Year 2 of the Dave Doeren era at NC State ends at 8-5 thanks to a 34-27 survival of UCF in St. Petersburg, completing an instant turnaround from a 3-9 debut.
2014 Bitcoin Bowl final score: NC State hangs on against UCF, 34-27
The Wolfpack were beating the Knights to *bits*, but then they weren’t!
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
This game also featured the ugliest turf in the world, as is custom, and bizarre Bitcoin stuff, such as Mr. Bitcoin. It was about as bowl game as a bowl game can be.
Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett, already a game changer of a QB for NC State, had one of the better games of his career. In addition to his 262 through the air, he added 51 with his feet. His team's 491-yard outburst was its biggest since September, and it came against a defense that had ranked No. 35 in Football Outsiders' F/+ rating.
The Knights never really felt out of it, even when trailing 24-10 in the third and 34-13 in the fourth. UCF's offense was all-or-nothing for most of the night, with much of the all coming in the fourth quarter. A failed onside kick sealed it up for NC State after Justin Holman led two 70-yard touchdown drives.
With Brissett, almost all of his top weapons, and most of the defense likely to return next year, the young Wolfpack set themselves up for second straight successful season. But for now, they get to celebrate beating a good team in a weird bowl.
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