Wolfpack Squanders Fourth-Quarter Lead; Falls to Syracuse 34-31

North Carolina State University Athletics

11/14/2026 4:42:00 PM | Football

With the Wolfpack winning 31-20, the turning point for the visitors came when Syracuse forced the first turnover of the game with five minutes left in the fourth. The Syracuse defensive end jumped off his block, picked off a would-be tunnel screen, and ran it back 18 yards for the defensive touchdown.

The Pack got the ball back with the lead but couldn't put up any points and were forced to punt. On the ensuing Orange drive, Syracuse faced a fourth-and-three on the NC State 29-yard line with 1:54 left in the game. A Wolfpack defender broke up the pass over the middle, popping it up into the air and into the arms of…