Football: N.C. State rolls past ODU, 49-22

ODU had 258 yards of offense in the second half but could not overcome a slow first half, falling at NC State 49-22 Saturday night.

Trailing 21-3 at halftime, Old Dominion (1-2) stopped NC State (2-1) on the opening drive of the second half and then scored on a 21-yard touchdown pass from David Washington to Zach Pascal to make the score 21-9.

NC State came back to score 14 straight points to go up 35-9 before another Washington to Pascal touchdown made the score 35-15.

Jeremy Cox rushed for a 65-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter for ODU’s final score.

The Wolfpack got on the board first as Jalen McClendon carried in from a yard out to put NC State up 7-0.

On the next NC State possession, C.J. Bradshaw forced a fumble that Bunmi Rotimi recovered at the NC State 17 yard line.  ODU drove to the NC State three but settled for a Bailey Cate 21-yard field goal to make the score 7-3.

McClendon added another touchdown, this time a three-yard run to cap a 72-yard drive to put the Wolfpack up 14-3.

With three minutes left in the first half Ryan Finley connected with Jaylen Samuels for a 19-yard touchdown pass to go up 21-3 at halftime.

David Washington finished the day 16-of-26 for 200 yards and 200 yards for ODU while Jeremy Cox led the way with 91 yards on nine carries. Pascal had season-high eight receptions for 104 yards and two TD’s.

TJ Ricks had a game high 11 tackles for the ODU defense.

Notes: Bailey Cate’s punt of 70 yards was the third longest in school history and longest of his short career … He added a 51-yarder later in the game … Cate’s 21-yard first quarter field goal was the first of his career … Cate also rushed for nine yards and a first down on a fake punt in the third quarter that led to an ODU touchdown … Zach Pascal caught a pass for the 39^th straight game, the second longest active streak in FBS … Pascal caught his 23^rd career touchdown pass … C.J. Bradshaw forced his first career fumble and Bunmi Rotimi recovered his first career fumble … Torrez Wentz recorded the first sack of his career … Zach Pascal registered his eight career 100-yard receiving game and his fifth career multiple touchdown game … Jeremy Cox’s 65-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was a career long and his third career touchdown run … The 65-yard run was the longest play for ODU so far this season … ODU had 258 yards of total offense in the second half, after 63 in the first half … TJ Ricks had a game-high 11 tackles … Jacob Schwind played for the first time in his career, holding for extra points and field goals.