North Carolina State University Athletics
13-Point Fourth Quarter Comeback Gives NC State First Conference Victory of the Season
10/19/2024 7:32:00 PM | Football
BERKLEY, Ca. – NC State heads back to Raleigh from the West Coast with their first conference victory after defeating Cal 24-23 Saturday afternoon at California Memorial Stadium.
After being down 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3) scored 14 unanswered points to take the lead and hold on to win as Cal missed a 28-yard field goal with 1:37 left in the game.
It is the largest fourth-quarter comeback since October 6th, 2012, against No. 3 Florida State when the Pack scored 14 in the fourth quarter in that game to win 17-16.
The game-winning score came from Hollywood Smothers, who found space for a catch and run of 41 yards into the endzone to give the Wolfpack a 24-23 lead late in the fourth.
Quarterback CJ Bailey continues to get more and more comfortable each week as he went 25-36 for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Bailey led the game-winning drive, connecting with three different receivers before finding Smothers.
Smothers got it done rushing and receiving with 25 yards rushing and 87 yards receiving. Justin Joly continued to make big catches with four receptions for 95 yards and a long of 31. KC Concepcion scored a rushing touchdown but also added 53 receiving yards.
The Wolfpack took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter thanks to a Concepcion rushing touchdown after taking the direct snap. It was Concepcion's fifth touchdown of the season and his first score in three weeks.
Bishop Fitzgerald forced a fumble with Isiah Crowell, who started his first career game. He recovered the loose ball and returned it 13 yards, setting the Pack up for the score.
After NC State took the lead, Cal responded with two field goals before the first half expired to take a 13-10 lead at halftime. The Golden Bears' defense made it difficult for the Wolfpack offense to find any rhythm, as Cal recorded four sacks and eight tackles for a loss in the first half.
The Wolfpack received the second-half kickoff, but their opening drive was only two plays long. A Noah Rogers Fumble gave the ball back to the home team, who converted their third straight field goal shortly after.
With Cal up two scores, the Wolfpack cut the deficit to seven as Decari Collins scored his first touchdown of the season from one yard out to make it 24-17.
The Wolfpack defense returned the ball to the offense, forcing a three-out immediately after. This included sacks from Travali Price and Davin Vann. Devon Marshall totaled eight tackles, and the team had six tackles for a loss.
With the Golden Bears getting one more chance to go down the field and attempt a field goal for the win, the defense didn't allow Cal to cross midfield, forcing a three-and-out and getting the ball to seal the victory.
The Wolfpack now enters the bye week before returning to Carter-Finley Stadium on November 2nd to take on Stanford.
After being down 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3) scored 14 unanswered points to take the lead and hold on to win as Cal missed a 28-yard field goal with 1:37 left in the game.
It is the largest fourth-quarter comeback since October 6th, 2012, against No. 3 Florida State when the Pack scored 14 in the fourth quarter in that game to win 17-16.
The game-winning score came from Hollywood Smothers, who found space for a catch and run of 41 yards into the endzone to give the Wolfpack a 24-23 lead late in the fourth.
Quarterback CJ Bailey continues to get more and more comfortable each week as he went 25-36 for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Bailey led the game-winning drive, connecting with three different receivers before finding Smothers.
Smothers got it done rushing and receiving with 25 yards rushing and 87 yards receiving. Justin Joly continued to make big catches with four receptions for 95 yards and a long of 31. KC Concepcion scored a rushing touchdown but also added 53 receiving yards.
The Wolfpack took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter thanks to a Concepcion rushing touchdown after taking the direct snap. It was Concepcion's fifth touchdown of the season and his first score in three weeks.
Bishop Fitzgerald forced a fumble with Isiah Crowell, who started his first career game. He recovered the loose ball and returned it 13 yards, setting the Pack up for the score.
After NC State took the lead, Cal responded with two field goals before the first half expired to take a 13-10 lead at halftime. The Golden Bears' defense made it difficult for the Wolfpack offense to find any rhythm, as Cal recorded four sacks and eight tackles for a loss in the first half.
The Wolfpack received the second-half kickoff, but their opening drive was only two plays long. A Noah Rogers Fumble gave the ball back to the home team, who converted their third straight field goal shortly after.
With Cal up two scores, the Wolfpack cut the deficit to seven as Decari Collins scored his first touchdown of the season from one yard out to make it 24-17.
The Wolfpack defense returned the ball to the offense, forcing a three-out immediately after. This included sacks from Travali Price and Davin Vann. Devon Marshall totaled eight tackles, and the team had six tackles for a loss.
With the Golden Bears getting one more chance to go down the field and attempt a field goal for the win, the defense didn't allow Cal to cross midfield, forcing a three-and-out and getting the ball to seal the victory.
The Wolfpack now enters the bye week before returning to Carter-Finley Stadium on November 2nd to take on Stanford.
Players Mentioned
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DE
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