ORLANDO, Fla. » If this was Russell Wilson’s football finale, he sure made the most of it.

Wilson threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns, leading North Carolina State past No. 22 West Virginia 23-7 in the Champs Sports Bowl yesterday.

The Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading passer this season now has to decide whether to make an early move toward a professional baseball career or come back to lead the Wolfpack again next year.

"I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to play football and baseball my whole life," Wilson said. "If it happens in the future that I can still do that, or if it doesn’t, whatever, but I know that playing for Coach (Tom) O’Brien and playing for N.C. State—whether I do come back or not—has been a great opportunity and a great blessing.

"I’m very passionate about N.C. State and N.C. State football, and I will always be."

Wilson also had 41 yards rushing, Josh Czajkowski made three field goals and the Wolfpack (9-4) won nine games for the first time since 2002.

Geno Smith had 196 yards passing and an injured Noel Devine ran for 50 yards for the Mountaineers (9-4), whose five second-half turnovers ended any hopes of a cheerful send-off for some of Bill Stewart’s staff.

Stewart is being slowly moved out as coach, with Dana Holgorsen, Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator, taking over at the same position next year at West Virginia before moving into Stewart’s job in 2012. The game was current offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen’s last game.

Wilson, who earned the bowl’s MVP honor, may very well have played his last football game for the Wolfpack. He spent much of the summer playing second base in the Colorado Rockies’ minor-league system, and his career in baseball has always seemed more promising.

The Wolfpack can only hope he returns.

Wilson was 28-for -5 passing, had no interceptions and shredded a West Virginia defense that had been solid. It was the most points the Mountaineers—who had never given up more than 21 points—allowed all season.

"We’ve got to try to persuade him to come back," running back James Washington said.

Wilson’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Mustafa Greene put the Wolfpack up 7-0 in the first quarter, and they never had trouble moving the ball after that. Scoring, at least early, was another matter.

N.C. State’s offense stalled several times after crossing into Mountaineers’ territory. The Wolfpack also faked a potential 43-yard field goal in the second quarter that was a disaster: Holder Corey Tedder threw an over-the-shoulder pass from his knees that skipped off the new FieldTurf, kicker Czajkowski was hit amid the scramble and West Virginia took possession.

West Virginia capitalized when Smith threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Stedman Bailey, who reached over defensive back David Amerson to catch the ball and tie the game.

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

North Carolina State 23, No. 22 West Virginia 7

NCSt–Greene 16 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick)
WVU–Bailey 32 pass from G.Smith (Bitancurt kick)
NCSt–FG Czajkowski 45
NCSt–FG Czajkowski 38
NCSt–FG Czajkowski 40
NCSt–Williams 7 pass from R.Wilson (Czajkowski kick)
A–48,962

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–West Virginia, G.Smith 12-59, Devine 8-50, Sanders 1-17, Austin 1-8, Alston 2-6, Team 1-(minus 10). N.C. State, Washington 18-62, R.Wilson 14-41, Greene 3-13, Tedder 1-(minus 13).

PASSING–West Virginia, G.Smith 22-39-1-196. N.C. State, R.Wilson 28-45-0-275.

RECEIVING–West Virginia, Sanders 5-58, Austin 5-30, Bailey 4-61, Devine 4-21, Woods 2-14, Alston 2-12. N.C. State, Williams 6-77, Davis 5-68, Spencer 3-44, Bryan 3-25, T.Gentry 2-14, M.Carter 2-11, Graham 2-7, Washington 2-4, Greene 1-16, Howard 1-5, J.Smith 1-4.