N.C. State 38, Wofford 17

9/15/2007 9:07 PM

By MIKE BAKER
Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -Andre Brown rushed for 133 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, leading North Carolina State to a 38-17 win over Wofford on Saturday night.

The Wolfpack (1-2) finished with 217 yards rushing in snapping a nine-game losing streak that was their longest since 1959. They entered averaging just 71 yards on the ground in two games, having lost leading-rusher Toney Baker to a season-ending knee injury in the opener.

N.C. State turned three turnovers by Wofford (2-1) into touchdowns, offsetting the Terriers' 353-330 advantage in total yards.

Two of the giveaways came on risky pitches by Wofford's triple-option offense. Linebacker Thomas Barnes - on his first collegiate play - picked up a botched pitch at the 5 and ran into the end zone to put the Wolfpack up 14-3 in the second quarter.

The Terriers missed on another pitch, putting the ball on the ground at the 14, and two plays later Brown scored his third touchdown from 11 yards out. He previously had scoring runs of 2 and 1 yards.

Jamelle Eugene added a 1-yard score after Wofford's Jeremy Marshall muffed a punt and gave the Wolfpack the ball near the goal line.

N.C. State entered with an Atlantic Coast Conference-best 311 yards passing per game, while Wofford of the Football Championship Subdivision was allowing 277 yards passing in two wins.

Nebraska transfer Harrison Beck passed for just 113 yards against the Terriers a week after he threw for 321 yards at Boston College. But he took better care of the ball, committing no turnovers after giving it away six times.

Andy Strickland scored both of Wofford's touchdowns, including a 61-yard catch from quarterback Ben Widmyer in the third quarter and a 14-yard catch after a Wolfpack fumble late in the fourth quarter.