North Carolina State’s defense and special teams came through with big plays as the host Wolfpack pulled away from Liberty 43-21 in the season opener Saturday.

The Wolfpack (1-0) got a T.J. Graham 82-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter, and a Brian Slay 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the third to take control. N.C. State forced seven turnovers.

Liberty (0-1) took a 7-3 lead by forcing a fumble of its own, with Francis Bah returning it 32 yards for a touchdown with 13:30 left in the second quarter. The Wolfpack scored twice in the final 3:38 of the first half: Graham’s punt return with 3:38 left and a 1-yard touchdown run by James Washington with 32 seconds left giving N.C. State a 16-7 halftime lead.

The Wolfpack blew the game open in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns in 51 seconds to turn a 30-21 lead into a 43-21 advantage. Mario Carter caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mike Glennon, and Washington scored on a 19-yard run.

Curtis Underwood Jr. rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown for N.C. State. Washington rushed for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Making his first start at quarterback, Glennon completed 18-of-31 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown.

Liberty quarterback Mike Brown completed 22-of-39 passes for 279 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 77 yards.

N.C. State opens ACC play next Saturday at Wake Forest. Liberty plays host to Robert Morris next Saturday.