I don’t know that anyone would be surprised to learn that NC State’s only offense in the bowl game came via field goal, but I am pretty sure all of them would be disappointed. But so it was and so it goes.
As far as ideal scenarios go, this never was one. State’s defense picked up the team twice early, first by stopping Maryland on fourth-and-goal, and then by picking a pass after Ben Finley threw one to set up short field for the Terps.
That NC State managed a 3-0 lead after all of that was a minor miracle, and not one that would last, on account of cold reality.