The Georgia Southern Eagles entered the Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh ready to show they were ready for the first FBS schedule.

Both teams stalled on the opening drives, going three and out. On the second drive for the Eagles sophomore running back Matt Brieda scampered for a 61 yard touchdown run. The Wolfpack worked their way down into Georgia Southern territory but came away with a field goal. The quarter ended with the Eagles downing a punt at the one yard line.

Backed up in their own endzone, Brissett and the Wolfpack went three and out and punted from inside the 10 yard line. After a three an out from the Eagles, Brissett threw an interception to junior cornerback Caleb Williams. The offense played conservative and junior kicker Alex Hanks kicked a 32 yard field goal, putting the Eagles up 10-3. The offense flew into the no huddle offense and drained the clock. With a third and 11 from the 29 yard line, sophomore quarterback ripped a pass to senior receiver Kentrellis Showers who made a diving catch for the Eagle touchdown.

Coming out of the second half with a 17-3 deficit the Wolfpack were sacked for a 12 yard loss by junior defensive lineman Johnathan Battle and after a penalty punted the ball back to the Eagles. Later in the quarter a long pass from NC State and a pass interference by Georgia Southern put the Wolfpack in a position to throw a 6 yard touchdown pass. On the following drive Ellison gained 50 yards on a flick to senior receiver Zach Walker, the drive ended with a 19 yard field goal, 20-10 Eagles.

At the start of the fourth quarter the Eagle defense was backed up at their own nine yard line on fourth and one. The Eagle defense held on a clutch tackle and answered with a twelve yard run from Brieda. This was followed by a 37 yard pass from Ellison. The drive ended when a fumble gave the Pack the ball inside the two. They then grinded the clock on a 12 play 99-yard drive leaving seven minutes on the clock.

Once the Eagles got the ball back Ellison scampered for a 52 yard option-run. After going down hard Favian Upshaw stepped in at the quarterback spot at the 22 yard line with 5:43 left and kept the Eagles in field goal range. Hanks knocked down the 31 yard field goal making it a six point ball game, 23-17. With 3:30 left in the quarter the Wolfpack started driving down the field.  A few quick passes put

NC State inside the forty.

As the clock ticked below 1:50 the Eagles called a timeout before a 35 yard touchdown pass from the Wolfpack. The extra point went through and put the Wolfpack up for the first time in the game 24-23. A dropped pass ended the drive for the Eagles. NC State ended the game by kneeling out the clock.