Sep 13, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Matt Dayes (21) carries the ball as South Florida Bulls Nate Goodwin (36) tackles in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Bra’Lon Cherry rushed for two touchdowns and caught another as the N.C. State Wolfpack hammered the USF Bulls 49-17 Saturday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.
An early score by Cherry was answered by a 75-yard touchdown pass from Mike White to Ryeshene Bronson with 9:10 left in the first quarter, however, after that it all went down hill from there for USF (1-2).
The Bulls gave up four touchdowns within a 14:12 stretch to trail 35-7 at half time.
Touchdown runs by Shadrach Thompson and Matt Dayes pushed the Wolfpack’s (3-0) lead to 49-7 in the third quarter before USF got on the board again thanks to a 43-yard field goal by Marvin Kloss.
USF would get their second touchdown of the day as Lamar Robbins intercepted backup quarterback Garrett Leatham’s pass and returned it 46 yards. The fourth quarter was scoreless.
N.C. State starter Jacoby Brissett was 20-of-29 for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Thornton led the Wolfpack in rushing with 70 yards on 12 carries while Cherry had 20 rushing yards and added 50 receiving yards.
USF starter Mike White went 4-of-16 for only 82 yards. Freshman quarterback Quinton Flowers made his collegiate debut and got picked off by Jack Tocho late in the third quarter on his first career pass attempt. He was also intercepted in the endzone by Josh Jones in the fourth. Flowers finished 1-of-4 for seven yards. His lone completion was to Eric Dungy, son of Tony.
Marlon Mack struggled as he only managed 51 yards on 12 carries but that was in large part due to a dominant Wolfpack defense that allowed just 159 yards all game.
N.C. State’s offense exploded for 30 first downs compared to USF’s eight and they had the football for 38:49 while putting up 589 yards of offense, the second highest a USF defense has allowed in program history.
USF host UConn on Sept. 19 to conclude their opening four-game home stand.