News Summary
NC State’s football team began its season with a comeback victory over Wake Forest, winning 34-24 in their ACC opener. After falling behind 14-0, they rallied behind quarterback CJ Bailey, who threw three touchdown passes. A strong defensive performance in the second half sealed the win for NC State, marking head coach Dave Doeren’s 90th victory. This match highlighted the longest-standing rivalry in ACC history and improved NC State’s record to 3-0 this season.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina — NC State Overcomes Early Deficit to Secure 34-24 Victory Over Wake Forest in ACC Opener
NC State’s football team kicked off its 2025 season with a dominant second-half performance to beat Wake Forest 34-24 in their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opener.
Early Wake Forest Surge
The game was played at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest started strong, marking a quick 14-0 lead within the first minutes of the contest. The Demon Deacons’ initial scores included a kickoff return touchdown and a rushing touchdown.
The opening kickoff was returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Wake Forest’s Chris Barnes, igniting the crowd and setting an aggressive tone early in the game. Shortly afterward, Demond Claiborne punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown, further extending Wake Forest’s lead.
NC State Response and Turnaround
Despite the rocky start, NC State quickly responded with a significant defensive play. Isaiah Shirley intercepted a pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown, trimming Wake Forest’s lead to 14-7.
Following this, NC State’s offense began to find its rhythm. Quarterback CJ Bailey connected with Justin Joly for a 5-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 14-14. Bailey’s performance was notable, completing 22 of 32 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns throughout the game.
Second Half and Game-Deciding Plays
The teams traded scores in the early part of the second half, but NC State took control late in the game. With 12 minutes and 37 seconds remaining, Bailey threw a touchdown pass to Keenan Jackson, making the score 31-24 in favor of NC State. The Wolfpack then extended their lead with a 24-yard field goal by Konoah Vinsett with just over six minutes remaining.
NC State’s defense was particularly strong in the second half, preventing Wake Forest from scoring and maintaining their momentum to close out the game.
Significance of the Win
This victory marked NC State’s 90th win under head coach Dave Doeren, who has been leading the team since 2013. The team’s overall record under his leadership now stands at 90-65. The win was also notable because NC State has historically struggled in Winston-Salem, with only three wins in this city since 2000.
Additionally, the game was the 119th meeting between NC State and Wake Forest, making it the longest-standing rivalry in ACC history. The matchup produced an exciting, competitive game that kept fans engaged until the final whistle.
Additional Details and Context
The game experienced a brief scene during the first quarter when Choc’s Barbeque Co. food truck caught fire, creating smoke that filled the stadium. Despite the disruption, play continued uninterrupted.
In terms of season standings, NC State improved to 3-0, bolstering their confidence early in the 2025 campaign. Their previous two games had been close, one-score victories, indicating resilience and the ability to perform under pressure.
Their next scheduled game will be against Duke on September 20, 2025. Wake Forest, meanwhile, failed to score in the second half and will look to regroup ahead of their upcoming games.
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Additional Resources
- NC State Opens ACC Play Against Wake Forest
- Fayetteville Observer: NC State vs. Wake Forest Live Updates
- Wake Forest Football Falls to NC State
- CBS Sports: Food Truck Fire at NC State vs. Wake Forest
- News & Observer: NC State’s 34-24 Victory
- Wikipedia: NC State Wolfpack Football
- Google Search: ACC Football 2025
- Google Scholar: ACC Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Google News: NC State vs Wake Forest Football
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
