North Carolina

NIU loses turnover battle, falls to North Carolina State

Published

1 year ago

September 28, 2024

NIU loses turnover battle, falls to North Carolina State

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CJ Bailey scored on the ground and through the air as North Carolina State defeated visiting Northern Illinois 24-17 on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Bailey, a true freshman making his second start for the Wolfpack (3-2), completed 13 of 20 passes for 108 yards. He supported a strong defensive effort from N.C. State that forced NIU (2-2) into four crucial turnovers.

“It was a team win. You know, offensively, obviously, statistics are not good, but we did not turn the football over the whole game,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. “We punted the football really well and we played dominant defense against a really good football team.”

Momentum seemed to swing in the Wolfpack’s favor early in the second quarter, when N.C. State safety DK Kaufman reached NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton on a third-down blitz, knocked the ball out of his throwing hand and recovered the fumble for a 2-yard defensive touchdown.

N.C. State’s defense provided another boost in the third quarter when Devin Vann forced Hampton into a fumble that Brandon Cleveland recovered and returned to the 1. Bailey took advantage of the superb field position, throwing a short touchdown pass to KC Concepcion that pushed N.C. State ahead by two scores.

Trailing by seven points with four seconds to play, NIU’s attempt at a game-tying score was stifled when Hampton was intercepted in the end zone by Corey Coley.

“You lose the turnover battle four-to-nothing and it’s hard to win,” NIU coach Thomas Hammock said. “They blitzed us early and often. We just didn’t make enough plays.”

Antario Brown paced the Huskies with 114 yards rushing on 28 carries.

The takeaway

NC State: On offense, the Wolfpack played just well enough to complement their stout defense. The Wolfpack didn’t turn the ball over and scored when they reached the red zone. After a demoralizing defeat at Clemson last week, this was a bounce-back victory for N.C. State in its final non-conference game of the season.

“I know people are upset we didn’t have enough yards, this, that and the other,” Doeren said. “Don’t be mad about winning. That was a hell of a team win.”

NIU: The Huskies haven’t been able to recapture the magic of their Sept. 7 win at Notre Dame. This is NIU’s second consecutive loss and one where the Huskies struggled to capitalize on offense. The Huskies held the Wolfpack to 1-of-11 on third down conversions and to just 175 yards of total offense, but turnovers and stalled drives doomed NIU’s chances at another signature win.

Providing pressure

NIU had been on a six-game streak dating back to last season of not giving up any sacks. The Wolfpack shattered any hope the Huskies had of extending that mark, sacking Hampton four times. In all, N.C. State registered a season-high 12 tackles for loss.

N.C. State had just four sacks combined in its previous four games this season. It’s worth noting that the Wolfpack racked up this many sacks without Red Hibbler, who led N.C. State in the stat last season and is no longer on the team as of this week.

“We started communicating on a higher level. And that started with me. It was my job to do so… being more physical in practice,” said Wolfpack linebacker Caden Fordham, who had a team-high 14 tackles. “And I believe it translated to the field today.”

Key absences

Quarterback Grayson McCall and running back Hollywood Smothers were not dressed to play for N.C. State. McCall, the former three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year from Coastal Carolina, left the Wolfpack’s Week 3 win over Louisiana Tech with an undisclosed injury and hasn’t played since. Smothers, a transfer from Oklahoma, had 114 rushing yards and touchdown on 22 carries in the Wolfpack’s first four games.

Up next

NC State: The Wolfpack host rival Wake Forest next Saturday.

NIU: UMass visits the Huskies next Saturday.

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North Carolina

How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

Published

6 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Dec. 29

The North Carolina Central Eagles (4-10) and Freddie Filione V’s Penn State Nittany Lions (8-4) hit the court at Bryce Jordan Center on Monday, Dec. 29, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

We provide more details below, and that includes how to watch this game on TV.

Here is what you need to prepare for Monday’s college basketball action.

Penn State vs. North Carolina Central: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Monday, December 29, 2025
Game time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
Arena: Bryce Jordan Center
TV Channel: BTN
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Penn State vs. North Carolina Central stats and trends

Penn State is averaging 78.2 points per game (173rd-ranked in college basketball) this season, while surrendering 74.9 points per contest (222nd-ranked).
The Nittany Lions have struggled to accumulate rebounds this season, ranking 20th-worst in college basketball with 28.6 boards per game. They rank 109th by allowing 29.4 rebounds per contest.
Penn State ranks 249th in college basketball with 13.5 dimes per contest.
The Nittany Lions rank 10th-best in college basketball by averaging only 9 turnovers per game. In terms of forced turnovers, they rank 159th in college basketball (12.3 per contest).
This year, Penn State is draining 6.8 threes per game (276th-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34% (181st-ranked) from three-point land.
The Nittany Lions rank 324th in college basketball by allowing 9.4 three-pointers per game, but they are allowing a 37.8% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, which ranks ninth-worst in college basketball.
Penn State is attempting 38.7 two-pointers per game this year, which account for 65.8% of the shots it has attempted (and 75.9% of the team’s baskets). Meanwhile, it is attempting 20.1 three-pointers per contest, which are 34.2% of its shots (and 24.1% of the team’s buckets).

Penn State vs. North Carolina Central Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Nittany Lions (-22.5)
Moneyline: Penn State (-12500), North Carolina Central (+2600)
Total: 149.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 2:23 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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North Carolina

How North Carolina’s Offense Looked in December

Published

6 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

How North Carolina’s Offense Looked in December

While the North Carolina Tar Heels’ defense has been the most consistent feature of the team, the offensive operation has been up and down throughout the course of the season.

Those struggles extended into December, but with Seth Trimble returning to the lineup, there have been glimpses of what the offense can be when at full strength. The veteran guard had missed nine consecutive games, dating back to early November. Trimble had not played since Nov. 7 against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Let’s take a closer look at how North Carolina’s offense performed in the month of December.

Assessing the Tar Heels Offense in December

Dec 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) drives during the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Through the first six games of this month, North Carolina is averaging 79.1 points per game, which is inflated by a 99-point outing against East Carolina this past Monday. The scoring output has not been the issue for Tar Heels. The problem has been the team’s slow starts, specifically when Trimble was not in the lineup.

Dean Smith Center | Grant Chachere, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

While speaking with the media earlier this month, head coach Hubert Davis discussed North Carolina’s sluggish starts and how it was becoming problematic.

“I don’t want them to take time because every team is different,” Davis said. “When you go into conference play, everybody has a way that they play on both ends of the floor. I don’t want to get off to slow starts. I felt like we did. It wasn’t just defensively. I didn’t feel like we were sharp on the offensive end. I think the first 12 shots that we took, seven of them were from three.”

Dec 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks with guard Kyan Evans (0) during the first half against the East Carolina Pirates at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

“I thought on both ends of the floor it took us a little while to get into the rhythm, and once we did, which it started with us defensively, I felt like it translated on the offensive end as well,” Davis said.

“No, I don’t. I wouldn’t necessarily say that we’ve consistently gotten off to slow starts,” Davis said. “I would say that at times we haven’t been consistent at the beginning, where we’ve gotten off to a fast start and then we had a four- or six-minute lull on both ends of the floor. We allow a team to come back. We’re in a situation where maybe we could extend the lead.”

Dec 16, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis looks on during the second half against the ETSU Buccaneers at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

It is difficult to say that North Carolina has completely figured it out in Trimble’s first two games back in the fold, as the Tar Heels were lackluster in the first half against Ohio State, but were firing on all cylinders against East Carolina. It is somewhere in the middle, but conference play will reveal exactly where this offense stands. Overall, the offensive performance was a mixed bag in December.

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Wendell woman shares experience at an immigration detention center after being released

Published

7 days ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Wendell woman shares experience at an immigration detention center after being released

WENDELL, N.C. (WTVD) — A Wendell woman, detained by Border Patrol for more than a month, is sharing her experience at an immigration detention center after being released earlier this week.

Fatima Velazquez-Antonio was detained by Border Patrol agents on Nov. 18 while at an HVAC job site in Raleigh. For the last month, she stayed at a detention center in Georgia.

After having bond denied, she was finally released on Monday, and returned home to North Carolina on Tuesday. Her attorney had to file a habeas corpus petition, asking a judge to determine whether her detainment was legal.

“I’m so happy to be back home with my family,” said Velazquez.

It felt like an eternity.

– Fatima Velazquez-Antonio, on her month in immigration detention

Her boyfriend, Bryan Sanchez, said her return home was the greatest Christmas gift they could have asked for.

“I mean, it’s amazing that we got her back home,” he said.

Fatima Velazquez-Antonio came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14.

Velazquez came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14.

According to federal documents, Velazquez has no aggravated felony convictions, and the government identified her detainment as involving a non-criminal individual.

As previously reported, Velazquez’s attorney said Velazquez has no criminal record, and said she was allowed to stay in the country as her asylum case processed.

ABC11 asked Velazquez whether she received any explanation as to why she was detained.

“No, no one gave me any explanation,” she said.

For the last month, Velazquez said she spent 24 hours a day in a room with 60 other women.

“When you go to the bathroom, you have no privacy. It’s the same thing when you have to bathe. Everyone can see you,” she said. “It’s hard.”

Velazquez said her faith kept her strong.

“I prayed to God every day. Every day after I woke up and before I went to bed,” she said. “I asked him to help me, give me patience, and give me the strength to get through my ordeal. But it felt like an eternity.”

She said seeing the support from people in Wake County also helped her get through her time at the detention center, including a rally held by neighbors and elected leaders calling for her release.

“All the community and the governor, the congresswoman. I mean, all of that support helped a lot,” said Sanchez. “We appreciate that a lot, with all my heart.”

Velazquez said she hopes that one day she can personally thank everyone who has shared her story and called for her release.

“I know many of them didn’t know me, but I have to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their support,” she said. “Just, thank you so much. One day, I’d like to see them and thank them in person.”

Velazquez and her family are raising money to cover her legal expenses.

Sanchez is saving up money again to eventually buy her an engagement ring. The money he was saving for the ring had to be spent to retain an attorney for her.

Velazquez has a hearing next week for her case.

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