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Quick Hits from NC State’s 31-7 Victory Over Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl

Matthew Bradham

Published

6 months ago

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NC State improved to 8-5 to finish the season, defeating Memphis 31-7 in the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl down in Tampa, Florida today. Here are my Quick Hits.

Box Score

  • Sophomore Quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 221 yards and and 2 touchdowns, with a Passing Efficiency Rating 156.7.
    • Bailey finished with 3,105 passing yards on the year, becoming the 7th player in NC State history to throw for 3,000+ yards.
    • Bailey’s 3,105 passing yards this season rank 9th all-time in a single season in school history.
  • Redshirt Sophomore Hollywood Smothers’ agent confirmed his client would be entering the Transfer Portal yesterday. I made the argument the exit of Smothers might be a net positive for NC State in 2026.
    • One of those reasons was because of the potential of Redshirt Freshman Duke Scott.
      • Scott got the start today, and gave a glimpse of the future, rushing for 108 yards against Memphis, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
  • Bailey was generous today, distributing the ball to 10 different receivers.
  • NC State put 31 points on the board in the first half, but failed to score in the second half.
    • With that being said, the Tigers didn’t score any points in the 2nd half, after scoring 7 points in the 1st half.
    • As a result, the 2nd half was rather uneventful.
  • The Wolfpack held Memphis to 303 yards of total offense.
    • For context, the Tigers entered the game averaging 420.7 yards of Total Offense per game.
  • Bailey finished the season with 25 passing touchdowns, which is tied for the 7th most in a single season in NC State history.
  • Redshirt Senior Linebacker Caden Fordham racked up 13 tackles against Memphis today, finishing the season with 143 tackles.
    • Fordham’s 143 tackles are the most tackles in a single season since 2012, when Earl Wolff compiled 145 tackles.
  • NC State was +2 in Turnover Margin.
  • Memphis won the Time of Possession battle by 7 minutes.
  • After losing to Pitt 53-34 back on October 25th, NC State was sitting with a record of 4-4.
    • The Wolfpack showed grit, winning 4 of 5 to close the season.
  • NC State snapped a 5-game bowl losing streak today.
  • The Wolfpack easily covered the Spread today, and the Total went Under.

 

 

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