It was an emotional night for NC State football after defensive coordinator DJ Eliot’s daughter, Drue, passed earlier this weekend from pediatric cancer. Doeren: “Man, I can’t even tell you how hard this week has been.”
Daniel Susann, Assistant Sports Editor
• Sep 28, 2025
Another Carter-Finley night, another missed chance. NC State football fell 23-21 to Virginia Tech on Saturday night, undone by poor run blocking, five sacks and woes as the Hokies secured their Power Four win.
Coming off a mistake-ridden Saturday in Durham, NC State football aims to rebound against Virginia Tech and its new coaching staff. Correspondent Carson Correll analyzes the Hokies’ roster and how the Wolfpack needs to adjust.
Just when you think you have something, NC State football refuses to get out of its own way. With the Pack having all the talent in the world, Sports Editor Connor VanDerMark says it needs to cut down on errors to have a path forward.
After a controversial swing before halftime, NC State football fell 45-33 to Duke on Saturday night. Terrell Anderson’s breakout 166-yard, two-touchdown masterclass wasn’t enough as the Wolfpack dropped to 3-1.
It’s difficult to blame an entire game on one play, but it isn’t impossible. Assistant Sports Editor Josiah Lee breaks down why the root of NC State football’s 45-33 loss to Duke was a no-call that shifted the momentum and gave Duke much needed life.
CJ Bailey and Hollywood Smothers have NC State football’s offense producing at an unprecedented pace. Staff writer Noah Teague recounts just how special they’ve been, and what they could do the rest of the way.
Since 2002, NC State football has failed to secure that oh-so-sweet 10th win. Sports Editor Connor VanDerMark says if it doesn’t happen this year, the curse might never be broken.
In year two, CJ Bailey has pieced up defenses, proving his talent and leadership. Against Wake Forest, it was no different. Welcome to the CJ Bailey show. Smothers: “Everybody knows he just can play. We only gonna go as far as No. 11 go.”
In thrilling fashion, NC State football avenged last season’s heartbreaking loss to Wake Forest with a comeback 34-24 win in Winston-Salem. Shirley: “Our mentality, we just dug deep.”
NC State football is set to take on Wake Forest Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Correspondent Carson Correll breaks down the upcoming contest and the matchup history. Notably, Dave Doeren is 2-4 at Wake Forest, with a total record of 6-6 versus the Deacs since 2013.
From CJ Bailey’s spectacular start to the defense’s terrible performance against the pass, Staff Writer Noah Teague breaks down a few trends from NC State football through two games.
