Minnesota got off to a very quick start in the first quarter scoring 21 points by way of three touchdowns, two of them from running back Tellis Redmon. The Gophers would then add a field goal to that total before NC State got on the board with a 2 yard pass and two-point conversion from freshman quarterback Philip Rivers to make the score 24-8 going into halftime.
The Wolfpack stormed out of the break with 17 unanswered points, aided by a blocked punt, to take the lead 25-24 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Minnesota came back with a field goal, but NC State took the lead for good on a 23 yard touchdown pass to Koren Robinson to make it 31-27. After adding another field goal, the Gophers had one last chance with a late possession to win the game, but quarterback Travis Cole fumbled deep in his own territory to set up an easy NC State touchdown for a final score of 38-30.
