Dayes, Samuels help NC State roll past Troy 49-21 in opener
 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Matt Dayes ran for a career-high 126 yards and two touchdowns while Jaylen Samuels ran for three scores of his own to help North Carolina State beat Troy 49-21 on Saturday night in the opener for both teams.
The Wolfpack (1-0) started the work to build on last year’s five-win improvement with a good offensive showing and some bumpy defensive moments.
N.C. State scored touchdowns on four of five first-half drives to build a big lead and was in control throughout, though it gave up big plays – including a 57-yard scoring run by Brandon Burks – that helped the Trojans (0-1) at least hang around in Neal Brown’s head-coaching debut.
Still, Dayes moved the chains all night while starting for leading rusher Shadrach Thornton, who is suspended two games. And just as when Thornton was suspended for the opener two years ago, Dayes took advantage of the extra work.
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