NC State vs. Vanderbilt Postgame Takeaways 2026: Doeren, Bailey find new way to lose at Vanderbilt
- 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.
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