NC State Wolfpack at Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt stuns N.C. State with fumble recovery in end zone for improbable 35-31 win

CJ Bailey was attempting to run out the clock or take a safety on what could have been the final play of the game but he fumbled as he was being tackled. After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff there was enough time for one play, but the Wolfpack were stopped on their side of the 50-yard line.

Vanderbilt (3-0) was down 17-0 in the first half and 24-7 in the third quarter but rallied behind freshman QB Jared Curtis.

“It's having true brotherhood. We trust each other, we're going to play for each other, and we know that we not out of the fight no matter what,” Vanderbilt edge Miles Capers said.

N.C. State was looking for its first road win against an SEC opponent since 1977, but Vanderbilt ties its largest comeback win since defeating Ole Miss in 2012. The Commodores' lead on the fumble-recovery touchdown was their only lead of the game.

“We talk about every blade of grass on defense, and that's literally every blade of grass,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said.

In what seemed improbable after Curtis was intercepted by Brody Barnhardt at the 1-yard line with 1:04 left in the game, Vanderbilt defied the odds.

“I can't put into words what I felt...you get one of those in a lifetime,” Lea said. “We cheated the football gods today and got away with it.”

N.C. State took control early and didn’t surrender the lead until the last play. The Wolfpack led 14-0 after a 33-yard touchdown run by Will Wilson and a touchdown pass from Bailey to Keenan Jackson. Along with over 200 yards in the air, N.C. State also had over 100 yards on the ground.

“Plan was to take a safety; we’re trying to run out of the clock if we can, but you know, there was no intent to run the football and get hit on that play,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said.

It was a scorching hot day in Nashville, with pre-kickoff temperatures at a feels-like 98 degrees, on-field temperature at 150 degrees, and the National Weather Service saying it reached a record of 100 degrees in Nashville.

The takeaway N.C. State: The Wolfpack rushing attack was solid with 164 yards, and the offense was efficient against an SEC opponent.

Vanderbilt: Offensive line issues need to be figured out in order to help Curtis. They committed five holding penalties and a false start. The Commodores totaled 13 penalties for 116 yards.

Up next N.C. State hosts Appalachian State next Saturday.

Vanderbilt travels to play Auburn next Saturday.

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