RALEIGH, N.C. — Cam Fancher threw for a season-high in passing yards and scored four touchdowns, but it wouldn't be enough as the North Carolina State Wolfpack would outscore the Marshall Thundering Herd 48-41 on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium.
The game turned into a fast-paced shootout, featuring six lead changes. When the dust finally settled, it was the highest scoring game either team had been part of all season.
While both teams' explosive offenses headlined the game, the Wolfpack’s ability to pressure Fancher was crucial. N.C. State sacked the Marshall quarterback six-times, which was a season-high. Three of those sacks were on third or fourth downs. They also tallied six quarterback hurries.
“The difference between Power Five and Group of Five is depth,” Marshall coach Charles Huff said. “But we had opportunities to win the game. We had opportunities to close out the game, and we made way too many mistakes in those moments to finish it out.”
Fancher finished the afternoon completing xx or xx passes for 315 yards and scored twice with his arm and two with his feet.
NC State (4-2) was led by MJ Morris, who was making his first start of the season, threw a career-best four touchdown passes while completing 17 of 32 passes for 265 yards. While he threw three interception, Morris managed to settle into the game and help put the Wolfpack in position to win.
Marshall (4-1) grabbed the lead in the third quarter, when Fancher connected with Jayden Harris for a 28-yard score. After Rece Verhoff's extra point, the Herd held a 31-28 lead with 7:31 left in the quarter.
However, NC State would immediately respond to take the lead for good. On the second play of their ensuing drive, Trent Pennix would catch a 62-yard strike right down the middle of the field from Morris to give the Wolfpack a 35-31 lead.
Fancher and the Herd would get the ball back and to answer. Ethan Payne would begin the drive by ripping off a 20-yard gain to get close to midfield. Then Fancher would later scramble for an eight-yard gain to set the Herd up with first-and-goal at the NC State 9.
But the drive would stall out, and Verhoff would come on to make a 26-yard field goal. But the Herd still trailed 35-34 with 1:24 remaining in the third.
The Wolfpack would ultimately pull away in the fourth quarter, getting two field goal from Brayden Narveson and an eight-yard touchdown pass from Morris to Kevin Concepcion to pad their lead to 48-34.
The loss saw Marshall's nine-game win streak that dated to last season snapped.
Marshall will be back on the road next Saturday against Georgia State in Atlanta.
Marshall 14 10 10 7 = 41
NC State 7 14 14 13 = 48
First Quarter MAR - Cam Fancher 7 run (Rece Verhoff kick), 11:14. NCS - Kevin Concepcion 17 pass from MJ Morris (Brayden Varveson kick), 8:20. MAR - Josh Moten 27 interception return (Rece Verhoff kick), 2:57.
Second Quarter NCS - Delbert Mimms 18 run (Brayden Varveson kick), 11:43. NCS - Trent Pennix 39 pass from MJ Morris (Brayden Varveson kick), 9:45. MAR - Rece Verhoff 43 field goal, 2:34. MAR - Cam Fancher 4 run (Rece Verhoff kick), 0:31.
Third Quarter NCS - Michael Allen 37 run (Brayden Varveson kick), 9:03. MAR - Jayden Harrison 28 pass from Cam Fancher (Rece Verhoff kick), 7:31. NCS - Trent Pennix 62 pass from MJ Morris (Brayden Varveson kick), 6:43. MAR - Rece Verhoff 26 field goal, 1:24.
Fourth Quarter NCS - Brayden Varveson 40 field goal, 14:44. NCS - Brayden Varveson 27 field goal, 7:03. NCS - Kevin Concepcion 8 pass from MJ Morris (Brayden Varveson kick), 6:04. MAR - Caleb Coombs 16 pass from Cam Fancher (Rece Verhoff kick), 1:29.
MAR NCS
First downs 22 16
Total Net Yards 419 401
Rushes-yards 38-104 34-136
Passing 315 265
Punt Returns 2-10 3-42
Kickoff Returns 2-60 5-79
Interceptions Ret. 3-36 1-27
Comp-Att-Int 29-52-1 17-32-3
Sacked-Yards Lost 2-16 6-41
Punts 5-41.6 7-38.7
Fumbles-Lost 3-2 0-0
Penalties-Yards 6-54 6-55
Time of Possession 32:44 27:16
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