NC State holds on to beat UConn 10-7

The All-America cornerback responded with an interception and knocked down a fourth-down pass on Connecticut's final drive Saturday as the Wolfpack (1-1) held on for a 10-7 win over the Huskies (1-1).

"I wanted to get back out here and show people what I can do," said Amerson, whose interception was the 14th of his career. "Every time we get turnovers, we win."

Mike Glennon and UConn quarterback Chandler Whitmer each threw for 204 yards. But Whitmer had three passes intercepted as the Wolfpack forced four Huskies turnovers.

Glennon completed 15 of his 30 passes, including a 46-yard touchdown to Bryan Underwood. He also was sacked six times and N.C. State had just 258 yards of offense.

But the N.C. State defense held the Huskies to 239 yards and had three sacks, a week after giving up 524 yards in the season opener.

"That's what Coach (Tom) O'Brien talked about all week, was us coming out here and playing physical and aggressive, because that's what their defense was going to do," said safety Earl Wolff, who had an interception and a fumble recovery. "I feel like we matched their defense."

UConn's Lyle McCombs rushed for 60 yards and caught a 43-yard swing pass that set up his 5-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run to pull UConn to within three points with 7 minutes left.

Glennon opened the next drive by hitting Tobias Palmer with two quick passes to move into UConn territory. But the Huskies defense tightened up at the 27, and the Wolfpack, heading into a stiff wind, decided to go for it on fourth-and-2. Glennon's pass to Underwood fell incomplete, giving UConn one more drive with 3:17 remaining.

Whitmer moved the Huskies from their own 27 to the 46 before being sacked by linebacker Brian Slay on third down and having Amerson knock down the fourth-down pass.

"It's very frustrating," said Whitmer. "Our defense played great, and we need to take advantage of that as an offense and make plays for them. We need to bring up our level of play on offense."

A bizarre UConn turnover led to N.C. State's touchdown. Wolff tipped a Whitmer pass into the hands of Huskies tight end John Delahunt, who then fumbled the ball back to Wolff. Three plays later, Underwood ran under a Glennon pass, catching it with his fingertips at the 18-yard line and running the rest of the way into the end zone for a 10-0 lead.