Drake Thomas
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates after their win against Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Pickett, No. 13 Pitt headline AP All-ACC honors for 2021

By Aaron Beard Dec. 06, 2021 11:40 AM EST

Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates (13) is tackled by Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Unanimous No 1 UGA chasing record

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 29, 2021 02:32 AM EST

North Carolina State's Devon Betty (26) rushes the Syracuse quarterback during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Points pile up rapidly, No. 25 N.C. State tops Syracuse

By Bob Sutton Nov. 20, 2021 07:20 PM EST

Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader (16) tries to bring down North Carolina State's Drake Thomas (32) after Thomas intercepted a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Gardner-Webb at North Carolina A&T 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 05:59 PM EST

Wake Forest defensive back J.J. Roberts celebrates after an inception against North Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
North Carolina State at Wake Forest 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 09:13 PM EST

North Carolina State's Devin Leary (13) throws the ball as teammate Timothy McKay (52) blocks Louisville's Derek Dorsey (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Leary’s TD throws lift N.C. State past Louisville 28-13

Bob Sutton Oct. 30, 2021 11:14 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Shyheim Battle (25) celebrates his interception with teammate Derrek Pitts Jr. (24) with Louisville's Jordan Watkins (1) nearby during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Monmouth at North Carolina A&T 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 09:23 PM EDT

Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami (OH) at Ball State 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary (13) drops back to pass as teammate Grant Gibson(50) blocks Boston College defensive end Marcus Valdez (97) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
North Carolina State at Boston College 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 09:21 PM EDT

Clemson defensive tackle Tre Williams (8) and linebacker Baylon Spector (10) react after sacking Boston College quarterback Dennis Grosel, bottom center, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
No. 22 NC State hopes for clear path to ACC title game at BC

By Jimmy Golen Oct. 14, 2021 06:44 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Drake Thomas (32) and Devan Boykin (12) combine to take down Louisiana Tech's Marcus Williams Jr. (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Louisiana Tech at North Carolina State 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 07:47 PM EDT

Leary, Knight lead N.C. State past Furman, 45-7

By Bob Sutton Sep. 18, 2021 10:44 PM EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Devin Leary threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as North Carolina State geared up for a key Atlantic Coast Conference clash by...

North Carolina State head coach Dave Doeren looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
NC State loses all-ACC LB Wilson, Fagan for year to injuries

By Aaron Beard Sep. 13, 2021 02:34 PM EDT

Part of a U.S flag is painted in the school's emblem midfield at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Miss.,. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, for the NCAA college football game between North Carolina State and Mississippi State, on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
North Carolina State at Mississippi State 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 06:11 PM EDT

North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary (13) hands the ball off to running back Ricky Person Jr. (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Person, Knight, defense help NC State roll past USF 45-0

By Aaron Beard Sep. 02, 2021 10:49 PM EDT

North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary (13) throws a pass against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
South Florida at North Carolina State 9/2/2021

Sep. 02, 2021 08:47 PM EDT

Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson (3) throws the ball during an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. North Carolina State (8-3) is a 2 ½-point underdog against Kentucky (4-6) in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, a number the Wolfpack consider a slight heading into Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 game in Jacksonville. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Kentucky runs for 281, beats NC State 23-21 in chippy Gator

By Mark Long Jan. 02, 2021 04:09 PM EST

Virginia Tech's Hendon Hooker, center, runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
NC State aims to hand No. 21 Liberty first loss of 2020

By Gary B. Graves Nov. 19, 2020 04:00 AM EST

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) makes a catch of a Kenny Pickett pass before turning and running it for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
North Carolina at Boston College 10/3/2020

Oct. 03, 2020 01:57 PM EDT