NC State heads into 2017 with some momentum after a convincing 41-17 win over Vanderbilt at the Independence Bowl on Monday in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Wolfpack have now registered consecutive convincing wins over talented opponents after a huge regular-season capping victory over rival North Carolina.
There wasn't much flash between the Wolfpack (7-6) and Commodores (6-7) -- at least not until the fourth quarter when NC State scored two non-offensive touchdowns. Receiver Nyheim Hines took a kickoff 100 yards back for a touchdown, essentially ending the game and answering a 1-yard TD run by Vandy's Khari Blasingame that had just made it a more interesting two-possession game.
Then, as time expired, NC State's Niles Clark had a 32-yard pick six to cap off a defensive effort that limited the Commodores to 3.88 yards per play.
NC State quarterback Ryan Finley went 19 of 30 for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
Vanderbilt was in its first bowl under third-year coach Derek Mason.
