Samuels is right, this group has experienced dejection before – notably in difficult losses to East Carolina, Clemson and Florida State last season – and it looked and felt a lot like this.
Defensive end Dante Sawyer had a sack and forced a fumble to set up the offense at N.C. State’s 14-yard line and what turned out to be the game-deciding touchdown.
South Carolina was supposed to be the team still rebuilding, 6-7 in Muschamp’s first season, and N.C. State, in Doeren’s fifth year, was expected to pick up where it left off, winning three of its final four games in 2016.
Instead of putting everything together on the national stage and providing a milestone win, N.C. State is left with another bitter cup of disappointment.
In Year 6, that Tennessee loss started a downward spiral for coach Tom O’Brien, who was fired after 7-5 finish to the regular season.
- Deebo Samuel shows off speed, chemistry with Jake Bentley in USC win over NC StateSporting News
- Off and running: Gamecocks get past NC State in openerThe Herald
- Ed Hardin: How did State lose this game?Winston-Salem Journal
- Remember the name Deebo Samuel: You'll see him play on Sundays in the NFLCharlotte Observer
- Samuel's 3 TDs lift South Carolina over NC State 35-28News & Observer
- Will Muschamp: 'We have a good football team'The State (blog)
- Wolfpack wastes openerAsheboro Courier Tribune
- South Carolina - NC State see-saw battle kept fans on edge from kickoff to endCharlotte Observer
- What We Learned: South Carolina vs. North Carolina StateWIS
