Posted on September 26th, 2009 by David Whipkey

By David Whipkey

For the second time in three weeks, Pitt’s defense was gouged for more than 500 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, the Panthers were not playing Buffalo this week.

North Carolina State clawed back from deficits of 10-0, 17-7 and 31-17 to overcome Pitt 38-31 Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.

Buffalo gained more than 500 yards of offense two weeks ago in a 54-27 loss to the Panthers. On Saturday, N.C. State outgained Pitt 530-300. Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson showed the overflow crowd at Carter-Finley Stadium why he was an All-ACC selection last year. The redshirt sophomore finished torching Pitt’s secondary to the tune of 21 completions in 35 attempts for 322 yards and four scores. Wilson also gave Pitt fits on the ground, rushing for 91 yards on 10 carries.

Pitt started out well enough on their first possession. Cameron Saddler’s 47 yard kickoff return set the table for Dion Lewis and the Panthers offense. Lewis’ six yard scoring run capped a 53-yard drive and put Pitt on top 7-0 early in the first quarter.

The Panthers made it 10-0 on their next possession courtesy of Dan Hutchins 35-yard field goal.

Wilson and the Wolfpack offense then went to work. Wilson ended the 84-yard scoring drive with a 23 yard touchdown toss to fullback Taylor Gentry, cutting the Pitt lead to 10-7 late in the first quarter.

Pitt responded early in the second quarter when Lewis carried the ball into the end zone from seven yards out, increasing the Panther lead to 10.

Wolfpack kicker Josh Czjakowski ended the first half scoring with a 25 yard field goal right before halftime.

Lewis and the ground game appeared poised to have a productive afternoon in soggy Raleigh, rushing for 79 yards on 10 first half carries. But the Wolfpack defense made adjustments and limited the freshman sensation to 16 second half rushing yards. Lewis finished with 95 yards on 19 carries.

N.C. State roared out of the halftime locker room with a five-play, 58 yard drive that was climaxed by Wilson’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Toney Baker. Czjakowski’s kick was true, pulling the Wolfpack into a 17-17 tie.

But the Panthers regained control of the contest courtesy of quarterback Bill Stull’s arm. Stull completed three of four passes on a 68 yard drive. His 13-yard touchdown pass to Saddler pulled the Panthers back into the lead early in the third quarter.

After the Pitt defense held and forced a punt, Stull struck again. This time, he found sophomore receiver Jonathan Baldwin for a 79-yard scoring strike. The dagger gave Pitt a two-touchdown lead late in the third quarter and appeared to put the Wolfpack away.

But Wilson was just getting warmed up.

It took only five plays for N.C. State to pull within seven points. With 2:44 left in the third, Wilson found Jarvis Williams for a 33-yard scoring toss that cut the lead to 31-24.

Wilson again tormented the Pitt defense on N.C. State’s next possession. His 21-yard scramble on fourth down and 14 gave the Wolfpack a first and goal at the Pitt seven yard line. One play later, Wilson found tight end in the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown and a tie score early in the fourth quarter.

After a Pitt punt, N.C. State went to work. Wilson took the Wolfpack 71 yards in 10 plays. Baker ended the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, giving N.C. State their first lead at 38-31.

Pitt had a chance to tie the game late in regulation when a shotgun snap sailed over Wilson’s head. Linebacker Max Gruder recovered the fumble at the Wolfpack eight-yard line. But the Wolfpack held when Stull’s fourth down pass in the end zone sailed incomplete.

Stull finished with 12 completions in 23 attempts for 206 yards and two scores.

Pitt’s dismal two for 10 conversion rate on third down helped keep their offense off the field and forced the defense to stay on the field for 37 plus minutes.