NC State football flipped the script on its turbulent season Saturday night, delivering one of the program’s biggest wins in years with a 48-36 upset of No. 8 Georgia Tech at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack piled up 583 yards of total offense and earned NC Football News’ Team of the Week honors after shocking an unbeaten Yellow Jackets team that has been eyeing an ACC championship and College Football Playoff berth.
Rising When It Matters Most
The Wolfpack entered Homecoming under pressure — 4-4 overall, 1-3 in the ACC, and facing mounting dark clouds after blowout losses to Pitt and Notre Dame. But head coach Dave Doeren, now in his 13th season, once again guided his team to a signature moment when things looked bleak within the program.
Saturday’s win marked NC State’s first victory over a top-10 opponent since 2021, when it stunned No. 9 Clemson in double overtime.
Payback, More Than Two Decades Later
Saturday’s pleasing win turned the tables on a similar moment when Georgia Tech foiled an unbeatenNC State team in 2002. The ’02 Wolfpack entered a showdown the Jackets holding a 9-0 record and in the top 10, but got knocked off 24-17.
This time, the Wolfpack returned the favor, snapping Tech’s perfect 8-0 start and creating chaos at the top of the ACC, where no clear-cut favorite has emerged this late in the season.
The Wreckoning is complete. The ‘02 debt has been paid. The Law of the Wolf remains unbeaten pic.twitter.com/9TqnNYWZB3 — Joe Giglio (@giglio_OG) November 2, 2025
Short-Handed but Spectacular
Playing without top rusher Hollywood Smothers and standout tight end Justin Joly, NC State found new heroes. Running back Duke Scott delivered a breakout performance with 196 yards on the ground, including a 69-yard burst that set up a touchdown.
Quarterback CJ Bailey kept pace with Georgia Tech’s Heisman hopeful Haynes King, completing 24 of 32 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. King did have 408 passing yards and 103 on the ground with three total TDs. But Bailey supercharged an offense that outscored its visitors.
Noah Rodgers hauled in seven receptions for 72 yards, while Teddy Hoffman caught a 55-yard touchdown pass that extended the lead to 38-23. The defense stepped up with career nights from Caden Fordham (15 tackles, INT) and Kenny Soars Jr. (14 tackles).
Finishing Drives, Finishing the Job
The Wolfpack were nearly perfect in critical situations, converting 7-of-11 third-downs and scoring on all six red-zone trips. The win reignited bowl hopes and reminded ACC fans that NC State, under the lights at Carter-Finley, can still rise to the moment. NCSU is the only team to beat both Georgia Tech and Virginia this season.
Still thinking about last night#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/8MOIjhXLr2
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 2, 2025
Honorable Mention Team of the Week
Duke 46, Clemson 45
Darian Mensah threw four TD passes, and the Blue Devils added to Dabo Swinney’s worst season with the Tigers. Sahmir Hagans caught a 2-point conversion pass from Mensah for the winning point with 40 seconds left.
Western Carolina 35, Chattanooga 28
The Catamounts won for the sixth time in a row, the longest active win streak in the state. James Tyre caught three of Taron Dickens’ four touchdown passes, all in the second half. Cam’ Ron Dabney intercepted a pass near the goal line in the final minute to seal it.
Johnson C. Smith 17, Fayetteville State 14
After surrendering a 10-0 lead in the fourth quarter, the Golden Bulls responded with a 69-yard game-winning touchdown march in the final 3:22. Bobby Smith bulldozed his way into the end zone from the 6-yard-line with 13 ticks left. JCSU improved to 8-1, the best record in North Carolina college football, and kept CIAA and D2 playoff hopes alive.
Wingate 38, Lenoir-Rhyne 37 (OT)
The Bulldogs snuffed a two-point conversion attempt in overtime to prevail in a battle of the past two NC Football News’ Fabulous 15 champions. The victory keeps Wingate in the D2 playoff conversation.
