NC State
3-2 , 1-2
Virginia Tech
2-3 , 1-0
NC State Drops Back and Forth Affair to Virginia Tech
9/27/2025 11:47:00 PM | Football
Raleigh, N.C. – Down two points with the ball and only 1:32 left in the game, the Wolfpack was unable to drive down the field for a winning score after getting stopped on fourth down. NC State (3-2, 1-2) fell to Virginia Tech 23-21 on Saturday night from Carter-Finley Stadium, marking their second loss in as many weeks.
A close contest throughout, with six lead changes in the ball game. The Wolfpack looked for one final lead change after forcing a Hokie punt and getting the ball with no timeouts. With the ball on the NC State 44-yard line and fourth and one, CJ Bailey's pass to Justin Joly was broken up, securing the Virginia Tech victory.
The visitors were able to contain the Pack's offense to under 300 yards for the first time this season, and what had been an explosive NC State ground game was held to just 1.8 yards per carry, its lowest mark since September 7th of last year against Tennessee, and ended Hollywood Smothers' (Charlotte, N.C./W. Charlotte) 100-yard rushing streak at three games.
Bailey threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns on 76 percent completion despite taking five sacks that disrupted the offense's rhythm throughout the night. Terrell Anderson once again led NC State receivers, totaling 65 yards on four receptions, while Joly hauled in six catches for 60 yards.
Virginia Tech's 23 points were the lowest number the Wolfpack has allowed against a Power Four opponent this season. Linebacker Caden Fordham led the defense with 15 tackles and one for a loss to go along with the defensive end combo of Cian Slone and Sabastian Harsh combining for a pair of sacks.
Wolfpack punter Caden Noonkester flipped the field, totaling 259 yards, punting the ball, averaging 51.8 yards per punt. His 66-yard punt in the quarter was one yard shy of matching his career best. It is only the third time in his career he has had a punt of 60 or more yards, and first since 2023.
The Hokies had a successful day on the ground behind running back Terion Stewart's 174 yards on 15 carries, averaging 11.6 yards per rush.
Virginia Tech opened up the scoring on a 39-yard field goal after a good punt return to start the drive in NC State territory. The Pack would quickly respond with a four-yard Bailey touchdown pass to Dante Daniels on the following possession. The score came on Daniels' first catch of the season and his first grab since playing UNC in 2024 – a 14-yard reception that was also a touchdown.
The Hokies regained the lead early in the second quarter with an 11-yard pitch and catch to give them a three-point edge. The last score of the half came on a 32-yard Virginia Tech field goal to give them a 13-7 lead at the break.
The halftime deficit marks the fourth straight game that the Pack has trailed at the midway point.
The Wolfpack received the ball to start the half and capitalized as they marched 75 yards over five minutes to retake a 14-13 lead on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Bailey to Keenan Jackson for his second score of the season.
The back-and-forth would continue with the sides trading touchdowns on back-to-back drives. The Hokies would score on a two-play 89-yard touchdown drive fueled by an 85-yard dash from Stewart, followed by Duke Scott punching it in from the one-yard line for the first touchdown of his collegiate career.
Virginia Tech responded, retaking the lead on the next drive with 49 field goal off the foot of kicker John Love to cap off his perfect night and give the Hokies a 23-21 lead, which would hold to be the winning score.
NC State's loss moves the all-time series to 20-29-4. NC State will next face off against Campbell at home on Saturday, October 4th, at 2:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Stats
VTU 3, NCS 0
VTU - Love,John 39 yd field goal 5 plays, 19 yards, TOP 01:00
VTU 3, NCS 7
NCS - Daniels,Dante 4 yd pass from Bailey,CJ (Vinesett,Kanoah kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:13
VTU 10, NCS 7
VTU - Hawkins,Marcellous 11 yd pass from Drones,Kyron (Love,John kick) 10 plays, 62 yards, TOP 04:41
VTU 13, NCS 7
VTU - Love,John 32 yd field goal 11 plays, 77 yards, TOP 04:07
VTU 13, NCS 14
NCS - Jackson,Keenan 13 yd pass from Bailey,CJ (Vinesett,Kanoah kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:50
VTU 20, NCS 14
VTU - Seldon,Cameron 4 yd pass from Drones,Kyron (Love,John kick) 2 plays, 89 yards, TOP 00:44
VTU 20, NCS 21
NCS - Scott,Jayden "Duke" 1 yd run (Vinesett,Kanoah kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:22
VTU 23, NCS 21
VTU - Love,John 49 yd field goal 9 plays, 35 yards, TOP 04:20
