Vanderbilt secured a stunning 35-31 comeback victory over NC State on Saturday after Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey fumbled an intentional safety in the end zone with just one second remaining, capping a frantic finish at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.
College football delivered another unforgettable finish when Vanderbilt turned a frantic final minute into a dramatic 35-31 triumph over North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon. With only six seconds left on the clock and the Wolfpack holding a narrow 31-28 advantage deep in their own territory, the game appeared all but decided. Instead, a chaotic sequence unfolded inside the end zone that left the home crowd in disbelief and pushed the Commodores to a 3-0 start.
The Final-Second Fumble That Stunned Nashville
Faced with a fourth-and-7 from their own 4-yard line, the Wolfpack elected against punting to avoid any risk of a blocked kick or a game-changing mistake. Coach Dave Doeren sent quarterback CJ Bailey back into the game to take an intentional safety, designed to burn the remaining ticks off the clock while preserving a lead.
Rather than dropping immediately to the turf, Bailey attempted to buy extra time as Vanderbilt defenders converged. Pass rusher Miles Capers closed in and punched the ball loose from the junior’s grasp. Cornerback Cayden Daniels pounced on the loose football in the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown with just one tick left on the game clock.
Following an official review that upheld the touchdown, officials restored one second to the clock. NC State attempted a series of desperate laterals following the ensuing kickoff, but Vanderbilt recovered another fumble to seal the win.
How Vanderbilt Climbed Out of a 17-Point Deficit
The wild finish overshadowed a commanding early performance by the visitors. The Wolfpack dominated the opening half, building a 17-0 lead after scoring on three of their first four possessions. They extended that margin to 24-7 in the third quarter and later led 31-28 before the game unraveled.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis endured a shaky start in his first career start. The freshman threw a first-quarter interception and lost a second-quarter fumble as the Commodores struggled to generate momentum.
However, Curtis caught fire late in the first half and finished the afternoon completing 20 of 34 passes for 277 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also adding 64 yards on the ground. His 43-yard touchdown pass to Junior Sherrill trimmed the deficit to 31-28 with 6:18 remaining in regulation, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Statistical Contrast and Rare Historical Company
Bailey put together a stellar performance for the Wolfpack before his game-ending miscue. The 6-foot-6 quarterback totaled 310 yards of offense, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 35 yards. Wide receiver Keenan Jackson was his primary target, hauling in nine catches for 102 yards and all three of Bailey’s scoring strikes.
Despite that offensive production, the collapse carried historic rarity. Entering Saturday’s contest, teams leading with the ball in the final 10 seconds of regulation held a staggering 1,046-1 record over the prior 20 seasons, according to ESPN Research. The lone prior defeat in that span was Michigan’s infamous trouble with the snap
against Michigan State on Oct. 17, 2015.
Postgame Reactions and Next Steps for Both Programs
The locker rooms reflected contrasting realities as Nashville celebrated a comeback while Raleigh processed a devastating collapse.
Doeren explained that the final offensive play had a clear instruction set that went unfulfilled. It’s just a play where you roll out and you don’t get tackled, you try to burn as much time as you can and then fall to the ground and protect the football,
Doeren told reporters after the game. He got hit and he didn’t protect the football.
With the victory, Vanderbilt improves to 3-0 on the young campaign and carries momentum into its upcoming SEC schedule, with a matchup against Auburn slated for September 26. Meanwhile, NC State falls to 1-2 following the road defeat, raising the temperature in Raleigh as the team turns its focus toward Appalachian State.