Jackson ran for 121 yards, including a 68-yard scoring sprint in the opening quarter, to lead a strong ground attack for the Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). N.C. State carried plenty of impressive stats into its ACC opener, though playing four overmatched opponents — two picked sixth or lower in the Sun Belt, another picked next to last in its Conference USA division and a Championship Subdivision opponent — didn't reveal a lot about whether the team could make good on its goal of contending in the Atlantic Division. N.C.