What they’re saying after NC State’s non-conference win over Virginia

NC State completed its first come-from-behind win as it downed Virginia 35-31 in a non-conference game Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium after it trailed by 10 at halftime. 

Here is what those who covered the game, including TheWolfpacker.com, are saying about the Pack’s first victory of the fall.

Noah Fleischman, The Wolfpacker — NC State needed someone to step up. RB Hollywood Smothers answered the call in win over Virginia

“As NC State running back Hollywood Smothers walked up to the podium for his postgame press conference, linebacker Sean Brown pretended to give the standout tailback a shower with his water bottle. 

It was a jubilant moment, but one that described what Smothers meant to the Wolfpack in its 35-31 win over Virginia on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium. NC State needed someone — anyone — to help set the tone in the second half, and it was Smothers who answered the call. 

The elusive ball carrier was the star of the show when the Wolfpack needed him most. NC State, which struggled to assert itself in the third quarter of its season-opening win over East Carolina last Thursday, didn’t have that issue this time around as Smothers appeared to put the unit on his back.

Smothers, who is always joyful, earned his keep in the final 30 minutes of action against the Cavaliers. He finished the afternoon with a career-best 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 17 attempts — powered by 12 carries for 115 yards and the scores in the second half alone.”

Jacey Zembal, The Wolfpacker — Offensive line, rushing attack takes over in NC State’s win

“The NC State offensive line paved the way in the second half to get the win.

The Wolfpack running game and in particular Daylan “Hollywood” Smothers put the offense on its back to pull out the crucial 35-31 win over Virginia on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The game wasn’t “must-win” for NC State, but for the Wolfpack to have a successful season, defeating a rebuilding Virginia squad was a must.

For the first three quarters, the UVa cast of transfers was making the NC State defense suffer, whether running the football or passing it, especially on third/fourth downs (a combined 14 of 21). North Carolina Central running back transfer J’Mari Taylor ripped off a 66-yard and Virginia led 31-28 with 5:11 left in the third quarter.

The offense responded to the adversity and methodically went down the field, with Smother rushing for a nine-yard touchdown to give the Wolfpack a 35-31 lead with 45 seconds left in the third quarter, and the defense took over from there.”

Jadyn Watson-Fisher, News & Observer — What we learned from NC State football’s thrilling win over Virginia

“N.C. State never believes it’s going to lose a game until it hears the final horn. If there’s time on the clock, there’s still time for a win. This has been especially true in its series against Virginia. 

Facing a 10-point halftime deficit and a potential Virginia game-winning touchdown, the Wolfpack channeled that belief into a Week 2 win over its longtime foe.

N.C. State defeated Virginia, 35-31, at home Saturday in a nonconference game, and moved to 4-0 over the Cavaliers in the Dave Doeren era. 

“We never, never quit. Jimmy V taught us that a long time ago,” Doeren said during his postgame television interview, referencing the late N.C. State men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano. “I’m proud of our guys.

Mitchell Northam, Associated Press — Bailey, Smothers lead N.C. State comeback against Virginia, 35-31

“RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CJ Bailey rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another as North Carolina State defeated visiting Virginia 35-31 on Saturday in a non-league clash between two Atlantic Coast Conference teams.

Bailey, the sophomore quarterback for the Wolfpack (2-0), completed 16-of-22 passes for 200 yards and rushed for 44 yards on six carries. N.C. State’s offense was also bolstered by Hollywood Smothers, who rumbled for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“It was great to see Hollywood get in the mix and do a lot for this team. He’s one of our important players on offense and we need him for the rest of the year,” Bailey said. “We just knew we had to get physical. The offensive line created lanes and holes for Hollywood. I just credit the offensive line for everything, pass protection and run blocking, they did it all.”

Virginia (1-1) was powered by J’Mari Taylor’s 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Chandler Morris completed 30-of-43 passes for 257 yards and a score.”

Brad Franklin, CavsCorner — Postgame Takeaways: Cavaliers come up just short at NCSU

“UVa began the road portion of its 2025 season with a 35-31 loss at NC State on Saturday, in a game that saw the Wahoos come down late with a chance to win only for an interception in the end zone to seal the loss.

Following each game this season, we’re going to break down five takeaways. So let’s dive into the loss to the Wolfpack.

1. UVa needed to overcome too many negative plays.

For a while, the Wahoos did what they needed. They converted a slew of 3rd and longs after drops and penalties. They came through with enough to keep moving the sticks. 

But in the second half, they kept putting themselves in a position where it wasn’t quite enough. And if there’s one theme for a four-point loss that ended with a late pick in the end zone, one what otherwise looked like the go-ahead drive, “wasn’t quite enough” seemed to tell the story.”

Greg Madia, The Daily Progress — Virginia football slips in tight loss at NC State as RBs Taylor, Smothers battle until end

“RALEIGH, N.C. — Virginia had turned to running back J’Mari Taylor repeatedly when it needed a yard on Saturday afternoon, and over and over again, he came through.

So why not, once more inside the red zone on fourth-and-1 with the game on the line?

He’d been so steady, so shifty and extremely difficult to tackle. He had only proven to be trustworthy.

“The key is just to get a first down. There ain’t no dancing in the backfield,” Taylor said. “You’ve just got to get a first down.””