Florida State Vs. NC State: Christian Ponder Scores Three Touchdowns In Second Quarter

WIth no further production mishaps in the broadcast to entertain us, we're reduced to actually watching this game, and are rewarded with points! Real, actual football scoring!

... which had some severe hurdles to overcome in the form of penalty yards. Florida State's averaging 6.5 penalties a game heading into tonight, but in the first 19 minutes of play they've already been flagged six times for various offenses.

When last we left our heroes, Russell Wilson had just broken off a 29-yard run to end the quarter. He loses 12 of that on two of the next three plays, however, and fumbles on third down. NC State recovers but is forced to punt. The 'Noles and 'Pack trade three-and-outs, and Christian Ponder's arm gets into the mix.

Ponder's passing and Ty Jones' running take Florida State from their own 24 to the opposite endzone in around four minutes. Ponder runs in the three-yard touchdown, and the game is tied, 7-7. The 'Pack, beginning to fray at the seams, fumbles on its first play from scrimmage on the next possession, and this time the 'Noles don't have far to go at all. From the NC State 18-yard line, it takes five plays for another Ponder rushing touchdown to break through, and the 16th-ranked 'Noles take the lead for the first time all night.

They'll score again before halftime, on a 10-yard Ponder pass at the end of another clock-eating drive, and as we head to the locker rooms for halftime, Florida State leads North Carolina State, 21-7.