To beat Louisville, N.C. State needed to be able to slow, stymie, contain or frustrate Lamar Jackson, the Cardinals’ 2016 Heisman Trophy winner.
The Pack didn’t stop Jackson – few, if any, can. But No. 24 N.C. State made it a tough enough night for the junior quarterback to take a 39-25 victory Thursday over the 17th-ranked Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium, picking up a fifth straight win.
Quarterback Ryan Finley, efficient much of the night after an early fumble, passed for 367 yards, completing 20 of 31 throws, for the Pack, 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the ACC for the first time since 2002.