Wolfpack struggling, but still in hunt for division title

RALEIGH, N.C. - The race for the ACC&#39;s Atlantic Division title is wide-open, and midway through the season North Carolina State is still in the hunt.<br> <br> Who would&#39;ve thought an N.C. State team that lost at home to lowly Akron and was embarrassed at Southern Mississippi and most recently lost at home to Wake Forest for the first time since 1984 would still be a factor in the chase?<br> <br> The Wolfpack, that&#39;s who.<br> <br> ``We know that we&#39;re in it, and that&#39;s our goal,&#39;&#39; running back Toney Baker said. ``That&#39;s not going to change. We&#39;ve just got to work hard to get there.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> N.C. State (3-3, 2-1) is hanging around in the race because of two factors an overall down year for the ACC, and improved play behind sophomore quarterback Daniel Evans.<br> <br> Five teams in the division have one loss apiece in conference play, and the league&#39;s perennial power Florida State, last year&#39;s champion is in last place with two defeats.<br> <br> Two weeks ago, the Wolfpack beat the Seminoles and before that, Boston College behind a strong performance from Evans.<br> <br> The Wolfpack was undefeated in conference play before a 25-23 loss last week to Wake Forest, a game in which Evans suffered a mild concussion.<br> <br> He has been cleared to play Saturday at Maryland the team the Wolfpack beat in last year&#39;s regular-season finale to become bowl eligible and keep the Terrapins from qualifying for the postseason.<br> <br> Evans&#39; success against the Eagles and Seminoles has earned him the respect of teammates.<br> <br> ``He&#39;s very poised, and he makes great decisions,&#39;&#39; Baker said. ``He&#39;ll step in there and make a throw and he&#39;s not scared to get hit.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Each of the Wolfpack&#39;s three conference games has come down to the final minutes, with N.C. State beating Boston College on a touchdown pass with 8.5 seconds left and then topping Florida State after trailing by 10 points. Wake Forest beat the Wolfpack last week in a game sealed by Josh Gattis&#39; interception with 45 seconds remaining.<br> <br> ``It is frustrating, because they&#39;re going down to the wire, but I&#39;ll take it because two of the last three, we&#39;ve won,&#39;&#39; safety Miguel Scott said.<br> <br> And if the Wolfpack can keep pulling out those close victories, they&#39;ll remain a factor in the Atlantic Division race, Baker said.<br> <br> ``We&#39;re in ACC football, and it doesn&#39;t get better than that,&#39;&#39; Baker said. ``We would definitely like to take care of business a little earlier, but unfortunately it hasn&#39;t come down to that. The last couple of games came down to the last few seconds or the last drive. That&#39;s what happens when you play big-time football in the ACC.&#39;&#39;