This was the biggest game Carter-Finley Stadium had seen in years, an eternity in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately, instant-gratification world of college football. Under the lights, on national TV, a top-25 opponent, and a top-25 N.C. State team to boot, circumstances foreign to this vicinity since Chuck Amato was strutting the sidelines.
And after waiting years for this, N.C. State's 39-25 win over Louisville may hold that distinction for less than a month.
The next time the Wolfpack returns to its home turf, there may be even more on the line. Assuming N.C. State can hold serve at Pittsburgh next Saturday, and Clemson continues to steamroll the ACC, the Wolfpack and Tigers will meet in these confines with the Atlantic Division title on the line.