Watch: N.C. State RB racks up 144 yards, 2 TDs on first 3 carries

Dec 26, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Matt Dayes (21) and guard Joe Thuney (54) celebrate during the game against the Central Florida Knights at the 2014 St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field. The North Carolina State Wolfpack defeated the Central Florida Knights 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

N.C. State running back Matt Dayes tallied 144 yards and two touchdowns on his first three attempts against Wake Forest on Saturday. Mark Zerof USA TODAY Sports

N.C. State running back Matt Dayes galloped out of the gate against Wake Forest on Saturday as he rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns on his first three attempts of the game.

Dayes broke free for an 85-yard TD run, the fifth-longest in school history, to hand the Wolfpack a 14-0 lead.

Later in the quarter, Dayes would strike again when he dashed 57 yards to extend the advantage to 28-0.

N.C. State would go into halftime up 28-7