It's back to pass, scamper, punt as the first quarter of the 2010 Champs Sports Bowl draws to a close in Orlando and West Virginia grinds out another fruitless possession. The 'Eers defense appears happy to take their frustrations out on the opposing offense, as Sidney Glover lays out James Washington on the first play of the second quarter. Russell Wilson drills Darrell Davis for an 11-yard third-down conversion, and the 'Pack rolls on undeterred.
Undeterred, that is, until, at the 11:00 mark, with the team in comfortable scoring distance, NC State attempts to fake a field goal, and the fake goes terribly awry, with kicker Josh Czajkowski bobbling the initial flip from his holder and straight into 'Eer hands.
Geno Smith hits Jock Sanders for a beautiful 26-yard gain on first down, and two minutes later Tyler Bitancurt misses a 44-yard field goal attempt. If you've never seen the ACC play the Big East, just know that this is about how the rest of the night is going to go, and adjust your expectations accordingly.
A fumble by Wilson on first down sets the next 'Pack possession back, and the 'Eers make their ensuing drive count: In approximately four minutes, Geno Smith completes 26 yards' worth of passes, Noel Devine gets a 6-yard run on first down, and on second down, Smith hits the excellently-named Stedman Bailey (also his high school teammate!) over the middle for a 32-yard leaping touchdown.
That'll do it for notable first-half action, save for a 45-yard Czajkowski field goal with 31 seconds remaining. After two quarters of play, NC State leads West Virginia, 10-7.
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Champs Sports Bowl, West Virginia Vs. NC State: ‘Pack Holds Precarious Halftime Lead, 10-7
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