On September 12, 1998, unranked NC State hosted second-ranked Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Seminoles, led by Bobby Bowden and featuring future NFL star Chris Weinke at quarterback, were 25-point favorites. Vegas didn't give the Wolfpack a chance. What followed was the biggest upset in NC State football history. Weinke threw a school-record six interceptions as Florida State's offense completely collapsed against a Wolfpack defense that refused to break. Wide receiver Torry Holt—who would become a seven-time Pro Bowler—burned the Seminoles repeatedly, scoring on a 68-yard punt return and catching a 63-yard touchdown pass from Jamie Barnette that sealed the victory. The final score: NC State 24, Florida State 7. The 50,800 fans at Carter-Finley stormed the field in what remains one of the most memorable nights in ACC football history. For Florida State, it was a rare early-season humiliation during their dynasty years. For NC State, it was validation—proof that Carter-Finley could be a house of horrors for ranked opponents. The Wolfpack would pull similar upsets over the years, but none quite matched the shock of a 25-point underdog dismantling the second-best team in America.
Between 2000 and 2010, NC State's quarterback room produced two future NFL stars who would combine for 18 Pro Bowl selections—more than any other college program's quarterbacks during that span. Philip Rivers (2000-2003) set records that still stand. He threw for 13,484 career yards and 95 touchdowns—both ACC all-time records at the time. In 2003, he completed 72% of his passes for 4,491 yards and 34 touchdowns, finishing seventh in Heisman voting and winning ACC Player of the Year. The New York Giants drafted him fourth overall in 2004, then immediately traded him to San Diego for Eli Manning in one of the most famous draft-day swaps ever. Russell Wilson (2008-2010) arrived and made his own history. He became the first freshman quarterback ever named first-team All-ACC—unprecedented in conference history. Wilson was so talented that when he left for Wisconsin to play his final college season, he led the Badgers to a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl while setting the FBS single-season passer rating record. Combined, Rivers and Wilson have made 18 Pro Bowl appearances (10 for Wilson, 8 for Rivers), won a Super Bowl (Wilson with Seattle in 2014), and thrown for over 100,000 NFL passing yards between them. Both wore the same Wolfpack uniform within the same decade.
On September 12, 1998, unranked NC State hosted second-ranked Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Seminoles, led by Bobby Bowden and featuring future NFL star Chris Weinke at quarterback, were 25-point favorites. Vegas didn't give the Wolfpack a chance. What followed was the biggest upset in NC State football history. Weinke threw a school-record six interceptions as Florida State's offense completely collapsed against a Wolfpack defense that refused to break. Wide receiver Torry Holt—who would become a seven-time Pro Bowler—burned the Seminoles repeatedly, scoring on a 68-yard punt return and catching a 63-yard touchdown pass from Jamie Barnette that sealed the victory. The final score: NC State 24, Florida State 7. The 50,800 fans at Carter-Finley stormed the field in what remains one of the most memorable nights in ACC football history. For Florida State, it was a rare early-season humiliation during their dynasty years. For NC State, it was validation—proof that Carter-Finley could be a house of horrors for ranked opponents. The Wolfpack would pull similar upsets over the years, but none quite matched the shock of a 25-point underdog dismantling the second-best team in America.
Between 2000 and 2010, NC State's quarterback room produced two future NFL stars who would combine for 18 Pro Bowl selections—more than any other college program's quarterbacks during that span. Philip Rivers (2000-2003) set records that still stand. He threw for 13,484 career yards and 95 touchdowns—both ACC all-time records at the time. In 2003, he completed 72% of his passes for 4,491 yards and 34 touchdowns, finishing seventh in Heisman voting and winning ACC Player of the Year. The New York Giants drafted him fourth overall in 2004, then immediately traded him to San Diego for Eli Manning in one of the most famous draft-day swaps ever. Russell Wilson (2008-2010) arrived and made his own history. He became the first freshman quarterback ever named first-team All-ACC—unprecedented in conference history. Wilson was so talented that when he left for Wisconsin to play his final college season, he led the Badgers to a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl while setting the FBS single-season passer rating record. Combined, Rivers and Wilson have made 18 Pro Bowl appearances (10 for Wilson, 8 for Rivers), won a Super Bowl (Wilson with Seattle in 2014), and thrown for over 100,000 NFL passing yards between them. Both wore the same Wolfpack uniform within the same decade.