Ryan Finley threw for three touchdowns as North Carolina State defeated previously unbeaten Wake Forest 33-16, giving the Wolfpack a victory in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.

Two of Finley's touchdown tosses went to receiver Kelvin Harmon, a freshman who scored his first college points.

Finley completed 23 of 36 passes for 300 yards. Running back Matt Dayes gained 125 rushing yards on 24 carries.

N.C. State (3-1, 1-0 ACC) led 17-0 less than 14 minutes into the game on the way to a 23-9 halftime edge. Mike Weaver had field goals of 34, 29 and 41 yards for the visiting Demon Deacons (4-1, 1-1).

Wake Forest closed within 26-16 late in the third quarter when quarterback John Wolford threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tabari Hines. Harmon caught a 7-yard scoring pass with 5:53 left in the game.

Dayes scored on a 6-yard run to cap the game's opening possession as N.C. State was on its way to its third home win of the season.

Finley threw for 204 yards in the first half as the Wolfpack had 308 total yards at the break. Those included touchdown passes of 13 yards to fullback Jaylen Samuels and 36 yards to Harmon.

Wolford connected on 25 of 41 passes for 263 yards. The Demon Deacons were limited to 69 rushing yards.

Wake Forest lost its fifth consecutive visit to Raleigh.