NC State football threw punch after punch against Memphis to open the Gasparilla Bowl. Racking up 24 points before the Tigers sniffed the scoreboard, the Wolfpack wrapped up the win well before halftime.
For the first time in eight years, NC State found itself on the winning side of a bowl game, dominating the Memphis Tigers 31-7 in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Pack’s last bowl win came in a 52-31 victory over Arizona State in the 2017 Sun Bowl.
The Wolfpack (8-5) reached the eight-win mark for the fifth time in the last six seasons with the win over the Tigers (8-5) — a first in school history. It was Doeren’s eighth season with eight or more victories, which is also a first for any coach in Wolfpack history. Finally, earning his fourth bowl victory as coach of the Wolfpack, Doeren tied former head coach Chuck Amato for the most bowl wins at NC State.
To earn the record-breaking win, NC State pounced on Memphis early and never let up. Missing head coach Ryan Silverfield, as he was hired by the Arkansas Razorbacks in late November, the Tigers appeared completely unprepared on both sides of the ball. Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey sliced up Memphis’ defense with ease to open the game before gliding into the endzone for the game’s first points — a sign of things to come.
Bailey continued to hunt the Tigers throughout the afternoon, leaning on shots downfield to dispose of Memphis early. A 31-yard dart over the middle to senior receiver Wesley Grimes and a 40-yard strike to freshman receiver Teddy Hoffman both resulted in touchdowns that helped bury the Tigers before halftime.
Playing in his final collegiate game, graduate linebacker Caden Fordham hit the final nail in the coffin. Late in the first quarter with a 14-0 lead, Fordham picked off a Tiger pass and ran it back 55 yards to set the Wolfpack offense up just three yards away from paydirt, ultimately leading to a touchdown off a run from freshman quarterback Will Wilson.
Fordham is one of several seniors who capped impressive careers with the bowl win. Fordham, for his part, led the Wolfpack defense with 143 total tackles this season, continuing NC State’s tradition of strong linebacking play. Fordham’s growth into an AP 3rd-Team All-American this season is a key reason why NC State found success this season, including in the bowl.
Senior defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland also closed his college career successfully. While his stat line may not jump out, with one tackle and 0.5 tackles for loss, Cleveland was key in taking on blockers to open up opportunities for others. Closing his college career in his hometown of Tampa, Florida, Cleveland earned a fitting end to a successful four-year career with the Wolfpack.
Senior cornerback Devon Marshall also ended his college career on a high note. In his second season with the Pack after transferring from Villanova, Marshall developed into the star of NC State’s secondary. Locking down his side of the field all afternoon while also helping in run support, Marshall finished the day with eight total tackles and a pass breakup.
Along with watching stellar football from guys playing their final game, Wolfpack fans saw a glimpse of the future in the bowl, starting with redshirt freshman running back Duke Scott. With redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers departing from the program, Scott will have the opportunity to be the lead back for the red-and-white next year. With the spotlight on against Memphis, Scott earned 108 yards with an impressive 5.8 yards per carry, showing he can be the bell cow running back next season.
The secondary also showcased potential for next season. Freshman safety Tristan Teasdell and redshirt freshman nickel Asaad Brown Jr. started at free and strong safety, respectively, as they have late this year. After weeks of trial by fire, the duo is settling into its roles and delivering. Teasdell and Brown combined for 11 total tackles and successfully protected the back end of the defense, critical in holding Memphis to just one touchdown.
With the 2025 season in the books, NC State will turn its attention to building through the transfer portal for next season and retaining its best players. With a three-game winning streak and a bowl victory, the Wolfpack enters this offseason with plenty of positive momentum.
NC State football will return to the gridiron on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The Wolfpack will face the Virginia Cavaliers in the first-ever college football game in South America.
