Vanderbilt secured a 35-31 win over North Carolina State in the final seconds of Saturday’s game at FirstBank Stadium, capping an improbable comeback with a game-ending fumble recovery in the end zone.
The Commodores trailed by 17 points at halftime before rallying to tie the game in the fourth quarter. With six seconds remaining, NC State quarterback CJ Bailey took a snap at the 4-yard line and was stripped by Miles Capers, with Cayden Daniels recovering the fumble for a touchdown to seal the victory.
Vanderbilt improved to 3-0 on the season, while NC State fell to 1-2 after leading for most of the game.
Game Recap
NC State opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 38-yard touchdown run by Will Wilson and a 30-yard pass from Bailey to Keenan Jackson, building a 17-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Vanderbilt responded with a 12-yard touchdown reception by Junior Sherrill in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 17-7 at halftime.
The Wolfpack extended their lead to 20-7 in the third quarter on a field goal, but Vanderbilt answered with touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to tie the game at 31-31 with under two minutes remaining.
NC State then drove into field goal range, but a delay-of-game penalty set up fourth-and-7 at the 4-yard line with six seconds left. Bailey took the snap, rolled right, and was stripped by Capers. Daniels recovered the fumble in the end zone as time expired, giving Vanderbilt the walk-off victory.
Key Performances
- CJ Bailey (NC State): Completed 22 of 35 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, but his final play ended in a critical turnover.
- Will Wilson (NC State): Rushed for 124 yards and one touchdown, contributing to the Wolfpack’s early dominance.
- Junior Sherrill (Vanderbilt): Caught six passes for 89 yards and one touchdown, helping spark the comeback.
- Cayden Daniels (Vanderbilt): Recorded the game-winning fumble recovery in the end zone.
Reactions
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea called the win "a testament to the resilience of this team." NC State head coach Dave Doeren acknowledged the Wolfpack’s missed opportunities, stating, "We had the game in our hands."
The victory marks Vanderbilt’s first 3-0 start since 2012 and extends NC State’s struggles against SEC opponents under Doeren.