NC State fumbles away game in last-second Vandy stunner

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  Max OlsonSep 19, 2026, 05:26 PM ET

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  • Covers the Big 12
  • Joined ESPN in 2012
  • Graduate of the University of Nebraska

The Vanderbilt Commodores pulled off their own Music City Miracle on Saturday with a stunning 35-31, last-second comeback victory over NC State.

NC State held a 31-28 lead on the road with 6 seconds remaining and faced a fourth down while backed up to its own 5-yard line. Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey attempted to secure the win by scrambling and running out the clock before taking a safety.

As three Vanderbilt defenders hit Bailey in the end zone, however, pass rusher Miles Capers punched the ball out and cornerback Cayden Daniels recovered the fumble for the go-ahead touchdown.

"We talk about [defending] every blade of grass on defense, and literally that's every blade of grass," Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said.

The fumble recovery was reviewed and upheld, with officials putting 1 second back on the clock. Vanderbilt kicked its extra point and NC State got one more play from its 25-yard line after the ensuing kickoff was a touchback. The Wolfpack attempted a series of desperate laterals and Vanderbilt recovered a fumble to complete its shocking rally.

"It's a shame it came down to that play," NC State coach Dave Doeren told reporters. "That should never happen. Obviously a play that breaks your heart. But I was proud of how our guys played for 59 minutes and 59 seconds."

Entering Saturday, teams were 1,046-1 over the last 20 seasons when leading with the ball in the final 10 seconds of regulation, according to ESPN Research. The only loss was Michigan's "trouble with the snap" against Michigan State on Oct. 17, 2015.

The Commodores faced a 24-7 deficit in the third quarter before rallying with three consecutive touchdown drives. Vanderbilt was driving with a chance to tie or win the game when NC State safety Brody Barnhardt intercepted Vanderbilt freshman quarterback Jared Curtis at NC State's 2-yard line with 1:04 remaining.

Vanderbilt still had two timeouts, and NC State called three rushing plays with backup quarterback Will Wilson that gained 7 yards before taking a delay of game penalty to stop the clock at 6 seconds. Doeren opted to go for it on fourth-and-7 rather than risk losing on a blocked punt and sent Bailey back in the game.

"It's just a play where you roll out and you don't get tackled, you try to burn as much time as you can and then fall to the ground and protect the football," Doeren said. "He got hit and he didn't protect the football."

Bailey, a third-year starter for the Wolfpack, threw for 275 yards on 25-of-37 passing and three touchdowns in a game that NC State's offense controlled up until the final minutes.

"We had enough at the end there to get it close and to put pressure on them, and it was going to take every second of the clock," Lea said. "I'm proud of the resilience of my team. We've got to play better football."

Curtis threw for 277 yards and rushed for a team-high 64 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the former five-star recruit's first career start with the Commodores.