The Syracuse Orange defense has had just five takeaways in the first five games this season. Apparently after tonight they just needed some fresh air to lock themselves in.

SU once again met its opponent under the lights, where a rocking Raleigh Blackout crowd wasn't enough to deter them with a 24-17 victory over the NC State Wolfpack. Kyle McCord continued his revenge spree with 346 yards and two passing touchdowns while three different Orange defenders forced takeaways in this crucial win.

McCord began his evening with passes to Oronde Gadsden and Trebor Pena for the first new downs. He then left Pena open for a 20-yard reception, but the junior slot receiver couldn't catch up to him.

The journey slowed and became a methodical march across the field. After what felt like three timeouts in one, McCord converted a 3rd-and-6 with a 19-yard shot to #19. After Pena went on another set of downs, we saw a brief flashback to the fabled ThunderCat offense, with Dan Villari rushing forward for a four-yard gain.

However, McCord's next two passes were incomplete and the Orange had to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Jadyn Oh. This 16-play drive consumed the first 6:47 of the game.

The SU defense felt the absence of linemen Kevin Jobity and Dion Wilson early, and the Pack pushed through and made two solid gains up the middle. Backup QB CJ Bailey then found Noah Rogers and Dacari Collins for back-to-back firsts. However, Bailey failed to score for the third straight and 'Cuse held her to a 41-yard field goal attempt. Kanoah Vinesett had missed 40+ twice already this season and it happened again, leaving the score at 3-0.

The Orange again marched to the edge of field goal range, but instead of a 36-yard attempt by Oh, Fran Brown opted to go for it on 4th-and-5 on the 19th. McCord picked off Gadsden, but his pass narrowly resulted in the first turnover of the night.

After forcing a three-and-out, LeQuint Allen started the next drive with a 13-yard power run. The offense marched to the eight-yard line, but one false start and a 12-yard sack later, they were suddenly back in field goal mode. With no other choice, Oh made a 43-yard attempt but missed wide left.

Now it was NC State's turn to venture deep into enemy territory, but their kryptonite for the night was revealed: Butterfinger. Derek McDonald knocked the ball away from RB Kendrick Raphael, where it was picked up by Justin Barron.

McCord immediately showed off his arm with a long touchdown to Umari Hatcher – a play that gives me strong “Garrett Shrader to Damien Alford at VT” vibes.

The Wolf Pack didn't leave the “0” on the field heading into the locker room, first relying on the elite talent of Kevin Concepcion to gain a 42-yard gain on the sideline, then taking advantage of an illegal formation penalty to go from three to seven points with a four-yard rush from Jordan Waters.

NC State got back on the ground to start the second half and finally scored its first big gain – a 28-yard Bailey scram through very empty space between the hashes. Unfortunately for her it wasn't to last.

The ball was knocked out again – this time by Devin Grant – before being slammed down the throat of the Wolfpack defense by Allen for his fourth rushing TD of the season:

The next drive resulted in another turnover – this time a tip pick to Barron, which was returned 53 yards…

…set up another McCord touchdown pass, this time to his emerging favorite target Jackson Meeks, who finished with a team-high 116 yards.

Despite a furious North Carolina State rally – started by a nonsensical, nonsensical call by a receiver that went out of bounds, followed by a failed kill shot on 4th-and-7 at the 12 and a near-collapse by the defensive end – ' Cuse its first road win at Carter-Finley since 2013 and the program's first consecutive road wins since 2012.

All in all, it was like most SU contests in the first half of this season: flashy plays coupled with head-scratchers and a fair amount of stress (and a late shouting match between Fran and NC State HC Dave Doeren for emphasis). There were a few mistakes again, namely a few periods of poor tackling and a few of those resurgent O-line penalties, but it was an improvement over the UNLV game.

After their second and final bye, Syracuse travels to Yinzer Country to face the now 6-0 Pittsburgh Panthers in another primetime game. Unlike most Thursday night football games, this game is definitely worth some dedication.