The Review: NC State comes through in fourth quarter

NC State’s offense scored in bunches, especially in the second half, but the defense needed to hold on at the end to defeat Virginia 35-31 on Saturday to improve to 2-0.

Play of the game

Virginia was facing first down and 10 at the NC State 12-yard line with 67 seconds left while trailing 35-31. Senior running back J’Mari Taylor slipped out of the backfield and started running toward the end zone. NC State senior edge rusher Cian Slone adeptly picked him up and covered him so well that UVa senior quarterback Chandler Morris never should have pondered throwing the ball, but he did and Slone got his first college interception.

The other critical play that really set up the entire strategy of the fourth quarter was when Virginia kicker Will Bettridge hit the left goal post from 47 yards out with 13:20 left in the game. That was the first of three scoring chances Virginia had in the fourth quarter, resulting in turning the ball over on downs with 6:37 left and Slone’s interception.

Three game balls

1. Sophomore quarterback C.J. Bailey: Bailey was efficient and smooth in throwing for a touchdown and rushing for two scores. He went 16-of-23 passing for 200 yards, and he added six carries for 44 yards. He completed passes to seven different receivers.

2. Redshirt sophomore running back Daylan Smothers: Smothers proved to be the catalyst in the second half comeback, finishing with a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, plus two catches for 13 yards. His nine-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds left in the third quarter was the game-winner.

3. Redshirt junior nickel Jackson Vick: The secondary got beat up during the game, but Vick finished with seven tackles and one pass broken up, and per Pro Football Focus, the Cavaliers completed three passes for just 26 yards against him.

Key statistical advantages

NC State had three trips inside the red zone and converted on all three, while Virginia went 3 of 5. The Cavaliers getting stuffed on two straight running plays and turning over on downs got overshadowed by Slone’s interception, but proved crucial in a four-point game.

Virginia had a lop-sided time of possession and total plays in the first half in building a 24-14 lead. The Cavaliers finished with 75-58 advantage on plays and held 32.25 time of possession.

The reason Virginia dominated the amount of plays was due to going an incredible 13 of 19 on third downs and 1 of 2 on fourth downs. UVa went 10 of 13 on third downs in the first half.

NCSU senior punter Caden Noonkester punted four times for an average of 49.8 yards, out-booting his counterpart.

What went well

NC State didn’t allow any points in the final 15:45 of the game, which seemed improbable during the first three quarters.

Smothers had a 57-yard run and set the tone in the second half. NC State’s offensive enforced its will after halftime and that spurred on the Wolfpack’s comeback. Smothers finished with 115 rushing yards and two scores after halftime.

Bailey found redshirt sophomore wide receiver Noah Rogers on an impressive 27-yard strike that tied the game 14-14 with 14:23 left in the second quarter.

Backup freshman quarterback Will Wilson converted on two short-yardage fourth-down plays. The first one led to Rogers’ touchdown. The second conversion at own 28-yard line with 3:24 left in the game led to Virginia needing to take two timeouts and have an additional 61 seconds go off the clock.

Bailey and the offense didn’t have any turnovers and UVa didn’t have one sack.

What needs improvement

Virginia’s offense and smart play calling exposed NC State’s defense, especially on third downs. Morris had a steady diet of crossing routes that found the sweet spot and NC State missed 15 tackles per PFF.

Taylor had a 39-yard run to start the game, and then a 66-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to finish with 17 carries for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Morris also mixed in a 42-yard run on a bootleg.

NC State senior safety Jeremiah Johnson couldn’t make the tackle on East Carolina tight end Jayvontay Conner on 79-yard touchdown in the opener. Virginia went for it on fourth and one and NC State outside linebacker Kenny Soares lined up offsides, but Taylor made the play count by getting the first down and then breaking through Johnson’s tackle attempt for a 39-yard score.

On Taylor’s 66-yard score, sophomore cornerback Brian Nelson couldn’t get Taylor in the backfield and then Johnson took some false steps and couldn’t catch him. He had a 31.3 run defense grade from PFF.

The Wolfpacker’s game coverage

• How CJ Bailey’s confidence has added a new dimension to NC State’s offense after Virginia win
• NC State’s ‘grit’ appears after back-to-back one-possession wins to open 2025 campaign
• The Wolfpacker Show: Reflecting on NC State’s 35-31 win over Virginia
• By the numbers: Inside NC State’s non-conference win over Virginia
• NC State football snap counts, PFF grades and notes: Defense vs. Virginia
• NC State football snap counts, PFF grades and notes: Offense vs. Virginia
• NC State football report card: Grading the Wolfpack’s 35-31 win over Virginia
• What they’re saying after NC State’s non-conference win over Virginia
• NC State’s third-down defense showed signs of growth in Virginia win, but has more work to do
• NC State senior edge rusher Cian Slone with smart coverage instincts in win over Virginia
• NC State needed someone to step up. RB Hollywood Smothers answered the call in win over Virginia
• Offensive line, rushing attack takes over in NC State’s win
• Instant observations: NC State outlasts Virginia to improve to 2-0
• NC State downs Virginia with electric second-half performance