NC State Wolfpack comes from behind to beat Virginia Tech Hokies 22-21 Thursday night

Both N.C. State and Virginia Tech are coming off open dates, a needed respite to their ACC seasons. Both have had added time to make changes, tweak and adjust before their Thursday night game on ESPN.

The No. 24 Pack (5-2, 1-2 ACC) has readjusted its goals after losses at Clemson and Syracuse and wants a strong finish to the regular season. Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-3) is adjusting to a new coach, Brent Pry, and the demands that come with a coaching transition.

The News & Observer’s Chip Alexander and Luke DeCock are at Carter-Finley Stadium. Check back for their live updates from the game.

Thomas TD catch: NC State 22, Virginia Tech 21

Thayer Thomas second TD grab of the season half, an 18-yarder from M.J. Morris, gave the Pack the lead. A two-point try failed as Morris was sacked, but the Wolfpack was in front with 7:38 left in the fourth.

Pennix TD catch: Virginia Tech 21, NC State 1.

The Wolfpack, trailing 21-3 in the second half, pulled within five points with 12:15 left in the fourth quarter,

Quarterback M.J. Morris, who has rallied the Pack, found tight end Trent Pennix alone for a 7-yard score. The Pack could not convert a two-point play as Morris’ pass was broken up.

The touchdown came after a 43-yard completion to Terrell Timmons to the VT 7, the freshman receiver making a leaping catch.

Thomas TD catch: Virginia Tech 21, NC State 10

After three second-half scores by the Hokies, the Pack went 75 yards in six plays behind freshman QB M.J. Morris for its first TD. Morris completed four passes in the drive, hitting Thomas for 16 yards before a 35-yard TD throw in the right corner of the end zone.

Wells TD run: Virginia Tech 21, NC State 3

Grant Wells and Kaleb Smith, after connecting on an 85-yard TD throw, set up another score with a 50-yard completion. Wells, who scored on a short run for the Hokies’ first TD, ran 20 yards around left end for his second score.

Smith TD catch: Virginia Tech 14, NC State 3

It took the Hokies one play to add to their lead as Grant Wells and Kaleb Smith teamed up on an 85-yard TD throw, Smith winning a foot race down the left sideline.

The Pack elected to punt on fourth-and-9 at the VT 37 -- the ruling being a touchback -- and the Hokies had a false-start penalty to start the possession. But Wells went deep and Smith was there for the Hokies’ longest play of the season.

Wells TD run: Virginia Tech 7, NC State 3

The Hokies had the ball to start the second half and quickly went 78 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Quarterback Grant Wells had completions of 10 and 36 yards to tight end Dae’Quan Wright and scored on a 4-yard run.

Wells’ TD came after the Pack’s Tyler Baker-Williams was called for pass interference on third down at the NCSU 19 as Wells attempted to hit Wright in in the left corner of the end zone -- Baker-Williams breaking up the pass.

Halftime: Pack 3-0

Chris Dunn’s 35-yard field goal with five seconds left in the first half resulted in the first points of the game, and came after the Hokies used two timeouts trying to “ice” the kicker.

The Wolfpack, with freshman M.J. Morris at quarterback, finally took advantage of good field position after a 29-yard punt by the Hokies to take the lead. Morris hit Thayer Thomas for 18 yards and picked up a first down with a 6-yard run on third-and-2 at the VT 17.

Morris later was ruled to have had his knee down as he picked up a low snap -- the ruling made after a lengthy review -- and Dunn converted on the 35-yarder after the Hokies timeouts.

Wolfpack fans were livid after a Virginia Tech punt with 6:25 left in the second. The Pack’s Thayer Thomas signaled for a fair catch at the NCSU 40 and was hit and fumbled as he attempted to haul in the punt. Flags were thrown.

After the referees huddled, it was announced there was no penalty on the Hokies on the fair catch but that the Wolfpack would be penalized for holding on the return. The Pack took over at its 20, where it recovered Thomas’ fumble. Wolfpack fans howled their displeasure as a replay of the punt -- and the hit on Thomas -- was shown on the big scoreboard.

Late in the quarter, a false-start penalty against the Hokies at the VT 17 benefited the Hokies, who had a poor snap bounce back near the goal line. Virginia Tech avoided a big loss on the dead-ball penalty, but the Hokies soon followed with another false start and then a poor snap that resulted in a sack.

First quarter: scoreless

All defense. Neither offense has shown much, the two teams picking up more false-start penalties than first downs.

The Pack’s Jack Chambers started at QB but freshman M.J. Morris has been inserted later in the quarter. That possession resulted in two running plays by Morris, a false start and then Morris being sacked.

Virginia Tech had 35 yards and the Pack 28 in the opening quarter. There were seven penalties -- six false-starts -- and four first downs, two by each team.

Injury update

The Pack again will be without running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, who continues to be sidelined with a foot injury. Defensive end Savion Jackson, injured in the Syracuse game, also is out. Wide receiver Devin Carter, who missed the Syracuse game, will be back in the lineup.

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NC State Wolfpack comes from behind to beat Virginia Tech Hokies 22-21 Thursday night