By the numbers: Key stats and figures from the Wolfpack's loss at Notre Dame

By Noah Fleischman

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — NC State was unable to overcome a stagnant offense with its beat up defense in a 36-7 loss at No. 16 Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon.

Let’s take a look at the key numbers and statistics from the Wolfpack’s third straight FBS loss of the season.

By the numbers: Inside NC State’s loss at Notre Dame

0 – number of times NC State’s offense entered the red zone. It was the first time this season that the Wolfpack offense wasn’t able to get inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. NC State ran 8 total plays inside Notre Dame territory, making it as far as the Irish 29-yard line on the Wolfpack’s final drive of the game. It was the first time that had happened since NC State’s 34-0 loss to Florida State on Oct. 29, 2011.

3.8 – Redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers’ yards per carry in the loss. He was limited to a season-low 46 yards on just 12 attempts. NC State, as a team, logged 1.8 yards per carry.

4 – The number of times sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey was sacked. The Wolfpack’s offensive line was only credited with two of them, with the signal-caller taking a pair of coverage sacks at Notre Dame.

6 – BIG plays for NC State’s offense, which are either a run of 10 yards or more and a pass of 15 yards or more. The Wolfpack had four of the latter and two of the former. Notre Dame, meanwhile,  had 16 such (11 passing, 5 rushing).

8 – The number of receptions allowed by redshirt junior nickel Jackson Vick on 11 targets. It resulted in 149 yards with a touchdown and 51 yards after the catch. It was Vick’s first game back after missing the previous three due to injury.

12 – Total first downs for NC State’s offense — 8 passing, 3 rushing, and 1 via penalty. Notre Dame, at the same time, had 24.

14 – The number of missed tackles for NC State’s defense. It tied the season high for the group, which it turned in the loss against Virginia Tech two weeks ago.

57 – Bailey’s completion percentage, a season-low mark. It was his second-lowest total of his career, only to be outdone by a 41 percent mark in the Wolfpack’s 29-19 loss to Duke in 2024.

Fit, feel, setting statistics

Record by uniform combination

White-Red-Red (City of Oaks): 1-0
White-Red-Red (home jersey): 1-0
White-Red-White: 1-0
Red-White-Red: 1-1
Red-Black-Red: 0-1
Black-White-Black: 0-1

Record by kickoff time

12:00 p.m.: 1-0
2:00 p.m.: 1-0
3:30 p.m.: 0-1
4:00 p.m.: 0-1
7:00 p.m.: 1-1
7:30 p.m.: 1-0

Record by TV network

ACC Network: 1-0
ACC Network Extra: 1-0
ESPN: 1-0
ESPN2: 1-1
The CW: 0-1
Peacock: 0-1

Record by venue

Carter-Finley Stadium: 3-1
Away: 1-2