Emeka Emezie
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

North Carolina State cornerback Aydan White (3) blocks a punt by North Carolina punter Ben Kiernan (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Raleigh, N.C. North Carolina State recovered the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
No. 24 NC State stuns NC 34-30 with 2 TDs in 26 seconds

By Ryan Wilcox Nov. 26, 2021 11:02 PM EST

North Carolina State cornerback Aydan White (3) blocks a punt by North Carolina punter Ben Kiernan (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Raleigh, N.C. North Carolina State recovered the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina at North Carolina State 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 08:35 PM EST

Syracuse running back Sean Tucker (34) is brought down by Louisville defensive back Kenderick Duncan (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Louisville won 41-3. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
No. 25 NC State looks for strong finish, hosts Syracuse

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 08:12 PM EST

Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Hartman, Ellison help No. 13 Wake Forest top No. 21 NC State

By Aaron Beard Nov. 13, 2021 11:56 PM EST

North Carolina State's Devin Leary (13) throws the ball as teammate Timothy McKay (52) blocks Louisville's Derek Dorsey (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Leary’s TD throws lift N.C. State past Louisville 28-13

Bob Sutton Oct. 30, 2021 11:14 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Shyheim Battle (25) celebrates his interception with teammate Derrek Pitts Jr. (24) with Louisville's Jordan Watkins (1) nearby during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Monmouth at North Carolina A&T 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 09:23 PM EDT

North Carolina State center Grant Gibson (50) congratulates Thayer Thomas (5) after Thomas scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
No. 22 North Carolina State beats Boston College 33-7

By Jimmy Golen Oct. 16, 2021 10:57 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Emeka Emezie (86) hauls in a pass for a touchdown over Clemson's Andrew Booth Jr. (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 23 NC State hosts Louisiana Tech in nonconference game

By The Associated Press Sep. 30, 2021 05:52 PM EDT

North Carolina State head coach Dave Doeren walks the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 23 NC State focuses on Louisiana Tech after big victory

By Aaron Beard Sep. 30, 2021 12:21 PM EDT

North Carolina State fans run on to the field after the Wolfpack defeated Clemson 27-21 in double overtime at an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
NC State holds on in double OT, stuns No. 9 Clemson 27-21

By Aaron Beard Sep. 25, 2021 07:42 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Emeka Emezie (86) hauls in a pass for a touchdown over Clemson's Andrew Booth Jr. (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
NCC at North Carolina A&T 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 05:23 PM EDT

North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary (13) throws a pass against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
South Florida at North Carolina State 9/2/2021

Sep. 02, 2021 08:47 PM EDT

North Carolina State defensive back Joshua Pierre-Louis, left, tackles Syracuse wide receiver Taj Harris (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at the in Syracuse, N.Y. (Scott Schild /The Post-Standard via AP)
North Carolina State rallies to defeat Syracuse 36-29

By Mark Frank Nov. 28, 2020 04:10 PM EST

Hockman's 4 TDs help NC State beat Florida St. 38-22

By Bob Sutton Nov. 14, 2020 11:16 PM EST
RALIEGH, N.C. (AP) — Bailey Hockman picked a good time for one of his finest games for North Carolina State. It came against his former...

North Carolina State running back Zonovan Knight (7) finds some running room against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Williams, Carter lead No. 14 UNC past No. 23 NC State 48-21

By Aaron Beard Oct. 24, 2020 04:44 PM EDT

North Carolina defensive back DeAndre Hollins (15) reaches for North Carolina State running back Ricky Person Jr. (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina State at North Carolina 10/24/2020

Oct. 24, 2020 02:05 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates as he goes through the end zone after making a catch against North Carolina State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Late TD pass lifts N.C. State past No. 24 Pitt 30-29

By The Associated Press Oct. 03, 2020 04:41 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) makes a catch of a Kenny Pickett pass before turning and running it for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
North Carolina at Boston College 10/3/2020

Oct. 03, 2020 01:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, North Carolina State's Devin Leary (13) passes the ball against Louisville during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C. The Wolfpack will try to regroup after winning just four games last season. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)
Doeren, Wolfpack aim for strong bounceback from 4-win season

By Aaron Beard Sep. 01, 2020 04:48 PM EDT