Defense literally couldn't get a stop in the second half
North Carolina held NC State to just seven points in the first half. The Wolfpack were stymied during their first three drives, punting twice and throwing an interception into the endzone. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, Jacolby Criswell promptly fumbled the ball on his own 11-yard line, and NC State scored on the very next play.
The second half was a different story.
NC State scored on every. Single. Possession. Every last one. In six second-half possessions, NC State scored three field goals and three touchdowns, including the penultimate one 86 seconds after Omarion Hampton put the Tar Heels up one with 1:51 left in the game.
Any jubilation Tar Heel Nation felt when Hampton crossed the goal line was probably short-lived when they looked at the clock. It was too much time. All NC State needed to win was a field goal, but did you feel like they'd have to settle for three? A touchdown was always the likeliest result.
On the defensive possession before Hampton's last touchdown, the defense did bow up for a moment. A Tom Maginness punt started NC State's drive on their own 20, but three explosive plays in a row had the Wolfpack looking at 1st & 10 at the UNC 8-yard line. Des Evans and Amare Campbell combined for a huge sack on 3rd & 5 to force a field goal. It was a bit of terminal lucidity for UNC's defense before they flatlined on the next drive.