ACC Football Power Rankings 2017: Week 2 edition

The North Carolina State Wolfpack lost 35-28 in their season opener, moving down just slightly after such a gutsy performance against the South Carolina Gamecocks. It had the atmosphere of a rivalry game as both teams traded scores all game long.

Things were all knotted up at 21 at halftime but the Gamecocks were able to put up 14 points in the third quarter which proved to be enough in the end.

The Wolfpack got an impressive performance from quarterback Ryan Finley who threw the ball a whopping 64 times for 415 passing yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Jaylen Samuels had a team-high 15 receptions for 85 receiving yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Kelvin Harmon had 10 receptions for 114 receiving yards.

Neither team could do much in the running game although each scored at least a rushing touchdown. The NC State defense held the Gamecocks to just 31 rushing yards in the game. The difference was Deebo Samuel for South Carolina. He had a 97-yard kick off return to open the game then went on to catch five receptions for 83 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The Gamecocks made enough big plays while the Wolfpack could not. Two fumbles, one in the first half and another in the second half, turned the tide for NC State and in the end, they couldn’t overcome the deficit. They had chances in the fourth quarter, but a late attempt at the goal line proved ineffective in their comeback efforts.

Mistake-free football is the name of the game for NC State in Week Two against the Marshall Thundering Herd. The Thundering Herd are 1-0 after defeating Miami (Ohio) 31-26 in their season opener.