-- Wolfpack defense rises in second half.

-- NC State beats Central Michigan:

"I think today was the first day that we showed what we're capable of doing," said Glennon, who completed 20-of-36 passes for 244 yards.

"The first half on offense, the second for the defense — if we put that together, I think we'd be tough to stop."

-- Tom O'Brien saw "a great effort and no quit in this football team."

-- Turnovers cost CMU.

-- Football is 'Back in Black.'

-- Tom O'Brien tries to keep Wolfpack fans hopeful:

"I'd advise every team we play to be prepared," said Manning, a former Scotland standout who had nine tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble Saturday in his first game back from left knee surgery.

Dammit, Terrell, don't do that! What if any of the teams left on the schedule had forgotten to prepare?

[TOB's] supporters point to four-game winning streaks after slow starts in 2007 and 2008, along with a 9-4 mark last year. And who can forget his unbeaten record against Butch Davis and North Carolina.

"Every time I get guys healthy from the first half of the year, that's what's happened in the past," O'Brien said.