Pack Enjoys Upset of 8th Ranked Georgia Tech

The word of the week for NC State football was posted in various places in the football facility for every player, coach, and support staff member to see last week.

LOYALTY

Heading into the contest with eighth-ranked Georgia Tech, the Pack had lost four of its last five games. Sometimes, when times get tough, the circle of believers can shrink. Who's going to fight and who's going to fold?

In practices last week, players and coaches saw that the injury bug had claimed two offensive stars. The ACC's leading rusher, Hollywood Smothers and the Pack's leading receiver, Justin Joly were not going to be able to suit up, while two starters on the offensive line were also banged up.

During his Monday press availability, head coach Dave Doeren referenced the last four games on the schedule with a message that stuck: "I always look at what you have instead of what you don't."

Against Georgia Tech, the Pack wouldn't have Smothers, but they did have Duke Scott.

The redshirt freshman grew up about 25 miles from the Georgia Tech campus, and he torched the Jackets on Saturday night. With a blend of bulldozing runs and open field speed, Scott had a career-high 196 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. He added 11 yards in receptions to push his game total to 207 yards.

"I knew I had to come with a different mindset," Scott said of his first start. "I knew I was going to be physical. I was going to run as hard as I possibly could. I had a chip on my shoulder; I was doing it for Hollywood."

"When Hollywood went down, [Duke] took it upon himself to have a great day to show the world who he is, and I'm proud of him," CJ Bailey said.

The Pack didn't have Joly, but they did have a combination of Cody Hardy and Dante Daniels.

The duo combined for five catches for 67 yards. Hardy had a touchdown grab and fumble recovery in the end zone for his second score.

"It was a next-man-up mentality as well," Bailey continued. "We do a good job of preparing our guys for prime time. Cody and Dante came in, they said, 'Our tight end is down. Let's go work for him.' I trusted those guys."

Bailey may have played the best game of his career. He connected on 24 of 32 passes for 340 yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing score.

His pocket presence was elite. On a third and 20, Bailey scrambled to his right and unleashed a dart to Terrell Anderson for a 51-yard pickup.

Facing third and 6 in the third quarter, Bailey used a side-step to buy some time before finding a wide-open Teddy Hoffmann for a 55-yard score.

Four Pack defenders registered double-digit tackles. Asaad Brown, Jr and Cian Slone had 10, Kenny Soares, Jr had 14 and captain Caden Fordham tied his career high with 15.

"We just came out there and played fast and free," Fordham said. "That's what I told the guys before the game: 'We can't play tentatively. We've got to go play fast, and whatever you see, believe in it, go attack.'"

"We needed solutions, and that's what I was asking for: for each guy to be the solution in whatever his role may be on our team," Doeren said.

The result was a 48-36 win over eighth -ranked Georgia Tech, the highest ranked win since 2012. The night ended with a mass of Wolfpack fans celebrating with players and coaches on the field.

The circle of believers had grown.

Next Event

Team Stats

CJ Bailey

Players Mentioned

Terrell Anderson

CJ Bailey

Dante Daniels

Caden Fordham

Cody Hardy

Teddy Hoffmann

Justin Joly

Cian Slone

Hollywood Smothers