A couple months ago, North Carolina State coach Tom O’Brien was, rightfully or not, on the coaching hot seat with the Wolfpack hovering around .500.
After tonight, he might have bought himself at least one or two more years.
NC State has won four of their last five, including a 31-24 win tonight over Louisville in the Belk Bowl, to send the Wolfpack out of 2011 with a respectable 8-5 record and some momentum heading into 2012.
O’Brien’s also won eight of his last 10 bowl games.
First-year starting quarterback Mike Glennon has struggled with some inconsistencies this season, but looked more confident this evening, throwing for 265 yards and three touchdowns.
But it was the Wolfpack’s defense that took advantage of a very, very young Louisville offense. True freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw three picks, two of which went to NC State defensive back David Amerson to get his 12th and 13th interception of the season.
Charlie Strong has a young and talented group at Louisville. The future is definitely bright for that group. They just couldn’t come out with the win tonight.