Alex Manuel
Redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers and senior wide receiver Wesley Grimes celebrate after a touchdown during the game against Campbell in Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Smothers rushed for 123 yards and recorded two total touchdowns. The Wolfpack beat the Camels 56-10.
In the fashion you might expect, NC State football dominated Campbell 56-10, delivering blow after blow to get back into the win column.
Before the season, there were a few games on the schedule that you might’ve circled, anticipating a close, exciting game. This matchup versus the Camels was not one of them. And the way it played out was proof of why.
Around the league, there were some lopsided contests among ACC teams in the afternoon slate — but none was more lopsided than the matchup between the Pack and Campbell — at least on the scoreboard.
NC State (4-2) dominated all three phases, despite a few early miscues. Freshman wide receiver Teddy Hoffman muffed the first punt of the game, giving Campbell (1-5) prime field position at the Wolfpack 14-yard line. Two plays later, the Camels pushed down the field with a 13-yard passing play to punch it in, tying the game at seven.
But from there, it was all Wolfpack, as NC State scored 48 unanswered.
“We needed to play well today,” said head coach Dave Doeren. “Obviously, [we] didn’t play well a week ago. And offensively, anyway, and we had a lot of ground to make up. You’ve got to get better each week of the season, like we have.”
All of the main characters played their roles — starting with sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey, who posted 292 passing yards and 4 touchdowns by the end of the first half. By the time he sat at the end of the third quarter, he had posted 337 yards in the air, his second biggest game of the year.
Another Wolfpack star showing out was redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers, who posted 123 yards on four carries and a touchdown. Among the position group, the running backs posted four touchdowns and 226 yards, including a breakout game from redshirt freshman Jayden “Duke” Scott, who posted 8.9 yards per carry.
As is typical of a game that got so lopsided, the Pack spread the ball among the skill positions. 11 players posted more than 10 yards receiving, including redshirt sophomore Noah Rogers, who posted 62 yards with 20.7 yards per reception.
As high-powered as the offense remained, it was State’s defense that did not blink, holding Campbell to less than 200 total yards. Even after the starters were pulled in the third quarter, the Pack held the Camels’ offense at bay. Graduate linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. led the Wolfpack with 9 tackles.
“[When] the stars come out of the game, the backups know the plan,” Soares Jr. said. “We play every single day in practice, ones, twos, threes. Whoever’s on the field knows exactly what to do, where to be and they kind of pride themselves on being able to play that same play with the same physicality.”
Next up, the Pack will face its biggest test of the season as it heads to South Bend, Indiana, to face the 2025 National Championship runner-up Notre Dame (3-2), who previously had been ranked as high as No. 6 this season. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.