NC State's 1998 Win Over #2 Florida State Was a 25-Point Underdog Upset

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.