Xavier Rhodes when he tried to take a shot deep and overthrew his receiver right into Rhodes hands. The receiver was double covered on the play. The Noles offense made the Wolfpack pay for the turnover. Thanks to a 32-yard slip screen to Jermaine Thomas, getting the Noles in the redzone. Two plays later Manuel hit Kenny Shaw in the endzone for a 20-yard touchdown pass and the 24-0 lead.
At the half, Manuel is 17 of 22 for 212 yards and a touchdown.
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