Vanderbilt defeats NC State 35-31 after late safety fumble

Vanderbilt secured a 35-31 victory over NC State in Nashville after a forced fumble on an intentional safety gave the Commodores a final touchdown with one second remaining. With the Wolfpack leading 31-28 and only seconds left, head coach Dave Doeren called for an intentional safety to avoid a punt risk. Quarterback C.J. Bailey took the snap in the end zone and attempted to run out the clock, but Vanderbilt defender Miles Capers forced a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Cayden Daniels in the end zone, resulting in a go-ahead score.

Doeren said the play was intended to protect the ball and avoid contact. > "It was supposed to be a play where you roll out and not get hit. Plan was just to take a safety and protect the football. We made enough plays for 59:59 of this game."

The win gave Vanderbilt its first lead of the game after trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half. The Commodores improved to 3-0 overall, while NC State fell to 1-2.

NC State had built a 31-28 lead late in the fourth quarter after a series of long drives that failed to consume much time, allowing Vanderbilt to mount a comeback. Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns, while NC State limited him to 72 yards in the first half before conceding the bulk of his production in the second.