Running back Matt Dayes rushed for three first-quarter touchdowns as North Carolina State hammered South Alabama 63-13 on Saturday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

Dayes gained 104 yards on eight carries, becoming the first N.C. State player to reach 100 yards rushing in four consecutive games since 1981.

Tight end Jaylen Samuels scored on touchdown passes of 33 and 2 yards from quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the first half.

N.C. State completed a 4-0 record through a rather mundane nonconference schedule in advance of its Atlantic Coast Conference opener next week against visiting Louisville.

The Wolfpack broke out to a 28-7 lead in the first quarter on the way to winning a road game for the second week in a row.

Dayes scored on runs of 77, 2 and 8 yards as part of the Wolfpack's 586 yards of total offense.

Running back Shadrach Thornton, who added touchdown runs of 39 and 4 runs, rushed for 111 yards on 12 carries in his second game back after a two-game, season-opening suspension. Freshman running back Reggie Gallaspy tacked on 12- and 10-yard scoring runs in the fourth quarter.

Brissett finished 18-of-23 passing for 218 yards.

N.C. State has won its last five games away from home, something that hadn't been done since games in 1973 and 1974.

South Alabama (2-2) opened the scoring on quarterback Cody Clements' 11-yard pass to tight end Gerald Everett. Aleem Sunanon kicked field goals of 33 and 49 yards.