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CJ Bailey And Hollywood Smothers Power NC State Past Wake Forest In ACC Opener, 34-24

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Football

(BCSNN) — NC State quarterback CJ Bailey threw for three touchdowns and running back Hollywood Smothers rushed for a career-high 164 yards as the Wolfpack rallied from an early deficit to defeat Wake Forest 34–24 on Thursday night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.

The win marked NC State’s first 3–0 start since 2022 and its second straight victory in Winston-Salem, a feat the program hadn’t accomplished since 1995. Bailey completed 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards, including scoring strikes to Justin Joly and KJ Jackson in the second half. Smothers, who has now posted back-to-back 100-yard games, carried the ball 24 times and helped the Wolfpack control the tempo after trailing 24–17 at halftime.

“Before the game, their head coach said they had to be tougher than us,” Joly said. "And that’s exactly what we did and exactly what we wanted.”

Wake Forest opened the game with a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown from Chris Barnes and added another score on a 70-yard reception by Barnes that set up a short rushing touchdown from Demond Claiborne. But the Demon Deacons were held scoreless in the second half, managing just 59 total rushing yards — only four after the break — as NC State’s defense tightened.

Defensive end Isaiah Shirley delivered the game’s turning point late in the first quarter, intercepting Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford and returning it 41 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 14. Shirley’s pick-six was one of two turnovers forced by the Wolfpack, who also got standout performances from linebacker Caden Fordham and safety Ronnie Royal III - who also had a key interception.

“I love winning. And to quote Bull Durham, ‘It’s, like, better than losing,’” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said. “It’s a great feeling, man. That’s what we do this for.”

Ashford finished 21-of-35 for 252 yards and two interceptions, while Claiborne was limited to 35 yards on 12 carries. Wake Forest converted just 6 of 15 third downs, missing its final nine attempts after starting 6-for-6. Head coach Dave Clawson did not speak postgame, but earlier in the week emphasized the need to contain Bailey and Smothers — a task his defense couldn’t manage.

NC State returns home next Saturday to host Syracuse, while Wake Forest travels to Boston College looking to rebound from its first loss of the season.