What they’re saying after NC State’s win over Stanford

NC State had not won back-to-back games going into its ninth contest of the season with Stanford in town. In the first-ever meeting between the two squads, the Wolfpack appeared to unlock a new gear. 

The Pack knocked off the Cardinal 59-28 on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium. Here is what those who covered the game are saying about the Pack’s fifth victory of the season.

Ethan McDowell, The Wolfpacker — Column: NC State’s youthful offense is playing inspired football, enjoy it

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey does not feel like a freshman anymore. He spent his first 7 games in a Wolfpack uniform taking steady, noticeable steps forward going into the bye week before an explosive performance versus Stanford.

He showed up against the Cardinal ready to show what he is capable of after a mere four starts. Bailey is ready to be the face of this program. And apparently, the entire offense was ready to make similar strides. 

The quarterback racked up 234 passing yards, completing his final 14 passes of the game while connecting on 3 touchdown throws. NC State found the end zone 8 times and finished the game with 527 yards of offense. 

Wolfpack freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores accounted for 5 of those scores and 248 of the team’s rushing and receiving yards. NC State’s offense is growing up in front of the fanbase’s eyes. 

“It bodes well for the future of the program when your younger guys are able, not only just to get in, but to get better and better,” head coach Dave Doeren said after the game. 

Noah Fleischman, The Wolfpacker — NC State’s rushing attack breaks out in dominant win over Stanford

After NC State came out of its first of two open weeks going into its matchup with Stanford, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren admitted the team’s run game wasn’t where he wanted it to be. The Pack averaged just 106.4 yards per game on the ground, despite having a pair of backs averaging 4.8 yards or more per attempt. 

The Wolfpack’s issue remained in tackles for a loss allowed. NC State had too many runs fail in the backfield. That needed to change, and the open week appeared to be where the Pack looked deeper at its rushing attack. 

When NC State emerged from its week off, the team looked dramatically different. The offensive line moved Stanford with a purpose, opening holes for the running backs that a car could drive through. And that helped pace the Wolfpack to a 281-yard rushing performance in its 59-28 win over the Cardinal on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium. 

“We needed that,” Doeren said postgame. “We’ve got talented backs and it’s just been different guys at different times. … To run the football, it takes everybody doing their job. It’s five as one: five offensive linemen playing with one heartbeat. Those guys did a great job today.”

Jadyn Watson-Fisher, News & Observer — Just what it needed: Three takeaways from N.C. State’s big homecoming win over Stanford

Stanford cornerback Brandon Nicholson lay on the grass at Carter-Finley Stadium, his arms outstretched. Nicholson attempted to stop NC State running back Jordan Waters short of the goal line, but it was too late. 

Touchdown, Wolfpack. 

Waters’ 94-yard run was the second-longest rush in NC State history and put his team up 31 points in the third quarter. It also epitomized Saturday’s game: A lot of offense, and times when the defense from both teams fell short. 

NC State defeated first-year league opponent Stanford, 59-28, for its second consecutive win and the first 50-point performance since defeating Charleston Southern, 55-3, on Sept. 10, 2022.

“It means a lot to see a win on our record,” quarterback CJ Bailey said. “That 59 is huge. I was telling those guys, we were up 31 to 21, I said, ‘How does 60 points sound? Let’s go for 60.’ We fell short of 60, but I love that.”

The Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3 ACC) couldn’t have done it without several clutch performances.

Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville Observer — ‘I love NC State to death’: Payton Wilson becomes part of Wolfpack’s Ring of Honor

RALEIGH — Payton Wilson couldn’t help himself Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium. 

An all-time great for N.C. State football as the 13th member of the Wolfpack to join the Ring of Honor, the 24-year-old Wilson had to bring the intensity one more time as he walked on the field. 

Between quarters in the first half of the Wolfpack’s homecoming game against Stanford, as N.C. State revealed Wilson’s name among the previous 12 honorees in the Ring of Honor, the linebacker started talking to the Cardinal defense.

“I can’t really help myself sometimes. I started talking junk to Stanford. I love N.C. State to death; it’s what I was born and bred,” Wilson said. 

“The culture that we’ve built here and how much we’ve put into it, it means a lot to me when these guys play. It was a super-cool moment.”

Nate Ryan, Associated Press — N.C. State blasts Stanford 59-28 behind explosive offense led by CJ Bailey

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Hollywood Smothers and Jordan Waters each rushed for two touchdowns and quarterback CJ Bailey added three more while being nearly perfect through the air as North Carolina State crushed Stanford 59-28 to hand the Cardinal their sixth consecutive loss.

The Wolfpack (2-3 ACC, 5-4) snapped a two-game home losing streak with an overpowering quick-strike start to the second half. North Carolina State scored three touchdowns on four plays, capped by Waters’ 94-yard run that was the second-longest rushing TD in school history.

“Today things clicked and that’s what efficiency looks like,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. “That’s what it looks like to stack plays and not beat yourself when you have good players. If you can stay on the field and stay ahead of the change, good things happen. I always say explosive plays lead to big scores, and we were able to have some huge explosive plays.”

Bailey, who took over the starting job in midseason after Grayson McCall retired because of head injuries, completed 18 of 20 passes for 234 yards. The freshman from Miami showed a special touch with the long ball, connecting on three passes of more than 25 yards while compiling a 237.8 QB rating before exiting early in the fourth quarter.