RALEIGH, N.C. (AP/WNCN) – For the second consecutive game, N.C. State’s defense helped the team seal a tightly contested win.
Cian Slone stopped Virginia’s final drive with an interception in the end zone, helping the Wolfpack escape with a 35-31 win Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium.
N.C. State (2-0) also stopped the Cavaliers on fourth down from the Wolfpack’s 8-yard line earlier in the fourth quarter.
CJ Bailey rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another during a non-league clash between two Atlantic Coast Conference teams.
Bailey, the sophomore quarterback for the Wolfpack, 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 ahead for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
N.C. State trailed at the half, but rallied with 21 points in the third quarter to retake the lead. The defenses took over in the fourth quarter, as no points were scored.
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.
N.C. State’s offense sprang to life in the second half, thanks to two rushing touchdowns from Smothers and one by Bailey.
The Wolfpack held the Cavaliers scoreless in the final frame, and got a crucial stop on fourth-and-1 on the 8-yard line with 6:39 to play, paving the way for N.C. State to drain more than four minutes off the clock.
The win was sealed when N.C. State’s Cian Slone intercepted a desperate throw by Morris in the end zone.
The Takeaway
NC State: Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren is now 4-0 all-time against the Cavaliers. The victory for the Wolfpack marks the first time since 2014 that they’ve started a season 2-0 with both wins coming against FBS opponents.
Virginia: The Cavaliers’ offense was running efficiently early on as they converted 10 of their first 13 third down tries on their way to building a 10-point advantage. From there though, Virginia found success just three times on six third-down attempts. The Cavaliers have not beaten N.C. State since 2012.
Up Next
NC State: The Wolfpack travel to rival Wake Forest on Thursday.
Virginia: William & Mary visits the Cavaliers next Saturday.