NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt moved to 3-0 on the season following a 35-31 victory over NC State, completing a dramatic second-half comeback that culminated in a defensive touchdown with only one second remaining on the clock. The win marks a significant milestone for the Commodores as they prepare to open Southeastern Conference (SEC) play next week.
A Challenging Start
The game began poorly for the home team, as Vanderbilt Commodores On SI reported that NC State dominated the early portions of the contest. The Wolfpack opened with an 82-yard scoring drive capped by a run from backup quarterback Will Wilson, who exploited a missed tackle to reach the end zone. By the end of the first quarter, NC State had extended its lead to 14-0 following a 54-yard drive, and a subsequent field goal pushed the deficit to 17-0.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis, a five-star freshman, struggled with ball security early on, including a fumble in Wolfpack territory. However, the Commodores broke their scoring drought before halftime with a touchdown pass from Curtis to wide receiver Junior Sherrill, providing a glimmer of momentum heading into the break.
Second-Half Surge and Late-Game Drama
NC State maintained control early in the second half, extending its lead to 24-7 following a passing touchdown by Bailey. The Commodores responded with a series of sustained offensive drives, including a 33-yard completion to Tristen Brown that set up a rushing touchdown for MK Young. Despite Vanderbilt cutting the lead to 24-21, NC State answered with another scoring drive to keep the game out of reach.
The turning point occurred in the final minutes. With 6:18 remaining, Curtis found Sherrill for his second touchdown of the day, narrowing the gap to 31-28. A late interception by the Wolfpack appeared to seal the game for the visitors, but the situation reversed in the final seconds. With six seconds left, NC State was pinned near its own goal line. When Bailey took the snap, Vanderbilt EDGE Miles Capers forced a fumble, and cornerback Cayden Daniels recovered the ball in the end zone for the game-winning score.
Looking Ahead
With an undefeated 3-0 record, Vanderbilt now turns its attention to Auburn for the start of SEC play. The program enters this high-stakes stretch of the schedule with significant momentum from its ability to overcome early-game deficits.