NC State at Wake Forest: Live game blog
WINSTON-SALEM — NC State hit the road for the first time this season to face off with Wake Forest on Thursday night at Allegacy Stadium to open ACC play.
TheWolfpacker.com will post all of the key updates throughout the tilt between the Demon Deacons and the Wolfpack.
Final
09/11/2025 10:13:32 PMNC State wins 34-24 to earn its second straight comeback win of the fall. The Pack is 3-0
Interception!
09/11/2025 09:56:06 PMNC State redshirt freshman safety Ronnie Royal III posted his first-career interception with just under five minutes left in the game.
That’s the Pack’s second turnover forced. NC State leads 34-24.
Two-score lead?
09/11/2025 09:44:59 PMBailey, who appeared to play through a sore leg, led the Wolfpack down the field to set up a 38-yard field goal try that Kanoah Vinesett nailed.
NC State 34, Wake Forest 24. 4Q 6:19.
NC State leads
09/11/2025 09:28:16 PMNC State quarterback CJ Bailey helped engineer a five-play, 70-yard drive that was capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass to wideout Keenan Jackson for the Wolfpack’s first lead of the night.
NC State 31, Wake Forest 24. 4Q 12:37.
End Third Quarter
09/11/2025 09:16:05 PMNC State 24, Wake Forest 24.
A sack!
09/11/2025 09:14:37 PMNC State picked up its first sack of the night — and second of the season — from defensive end Travali Price. It forced the fourth straight three-and-out from the Wake Forest offense.
NC State 24, Wake Forest 24.
NC State knots it up
09/11/2025 08:53:52 PMAfter forcing back-to-back three-and-outs for the first time tonight, NC State’s offense took advantage. It went 70 yards on eight plays in 3:46 to tie this one up with a CJ Bailey 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Justin Joly.
NC State 24, Wake Forest 24. 3Q 6:22.
Halftime
09/11/2025 08:14:26 PM
NC State cuts into lead
09/11/2025 08:14:16 PMNC State’s offense seemed to find a groove by feeding redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers. He had a19-yard gain get the Pack into the red zone.
The drive stalled out at the Wake Forest 7-yard line to put Kanoah Vinesett for a 24-yard attempt. He made it.
Wake Forest 24, NC State 17. 2Q 1:00.
Wake Forest extends its lead
09/11/2025 07:49:36 PMAfter NC State was forced to punt for the second time of the night, Wake Forest’s offense moved the ball with ease down the field, headlined by a 26-yard reception.
The Demon Deacons capped the 11-play, 69-yard drive with a 28-yard field goal.
Wake Forest 24, NC State 14. 2Q 8:57.
Another explosive, another Wake Forest touchdown
09/11/2025 07:33:38 PMWake Forest’s offense is taking advantage of explosive plays. A 41-yard pass set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown for the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest 21, NC State 14. 2Q 12:12.
End 1st Quarter
NC State 14, Wake Forest 14.
Big. Man. TD.
09/11/2025 07:21:09 PMWhen NC State needed to make a play, its defense did just that. Defensive end Isaiah Shirley picked off Robby Ashford and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown.
NC State 14, Wake Forest 14. 1Q 1:19.
NC State finally responds
09/11/2025 07:15:30 PMNC State went for it on 4th-and-1 from its own 5-yard line. CJ Bailey connected with a wide-open Justin Joly to cut the deficit in half.
Wake Forest 14, NC State 7. 1Q 2:35.
Another one…
09/11/2025 06:56:52 PMWake Forest extended its lead via a Demond Claiborne 1-yard touchdown run. 7-play, 93-yard drive in 2:47.
Wake Forest 14, NC State 0. 1Q 7:19.
Wake Forest scored first
09/11/2025 06:51:32 PMThe Demon Deacons took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to take an early lead.
Wake Forest 7, NC State 0.
NC State win the toss
09/11/2025 06:34:24 PMNC State won the toss and elected to defer. The Wolfpack defense will hit the field first in this one.
