CJ Bailey threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns, adding another score on the ground as North Carolina State posted a 48-36 upset of visiting No. 8 Georgia Tech on Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Jayden Scott rushed for a career-high 196 yards and a touchdown for NC State (5-4, 2-3 in ACC), which handed Georgia Tech its first loss. The Wolfpack outgained the Yellow Jackets 583-559 in total offense to notch their first win over a ranked opponent since they beat No. 17 North Carolina in 2022.
Haynes King threw for 408 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for the Yellow Jackets (8-1, 5-1), adding 103 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Georgia Tech allowed its most points since a 48-23 loss to Ole Miss in 2023.
Trailing by seven at halftime, Georgia Tech cut its deficit to four on Aidan Birr’s 23-yard field goal. The Wolfpack answered in just over a minute, as Will Wilson’s 1-yard rushing score gave NC State a 31-20 lead with seven minutes left in the third.
Birr’s 29-yard field goal pulled the Yellow Jackets within eight with 4:52 remaining in the third.
Then Bailey eluded a defender to find Teddy Hoffmann for a 55-yard touchdown strike on NC State’s next possession, before King got the score back with his 3-yard rushing score to cut the Wolfpack lead to 38-30 entering the fourth.
After Kanoah Vinesett’s 37-yard field goal put NC State ahead by 11, the Wolfpack defense forced Georgia Tech’s only punt of the game.
Scott’s 30-yard touchdown rush gave the Wolfpack an 18-point lead, but King’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Zion Taylor kept hope alive at the 2:22 mark. Georgia Tech’s failed onside kick attempt sealed NC State’s victory.
The Wolfpack opened the game with Bailey’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Cody Hardy.
King’s 50-yard pass to Jordan Allen on Georgia Tech’s ensuing drive was followed with King’s 12-yard rushing score to knot the score with 6:49 remaining in the opening quarter.
Bailey answered with an 11-yard rushing score to stamp a 78-yard drive at the 1:59 mark of the first.
After Birr’s 43-yarder cut Georgia Tech’s deficit to four, King’s 2-yard touchdown pass to J.T. Byrne gave the Yellow Jackets a 17-14 lead with 6:25 left in the first half.
NC State regained the lead on the ensuing drive, as Hardy recovered Wilson’s fumble in the end zone. Birr missed a 54-yarder before Vinesett’s 34-yard field goal as time expired to give the Wolfpack a seven-point halftime lead.
