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NC State QB CJ Bailey continues to blossom in red zone as offense propels Pack to 3-0 start

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman13 hours agofleischman_noah
CJ Bailey
Sep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) throws a pass in first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images

WINSTON-SALEM — CJ Bailey could see it coming. NC State was at the Wake Forest 4-yard line, threatening to tie the ACC opener late in the third quarter, and the Demon Deacons placed eight players along the line of scrimmage. Pressure was coming. A quick decision would be needed.  Bailey, the Wolfpack’s sophomore quarterback, was in the shotgun with redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers to his right. The Wolfpack had a pair of offset receivers on either side of the line of scrimmage for this critical third-and-goal. As Bailey took the snap, Wake Forest had a pair of pass rushers burst through the middle of the line, bearing down on him in a blink of an eye. But instead of panicking, Bailey looked like a veteran quarterback. He knew where his hot read — senior tight end Justin Joly — was in the middle of the end zone, and quickly fired a dart to his sure-handed playmaker. Joly leaped into the air and came down with the easy pitch and catch to knot the game, which helped the Wolfpack carry its momentum to win 34-24 on Thursday night at Allegacy Stadium.