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NC State lost 35-31 at Vanderbilt after CJ Bailey took a shotgun snap with six seconds left, scrambled in the end zone and was stripped while trying to return to the line of scrimmage. Vanderbilt recovered for a touchdown with one second left; Dave Doeren called the play unacceptable.

Brody Barnhardt undercut Jared Curtis' pass for an interception at the two-yard line with 1:02 remaining, preserving NC State's lead before the final turnover. Earlier, Jaren Sensabaugh's interception and Popo Aguirre's forced fumble helped limit Vanderbilt's first four drives to 45 yards.

NC State opened with touchdown drives of 82 and 54 yards, each lasting seven plays. Will Wilson scored on a 38-yard third-down run, and Keenan Jackson was left open for a 30-yard touchdown as the Wolfpack built a 17-0 lead.

NC State also conceded a late first-half touchdown after punting: Curtis escaped two arm tackles for 19 yards, a defensive pass-interference call followed, and Junior Sherrill caught a 12-yard score. The writer identifies execution lapses at the end of both halves as central to the loss.