Sitting at 1-1 with their ACC schedule about to open, the Deacon football team was geared up for a upset over No. 19 N.C. State, Sept. 14, in Raleigh. Unfortunately, the Wolfpack snuffed out those thoughts rapidly, with junior quarterback Philip Rivers leading the 32-13 washout.

Wake Forest's start seemed to have disaster written all over it from the beginning. After a solid opening drive landed them in 'Pack territory, the Deac's kicking game ¯ which has plagued them with inconsistent play ¯ failed again, missing a 44-yarder. The kicking debacle continued later on in the first quarter. After redshirt freshman Cornelius Birgs pounded his way to a six-yard touchdown, the extra point was missed, meaning the Deacons botched four points in less than 15 minutes."I can't grow them" Head Coach Jim Grobe said, in reference to kickers. "The experience isn't going to come overnight."

Meanwhile, Rivers and Co. got to work. Freshman running back T.A. McLendan bounced in for two early touchdowns, putting the Deacs out of reach early, 20-6. Rivers also through threw a short touchdown pass during the Wolfpack's first half rampage. "The defense has to execute better," junior linebacker Dion Williams said. "(We have to) pressure the quarterback and play good, tight coverage. If we do that, we should come away with a victory. They can't win if they don't score."

The momentum swung the Deacon's way, if just temporarily. After a 'Pack field goal to open the third quarter, senior quarterback James MacPherson finally found that offensive big play, hitting a streaking senior wideout Jax Landfried for a 53-yard touchdown. After a successful succesful point attempt. Wake Forest only trailed N.C. State 23-13 with plenty of time left in the third quarter. Unfortunately, this would be the closest Grobe's Gang would get, and the Wolfpack's defense ensured that. After the Deacon "D" forced Rivers and the Pack to punt, MacPherson and momentum seemed to be matching up nicely.

However, MacPherson was hit on a bootleg scramble, coughing the ball up to a Wolfpack defender, who returned it 13-yards for the touchdown ¯ and put the game out of reach.

"That was big," Coach Grobe said about the fumble. "Not only in terms of winning and losing, but the momentum swing there was huge. You just have to take care of the football, if you don't do that you're in trouble."

The damage was done. N.C. State would add another field goal in the fourth quarter, and a Deac field goal would be blocked, netting the final score at 32-13. Wake Forest still hasn't won at Carter-Finley Stadium since 1984.

While many offensive woes stuck out for the Deacs after the loss, one in particular shined. Only 149 total rushing yards were picked up ¯ more than 100 yards less than their season average thus far in 2002.

MacPherson was 7-15 for 104 yards, while Landfried hauled in 92 yards on five receptions, and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Rivers torched the Deacon secondary systematically, throwing 17-27 for 223 yards and one touchdown.

"I think our guys understand that it's a long season É you have got to do things that winners do in order to win football games," Grobe said. "I think that is what our kids learned last year, and I think they understand that this year. I just think we lost to a very good football team."