WATCH: Wake WR Jaquari Roberson Extends For The Impressive TD Grab

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Ricky Person Jr. scored the short go-ahead touchdown with 5:51 left to help NC State edge Wake Forest 45-42 on Saturday night in the Wolfpack's delayed season debut.

Person ran for 99 yards and two scores to lead the Wolfpack (1-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who opened the eighth season under Dave Doeren a week later than originally scheduled due to a coronavirus-related postponement. He also threw a jump-pass TD throw near the goal line in the third quarter.

Zonovan Knight added 97 yards rushing and a score of his own for NC State, which ended a three-game skid in the long-running instate series.

Person's 3-yard score finally put the Wolfpack ahead for good. Then the defense came through, with Penn State graduate transfer Daniel Joseph sacking Sam Hartman to force a fourth-and-21, followed by Hartman throwing incomplete over the middle with 1:10 left to end a drive for a tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown.

That spoiled a huge game for Wake Forest running back Kenneth Walker III, who ran for 131 yards and three touchdowns - including a 2-yard wildcat keeper with 9:12 left that gave the Demon Deacons (0-2, 0-2) a 42-38 lead.

Hartman finished with 236 yards passing and a score, while Ja'Sir Taylor had a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Bailey Hockman threw for 191 yards and a score and added TD for NC State after getting the nod for this one instead of expected starter Devin Leary.

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Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons host No. 7 Notre Dame in a game that was originally scheduled to be played in Charlotte.

NC State: The Wolfpack makes its delayed visit to the Hokies next Saturday.