RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State (3-2, 0-1 ACC) leaned on its defense Saturday to take down Northern Illinois, 24-17. State held the Huskies to 279 yards of total offense, while racking up 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, nine quarterback hurries, six pass breakups, two interceptions and four forced fumbles. But most impressively, State’s defense got stronger as the game progressed, holding Northern Illinois to three second-half points.