Tobacco Road tussle: the Deacs start fast, but the Wolfpack pulls away to hand them their first loss of the season (34-24)

Preview: NC State Wolfpack (2-0, 1-0) vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-0, 0-0)

September 11th is already a significant day given what took place 24 years ago in New York City.

And while not on the same scale, with a 7:30pm EST kickoff at Allegacy Stadium, two Tobacco Road rivals get ready to tussle under the bright lights (as the game is nationally televised via ESPN).

The visiting NC State Wolfpack come in undefeated and having won in Winston-Salem the last time they played here (in 2023), but by the same token, have lost 8 of their last 10 games played here. Coming off two wins by a combined 11 points, including last week's ACC opener against Virginia (35-31), quarterback CJ Bailey (518 passing yards/70.2 completion percentage/2 touchdowns and 1 interception) leads an offense averaging 29.5 points per game along with a total offense averaging 419.5 yards per game. Complimented by running back Hollywood Smothers (216 rushing yards/5.5 yards per carry/3 rushing touchdowns) and big-play receiver Wesley Grimes (154 receiving yards/26.7 yards per reception), the Pack is facing its toughest defense to date. Wake comes in allowing a meager 9.5 points per game and 272.5 yards per game (total defense); their defense has 5 players with at least 10 tackles (safety Nick Andersen is the team leader with 12 tackles) and defensive end Langston Hardy leads the pass rush with 2.5 sacks.

The Deacs counter with a growing offense spearheaded by running back Demond Claiborne (212 rushing yards on just 13 carries/16.3 yards per carry/3 touchdowns) and quarterback Robby Ashford (445 passing yards/66.0 completion percentage/1 touchdown and 1 interception along with being the team's second leading rusher). Wideouts Chris Barnes (172 receiving yards/19.1 yards per reception) and Sterling Berkhalter (106 receiving yards/21.2 yards per reception and a touchdown) are the early leaders in the passing game. They'll face an NC State defense which is allowing 320.0 yards per game and a higher than usual 24.0 points per game, so they look to take advantage of a defense who is still forging their identity, as Caden Fordham (20 total tackles and 1 sack) and Sean Brown (19 total tackles) look to give Wake's offense major challenges as the rivalry is renewed.

Game recap: Wake has a fast start, but NC State has a stronger finish

Wake wastes little time in making a statement; Chris Barnes' 98-yard game-opening kickoff return (14:48 in the 1st quarter) gives the Deacs an early 7-0 lead. They would make it a 14-0 lead at the 7:19 mark (1st quarter) as Demond Claiborne's 1-yard plunge caps off a 7-play/93-yard scoring drive.

However, as is often the case with rivalry games, the rivals strike back.

CJ Bailey's 5-yard touchdown pass on a 4th and 1 play gets the Wolfpack on the board (14-7) at the 2:35 mark of the 1st quarter. Nearly a minute later, defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley gets in the passing lane and rumbles for a pick-6 to tie the game at 14 (1:19 in the 1st quarter).

Going into the 2nd quarter, Wake would go on a 10-0 scoring run to retake the lead. On a solid 9-play/75-yard scoring drive which includes a key 26-yard reception by Micah Mays, Jr., Robby Ashford's 1-yard scamper allows the Deacs to retake the lead (21-14). Connor Calvert's 28-yard field goal later in the quarter increases the lead to 24-14.

To close out the 1st half (1:00 in the 2nd quarter), the Wolfpack's Kanoah Vinesett cuts the lead to 24-17.

NC State would tie the game at the 6:22 mark (3rd quarter) as their 8-play/70-yard scoring drive concludes with CJ Bailey's 2nd touchdown pass of the game (a 4-yard score to Justin Joly).

The Wolfpack would take their first lead of the game early in the 4th quarter (12:37). CJ Bailey would add another touchdown pass (his 3rd of the game) to Keenan Jackson (12-yard score) to take a 31-24 lead. After Kanoah Vinesett's 37-yard field goal (6:19 left in the 4th quarter), NC State has its largest lead (34-24).

Inside the 5-minute mark of the 4th quarter, NC State's Sabastian Harsh is called for a targeting against Wake quarterback Robby Ashford (helmet to helmet) to extend the drive. However, on the very next play, the Wolfpack's Ronnie Royal jumps the route on a pass intended for Micah Mays to end the Deacs' drive. On the subsequent drive, a running into the kicker penalty by Wake's special teams extends the NC State drive inside the 4 minute mark of the game (and 4th quarter).

Post-game: After a fast start, the Deacs are outscored by a 34-10 margin and drop their ACC opener

NC State's ability to convert on 4th down (2 for 2 including a touchdown) and running the ball (averaging nearly 5 yards per carry as they have 44 rushes for 205 yards) are two key stats that come to mind (along with winning the turnover battle 2-0). This allows the Wolfpack to dominate the time of possession battle (38:05 minutes compared the Deacs' 21:55 minutes) and overcome Wake's fast start.

NC State's CJ Bailey (23/32 for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns) and Hollywood Smothers (24 carries for 164 yards/6.8 yards per carry) lead the Wolfpack offense along with tight end Justin Jolly's 2 touchdown receptions (as their offense outgains Wake's 406-311 [total yards]). Defensively, Sean Brown's 12 total tackles and the interceptions by Isaiah Shirley (his 41-yard pick-6) and Ronnie Royal are difference-makers in containing the Deacs' offense in the 2nd half.

For Wake, Robby Ashford (21/35 for 252 yards and 2 interceptions, along with 9 carries for 21 yards and a touchdown) and Chris Barnes (3 receptions for 76 yards and his 98 yards opening kickoff return for a touchdown on special teams) lead the offense. Demond Claiborne adds a rushing touchdown despite the Wolfpack defense limiting him to 12 carries on 35 yards (the Deacs generate 59 rushing yards on 22 carries, averaging less than 3 yards per carry). Defensively, Nick Andersen (11 total tackles) and Dylan Hazen (9 total tackles) make their presence felt, as they are among six defensive players who register 7 or more total tackles in the game.

In his post-game remarks, Coach Jake Dickert fields questions from the media (including ours); he speaks to areas of concern, especially what transpires in the 2nd half of the game. And while he feels the team is in a better space than their opening night win, he notes during the upcoming bye/break, they'll focus on addressing areas of improvement to return to their early winning ways (you may watch the full interview below):

Linebacker Dylan Hazen also fields our questions during post-game; with an emphasis on the fundamentals along with doing their job within the context of the defense, the team has the potential to address areas of concern (including their review of game film and related preparation). You may watch his full remarks below:

Yet another tussle between the two Tobacco Road Rivals as the Deacs look to rebound for their September 27th home matchup (time TBA) against Georgia Tech.

Notes: Today's coverage is done in collaboration with Pretty Girls Love Sports. You may watch the full interviews and related segments on our 2025 playlist (click HERE). Likewise, the smoke which fills the air during the 1st quarter of the game is due to a malfunctioning meat smoker in one of the food-trucks (no injuries are reported).