UCF wide receiver Rannell Hall (6) stiff-arms North Carolina State cornerback Jack Tocho (29) during the first quarter of the St. Petersburg Bitcoin Bowl on Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
UCF wide receiver Rannell Hall (6) stiff-arms North Carolina State cornerback Jack Tocho (29) during the first quarter of the St. Petersburg Bitcoin Bowl on Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.Monica Herndon/Associated Press

Brissett threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Johnathan Alston to put the Wolfpack (8-5) ahead for good in the second quarter. Running back Shadrach Thornton got N.C. State going early with an 18-yard scoring pass to Jaylen Samuels.

UCF (9-4) began the night ranked in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed per game, as well as pass efficiency, rushing and scoring defense. But the co-champions of the American Athletic Conference had no answers for Brissett and a supporting cast that amassed 488 yards of total offense – over 200 more than opponents averaged against the Knights during the regular season.