North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Responds and Rallies
9/15/2024 12:51:00 PM | Football
The word "respond" was used quite a bit last week after the Wolfpack suffered its first loss of the season to Tennessee. After trailing Louisiana Tech by 11 at halftime, on Saturday, head coach Dave Doeren found out that his 2024 team knows the meaning of the word.
The halftime message Doeren to his team? "Quit thinking about the scoreboard. Think about playing really physical and together. If you do that, we're going to win."
The defense provided an immediate spark with their second pick-six in as many weeks. Davin Vann played a role in both, hitting the quarterback's arm as he attempted to pass. Aydan White housed it against Tennessee but was sitting out the LaTech game with an injury. This time, DK Kaufman stepped up - literally - taking it back 33 yards for a momentum-shifting touchdown.
The very next possession, the defense made quick work with a three and out, giving the ball back to the Pack and true freshman quarterback CJ Bailey.
The 6-6 rookie entered the game in the second quarter for the injured Grayson McCall. He admitted that he had a few jitters, which may have contributed to an interception on his third pass.Â
Halftime was spent figuring out the plays that fit Bailey and the offensive approach to the last two quarters.  What he had worked on in spring ball and in fall camp was now going to be put to the test.Â
"That was the main thing: step in and be that guy for the team," Bailey said following the game. "You're in the position, act like you're here before."
"We had confidence in him," receiver Justin Joly explained. Joly caught the longest pass from Bailey, a 34-yarder.
Down three in the third quarter, Bailey and the Wolfpack went on a 13 play, 76-yard drive that chewed up over 8 minutes on the clock. During that drive, Bailey connected on all seven of his passes for 62 yards.Â
The first completion was a 23-yarder to Dacari Collins. The final completion was a third-down toss of 14 yards to KC Concepcion who took it to the 12. Kendrick Raphael finished the drive with a three-yard score.Â
Bailey pumped his fist as the Wolfpack took a 20-17 lead, and the team never looked back.
On the day, Bailey was 13 of 20 for 156 yards in the air. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry on the ground, including his first college touchdown.Â
The 1-yard rush to the end zone capped a 24-3 run and ended the scoring in favor of the Wolfpack, 30-20.
"He just went out there and played the game," Doeren said about the freshman QB. "Whether he was throwing the football or scrambling, throwing it away, rushing for some tough yards at times to extend the chains. He did a really good job just managing it, playing fast, and he looked really poised."
CJ Bailey walked off the field a winner, embraced by the injured quarterback he replaced. "I'm proud of you," McCall said to Bailey.Â
That's the best response a teammate could deliver and receive.Â
