North Carolina State Beats Florida State

After one quarterback change and two victories against ranked opponents, North Carolina State suddenly looks like a different team.

Daniel Evans threw three touchdown passes -- including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter -- to lead the Wolfpack to a 24-20 victory over No. 17 Florida State on Thursday night at Raleigh, N.C., the second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference victory for a team that appeared to be going nowhere only a few weeks ago.

Evans connected with John Dunlap on a 12-yard score with 10:36 left for the Wolfpack, 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, which rallied from a 10-point third-quarter deficit behind another poised performance from a redshirt sophomore quarterback in his second career start.

A few weeks ago, North Carolina State was 1-2 after a last-play home loss to Akron and a humbling 37-17 loss at Southern Mississippi, which prompted Coach Chuck Amato to elevate Evans past Marcus Stone.

Now, with wins against Boston College and Florida State, the once-dark mood around Carter-Finley Stadium has been replaced by jubilant rowdy crowds.

“We’re right where we want to be,” Evans said. “We’re excited. We’re not going to get complacent on where we are.”

Andre Brown added 113 yards rushing, marking the second consecutive year Brown cracked the 100-yard mark against the Seminoles (3-2, 1-2).

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Brett Ratliff passed for 223 yards and two touchdowns and Utah recovered from an embarrassing loss at home by beating Texas Christian, 20-7, at Salt Lake City and giving the Horned Frogs their first losing streak in nearly two years.

Five days after losing at home to Boise State, 36-3, the Utes (4-2, 2-0 Mountain West) beat the defending conference champion on a solid game by Ratliff, who completed 19 of 32 passes.

Louie Sakoda added two field goals and pinned the Frogs (3-2, 0-2) inside the 20 on his first five punts.

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Mountain West Conference officials reprimanded New Mexico Coach Rocky Long for remarks he made over the officiating during last Saturday’s game between New Mexico and Air Force. Long said through a spokesman that he would have no comment on the reprimand.

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Mississippi State defensive back Adron Chambers has been suspended from school after his arrest on charges that included assault, authorities in Starkville, Miss., said.