Tucker Breaks Rushing Record; Orange Lose at NC State

Saturday, November 20

Raleigh, NC

4 PM

Syracuse University

NC State

Tucker Breaks Rushing Record; Orange Lose at NC State

11/20/2021 8:10:00 PM | Football

Box Score Dino Babers Press Conference Highlights Garrett Shrader Press Conference Sean Tucker Press Conference Notes

Sean Tucker breaks 42-year old single-season rushing record

Sean Tucker broke a record that stood for 42 years, becoming the Orange's single-season rushing leader, but it wasn't enough to take down No. 25 NC State. The Wolfpack came away victorious in the team's road finale 41-17.

Tucker finished the day with 13 carries for 105 yards, his ninth 100-yard game through 11 weeks this season. But it was a 17-yard run up the right side in the second quarter that etched his name into record books at a school known for its running back pedigree. Joe Morris' 1979 season of 1,372 was surpassed by Tucker – who now sits at (1,467).

Garrett Shrader ran 17 times for 70 yards, while Mikel Jones led the Orange defense with 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Offensively NC State out-gained the Orange 399 to 265, adding a defensive score and a kick return touchdown to win all phases.

Neither team got much going offensively in the first quarter. Each team had a drive that stalled just outside of field goal range. The teams combined for 68 yards of total offense through 15 minutes.

Things escalated in the second quarter though. After the Wolfpack scored the game's first points on a 15-yard run by Ricky Person with 6:14 to go in the half, they notched a pick-six by Drake Thomas less than a minute later to open a 14-0 lead.

Tucker broke off a 55-yard touchdown run down the sideline with 3:01 remaining left before halftime to pull within one score, but Zonovan Knight took the ensuing kickoff 97 yards to the house to put the Pack back up 21-7.

After an Orange punt, Devin Leary connected on a 14-yard pass on the run to Christopher Toudle to give NC State a 28-7 lead at the break.

The Orange got the ball out of the intermission, but following a three-and-out, NC State connected on a 37-yard field goal by Christopher Dunn to bring their lead to 31-7.

On the following drive, Andre Szmyt's field goal attempt from 45 yards out was true to put the Orange into double digits on the day.

The Wolfpack extended the lead to 38-10 with 2:15 remaining in the third after Thayer Thomas found the endzone on an 8-yard touchdown reception.

Garrett Shrader ran 45-yards down the sideline for the score midway through the fourth quarter. The Wolfpack added one more field goal late to give the final result.

The Orange are back in action on Saturday in the home finale. 'Cuse will honor its seniors vs. No. 20 Pitt. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network.