After a second half collapse where the Pack allowed 29 unanswered, NC State football fell 36-7 at Notre Dame. Fordham: “It’s simple, we gotta play complimentary football. We haven’t done that all year in my opinion.”
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.
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.”
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.
Josiah Lee, Assistant Sports Editor
• Aug 29, 2025
Holding strong in the final minute, NC State football curbed ECU 24-17, thwarting a potential game-tying Pirates drive. Doeren: “This game was about getting our identity back and playing hard, tough, together football.”
Josiah Lee, Assistant Sports Editor
• Aug 27, 2025
CJ Bailey was thrust into the starting role early last season after Grayson McCall’s injury. Assistant Sports Editor Josiah Lee retells his rise and previews his sophomore campaign as the Pack gears up for ECU.
