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NC State beats Wake Forest 34-24: Thrilling comeback and dominant Performance
The 116th consecutive rivalry between NC State and Wake Forest saw another thrilling contest, six of the last eight games were decided by 10 points or less, and this time, too, the two teams were involved in a close contest in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest 2-1 jumped out to an early two touchdown lead but NC State (3-0) showed its strenght by winning 34-24 on thursday night it was the wolfpack’s fourth road win against wake since 2000 and first 3-0 start since 2022
Match Opening: Wake Forest Gets Off to a Fast Start
Wake Forest started the game with a bang. Wide receiver/kick returner Chris Barnes showed off his speed brilliantly to score a touchdown on an untouched kickoff return down the left sideline. His speed reached 23 mph, which left NC State defenders several steps behind. Next, Barnes caught a 70-yard deep ball on the second drive to give Wake Forest the lead with a 93-yard drive. It looked like the Demon Deacons were in full swing and could dominate the game.
NC State Comeback
However, NC State refused to give up, especially against their in-state rival. Quarterback CJ Bailey took over his team and scored on the second offensive drive to cut the score to one point. Bailey and running back Hollywood Smothers combined for 52 yards, which gave the Wolfpack the lead. Defensive end Isaiah Shirley also made a significant contribution when he intercepted a pass from Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford and ran for 41 yards. During this, Shirley evaded Ashford’s tackle with a slick stutter step to score a touchdown, tying the score at 14-14.
Wolfpack dominates second half
Both teams scored points in the first half, but NC State took complete control in the second half. The Wolfpack held Wake Forest scoreless and tightened its defensive strategy. Tight end Justin Joly scored two touchdowns on only 22 receiving yards, while Smothers led the way with a career-best 164 rushing yards. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game. Bailey scored 201 yards and three touchdowns by completing 23 of 32 passes.
Wake Forest’s Robby Ashford completed 21 of 35 passes, but was unable to score any touchdowns with 252 yards and suffered two interceptions. Star running back Demond Clayborn was also limited to only 35 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. NC State gave up a total of 59 rushing yards in the game, with only 4 of those yards coming in the second half.
Coaches and players’ reactions
NC State tight end Justin Joly said, “Their coach said before the game that we had to be stronger than them. We showed on the field what real strength is.” Head coach Dave Doeren expressed his excitement after the win, saying, “I love winning. In the words of Bull Durham, ‘It’s better than losing.’ That’s what we play for.”
Challenges and improvements in defense
CJ Bailey throws for three touchdowns as Hollywood Smothers totaled a career high 163 yards on the ground to help propel NC State to a 3-0 (1-0 ACC) to the 2025 season.
NC State’s defense faced difficulties on third down in the first half. Wake Forest converted six of its first six third downs, but failed to convert two chances late in the second quarter. The Wolfpack’s defense played brilliantly in the second half, allowing Wake Forest to score on only 6 of 15 third downs. This performance was an improvement after allowing Wake Forest to score on 13 of 19 third downs against Virginia the previous week.
However, some shortcomings were also exposed. Chris Barnes’ 70-yard reception and tight end Annie Fly’s 42-yard gain were made possible by weaknesses in NC State’s coverage. Safety JJ Johnson’s injury and defensive end Sebastian Harsh’s being out due to a targeting penalty were also concerns. Harsh will miss the first half against Duke in the next game.
Conclusion
NC State showcased its strength and toughness with this win. Great performances from players like CJ Bailey, Hollywood Smothers, and Justin Joly, and the strength of the defense in the second half helped the Wolfpack win this rivalry. However, consistency in defense and improvement on third downs remain a need. This win solidifies a 3-0 start for NC State and sends a positive message for their season.
Key Statistics
- NC State: CJ Bailey (23/32, 201 yards, 3 TDs), Hollywood Smothers (164 rushing yards), Justin Joly (2 TDs).
- Wake Forest: Robby Ashford (21/35, 252 yards, 2 interceptions), Chris Barnes (70 yard reception, kickoff return TD).
- Third downs: Wake Forest (6 of 15), NC State showed improved defense in the second half.
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