24 North Carolina State 23-21 on Saturday in a chippy TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. “John was definitely looking down on us; Coach Schlarman definitely inspired us all,” said Rose, who was named Kentucky's bowl game MVP. “Those are four really good run defenders against a really good rushing offense,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. Kentucky: The Wildcats won their third bowl game in as many seasons for the second time in school history. UP NEXTNorth Carolina State: Opens the 2021 season at home against USF on Sept. 2.

24 North Carolina State (8-3) is a 2 ½-point underdog against Kentucky (4-6) in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, a number the Wolfpack consider a slight heading into Saturday's game in Jacksonville. Tickets for the Gator Bowl can be purchased here. So the Gator Bowl line makes little sense to anyone outside Vegas. “They can put us down all they want, but we know what we have in the locker room, and that’s it,” NC State quarterback Bailey Hockman said. FAMILY AFFAIRHockman has an uncle who played at Kentucky, and the Gator Bowl matchup has prompted some trash talk.

It came against his former team, as Hockman threw for three touchdowns and ran for a score as the Wolfpack defeated Florida State 38-22 on Saturday night. The guys played great.”Hockman, who began his collegiate career in 2017 at Florida State, was 24-for-34 passing for 265 yards and an interception. Freshman Chubba Purdy got his first career start for Florida State, completing 15 of 23 passes for 181 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. “We’re making too many mistakes when it comes to what’s necessary to win a college football game,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. Travis had scored at least one rushing touchdown in five consecutive games – a program record for a Florida State quarterback.

Zonovan Knight had a 100-yard kickoff return to put NC State (4-3, 4-3) on top in the third quarter. NC State led at halftime on the strength of Hockman’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Cary Angeline with 2:49 left. NC State: Angeline, a redshirt senior, has caught at least one touchdown pass in five of the Wolfpack’s games. With a victory, NC State would have been a candidate to climb back into the rankings. NC State: Hosts Florida State next Saturday.

23 North Carolina State 48-21 on Saturday in the first meeting with both rivals ranked in the AP Top 25 since 1993. And it came two weeks after Carter and Williams powered the Tar Heels to 399 yards rushing in a win against Virginia Tech. But N.C. State managed 34 yards rushing and had four turnovers. UNC: The Tar Heels had won six straight games before last weekend’s loss at FSU. UNC: The Tar Heels visit Virginia next Saturday.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Graduate transfer Alex Hornibrook made his first start at Florida State, throwing for a career-high 316 yards and tossing three touchdown passes in the Seminoles 31-13 win over North Carolina State. Hornibrook was often pressured and was sacked eight times but he completed 29 of 40 passes and had two touchdown passes to Tamorrion Terry and another to Ontaria Wilson for Florida State (3-2, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Bailey Hockman, who transferred from Florida State to a junior college in August 2018 and eventually signed with NC State, played the majority of the game. Florida State outside linebacker Janarius Robinson was ejected for targeting after a booth review. Florida State has an open week.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - (AP) Graduate transfer Alex Hornibrook made his first start at Florida State, throwing for a career-high 316 yards and tossing three touchdown passes in the Seminoles 31-13 win over North Carolina State on Saturday night. Hornibrook was often pressured and was sacked eight times but he completed 29 of 40 passes and had two touchdown passes to Tamorrion Terry and another to Ontaria Wilson for Florida State (3-2, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Bailey Hockman, who transferred from FSU to a junior college in August 2018 and later signed with NC State, played the majority of the game. UP NEXTNC State has an open week. Florida State has an open week.