NC State Falls To Texas A&M In The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

NC State’s 2018 season didn’t end with a bowl trophy.

The NC State football team fell in the 2018 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to #21 Texas A&M, 52-13, in front of 38,206 fans at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
Two plays into the game, Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond kept the ball and scrambled for a 62-yard rushing score to open the scoring. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
NC State went on to score 13 unanswered points, followed by 45 unanswered by the Aggies to close out the scoring. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
PK Christopher Dunn connected on field goals of 43 and 49 yards, and in between those two kicks QB Ryan Finley found C.J. Riley for a 9-yard score through the air. With 10:45 left in the first half, NC State was up 13-7. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
The Aggies scored on back-to-back possessions to end the half, a 2-yard rush and 6-yard pass to take a 21-13 lead into the half. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
Texas A&M got touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half to take a 35-13 lead with five minutes to go in the third quarter, and another pair of TDs in the fourth quarter, along with a 35-yard field goal. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE
5 plays, 27 yards in 1:35 – Ryan Finley to C.J. Riley 9-yard TD pass “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
The Pack scored its first touchdown of the day on the first play of the second quarter. After an interception by DT Eurndraus Bryant gave the Pack the ball at the Texas A&M 27-yard line, NC State scored in five plays on a Ryan Finley to C.J. Riley 9-yard TD pass. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
STAT LEADERS
• QB Ryan Finley
19-of-32 for 139 yards, 1 TD
 
• RB Reggie Gallaspy, Jr.
14 carries for 79 yards
 
• WR C.J. Riley
6 catches for 33 yards, 1 TD
 
• S Jarius Morehead
9 tackles, 5 solo stops

“according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
NOTABLES
• The Pack's nine wins on the season tie as the second-most in school history, only behind 11 in 2002. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
• Punter A.J. Cole III started his 52nd career game at NC State, a new school record breaking the previous high of 51 set by QB Philip Rivers (2000-03). “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx
 
• Placekicker Christopher Dunn went 2-of-2 on field goals today, including a career-best from 49 yards out. Dunn made his last 15 field goal attempts on the season, and had eight games with at least two. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/12/31/football-wolfpack-falls-in-taxslayer-gator-bowl.aspx