Notes From NC State’s Explosive Win Over Stanford on Homecoming

NC State played their first complete game of the 2024 football season today, defeating Stanford 59-28. Here are some notes:

• True Freshman Quarterback CJ Bailey had the best game of his young career, completing 18 of his 20 passes for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns (career high). His Passing Efficiency Rating was an insane 237.8. Bailey completed his final 15 passes.
• For the first time since 2021, NC State had two separate Running Backs run for 100+ yards. Redshirt Senior Jordan Waters had 115 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 5 carries. He had a 94-yard touchdown run, which was the 2nd longest touchdown run in school history. Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers set career high in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, running the ball 16 times for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Sophomore Wide Receiver Kevin Concepcion has always liked scoring touchdowns in pairs, and he did it today for the first time since the season opener. KC had a rushing touchdown and a touchdown reception. He finished the game with 4 receptions for 30 yards and 3 carries for 16 yards.
• Junior Tight End Justin Joly led NC State in receiving yards for the 2nd straight game, and the 4th time this season. He finished the day with 4 receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.
• Junior Wide Receiver Wesley Grimes had 65 yards receiving (4 catches), which is the most he’s had in an NC State uniform. The 4 receptions also tied a season high.
• When the Wolfpack had their offensive starters in, they never punted or turned the ball over.
• Senior Defensive End Davin Vann had a strip sack that forced a fumble. With 5 forced fumbles, Vann currently leads the nation. Vann now has 12 tackles for loss, which is a new career high, and 5.5 sacks, which ties a career high.
• Redshirt Senior Collin Smith served as the Wolfpack’s place kicker today instead of Redshirt Sophomore Kanoah Vinesett. Smith connected on his 1 field goal attempt from 33-yards.
• True Freshman Keenan Jackson had a breakout day, setting new career highs in receptions (3) and receiving yards (48). He also caught his 2nd touchdown of the season.
• The Wolfpack’s 527 yards of Total Offense is the most on the year, and the 281 Rushing Yards was a season high as well.
  • This was the most Total Yards of Offense since Week 2 of the 2022 season, when NC State tallied 538 yards against Charleston Southern.
  • The 281 Rushing Yards is the most since Week 1 of the 2021 football season, when the Wolfpack rushed for 293 yards against South Florida.
• NC State won the turnover battle 2:1.
• The Wolfpack’s 59 points is the most ever scored against an ACC opponent.