Russell Wilson threw for 252 yards in the first half as host N.C. State beat Cincinnati 30-19 to improve to 3-0.

Wilson, who appeared rusty in the Wolfpack's first two wins after a summer playing baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization, finished 26 of 40 for 333 yards and three scores. He threw a 16-yard touchdown to Jay Smith in the first quarter, a 12-yarder to Curtis Underwood in the second, and an 8-yarder to Taylor Gentry in the fourth.

N.C. State led 20-7 after a sloppy first half in which the teams combined for seven fumbles.

Cincinnati, under first-year coach Butch Jones, fell to 1-2. Zach Collaros threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, including a' 68-yard strike to D.J. Woods in the second quarter, but was sacked five times.

The teams put up 875 yards of total offense, each averaging more than 6 yards per play.

The Wolfpack open ACC play Sept. 25 at Georgia Tech, while the struggling Bearcats next face No. 9 Oklahoma.