Wolfpack Surprises Syracuse

Jamie Barnette upstaged Donovan McNabb as North Carolina State pulled off its second major upset in three weeks Thursday night, rolling up more than 500 yards in a 38-17 victory over No. 11 Syracuse.

Barnette had 349 yards of total offense himself, passing for 282 and rushing for 67. The junior quarterback threw one touchdown pass and scored twice as the Wolfpack (3-1) held McNabb--Syracuse’s Heisman Trophy candidate--to 17 total yards in the first half while building a 28-10 lead.

“He never ceases to amaze me,” Wolfpack Coach Mike O’Cain said of Barnette. “He did some things that you just can’t coach.”

North Carolina State upset then No. 2 Florida State, 24-7, on Sept. 12 to move to 20th in The Associated Press poll before falling out after a 33-30 loss at Baylor.

That win over the Seminoles, coupled with the Syracuse upset Thursday, are the biggest in the same season for the Wolfpack since victories over No. 8 Penn State and No. 13 Florida in 1975.

The Orangemen (2-2) are now winless in six tries against the Wolfpack, including last year’s 32-31 overtime loss at Syracuse.