Between -26 rushing yards, three untimely turnovers, and over 500 yards of total offense allowed by the Wolfpack’s defense, N.C. State (2-2, 0-1 ACC) was routed by Cincinnati (3-1, 0-0 Big East), 44-14, on Thursday night. The lop-sided affair was the worst loss State has suffered since a 52-20 drubbing at Boston College in October of 2009.

Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros accounted for two of the first three touchdowns on the night, including 10- and 13-yard scampers into the end zone. Collaros finished with 263 yards passing in front of the sell out crowd at Nippert Stadium.

The game started with State advancing into Bearcat territory, but redshirt junior quarterback Mike Glennon and the offense sputtered at the opposition’s 41. The trend would become a common theme, as the Wolfpack’s rushing game often went backwards throughout the night by accumulating negative yardage.

Bearcat running back Isaiah Pead started the scoring with a two-yard rush to cap off a short touchdown drive. Glennon was intercepted by defensive back Drew Frey on the Pack’s second possession, which set up Cincinnati on the Wolfpack 35-yard line.

On the second scoring possession for Cincinnati, a 44-yard passing play on a third-and-17 in addition to a roughing the passer penalty to negate what would have been a fourth down situation, kept momentum in the home team’s favor. Collaros would take advantage of Pack miscues to tack on two touchdowns, making the score 21-0, before State put any points on the board.

NCSU’s offense appeared to have life when Glennon hooked up with senior wide receiver T.J. Graham for an 87-yard touchdown pass play, but Cincinnati held off any charge. Graham had 176 receiving yards and both of State’s touchdowns on the night.

N.C. State’s next game will be at home on October 1 against Georgia Tech. Start time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. from Carter-Finley Stadium.