Deacs and Wolfpack Pause Brawl for Halftime. Here's What Happened!

Like the build-up to a major holiday, the festivities leading into Wake Forest's matchup with NC State were epic. To cap it all off, the first half of their showdown has been just as good. It looks like it will come down to the wire, so here's what's happened through the first two frames.

Highlights of the First Half – Wake Forest vs. NC State

It took just 12 seconds for the fireworks to start at Allegacy Stadium. Chris Barnes continued as the Deacs' hot hand and took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. The redshirt sophomore was clocked at 23 MPH.

7–0 Wake Forest

Wake's defense started out sturdy as Dylan Hazen sniffed out a screen pass early in the first to get the ball back in the offense's hands.

Following the defense stonewalling the Wolfpack, Robby Ashford and Chris Barnes connected deep for 70 yards. To cap off the electric drive, the Demon Deacons' main man, Demond Claiborne, hopped into the end zone from the goal line.

14–0 Wake Forest

NC State followed up Wake Forest's 93-yard TD drive with a 75-yard TD drive of its own. CJ Bailey had confidence in the pocket, and it showed on the scoreboard.

14–7 Wake Forest

The Wolfpack flustered Ashford, forcing him to throw a pick-six to defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley. At this point, all Wake Forest momentum was neutralized.

14–14, momentum swing by the Wolfpack

Highlighted by an Ashford to Eni Falayi 42-yard strike, the Demon Deacons found the endzone again. This time, Ashford kept it on a QB option from one yard out.

21–14 Wake Forest

Despite his ugly pick-six earlier in the game, Robby Ashford found a deposit of confidence and started drilling. He found Micah Mays Jr. and Sterlind Berkhalter on back-to-back 26-yard strikes. The drive stalled, but the Deacs still managed 3 points.

24–14 Wake Forest

With just one minute left in the first half, NC State moved down the field and scored 3 points to keep themselves within 7 of the Deacs.

24–17 Wake Forest