NC State football report card: Stanford

By Ethan McDowell

NC State improved to 5-4 and 2-3 in the ACC after taking down Stanford in a dominant showing inside Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack put together its best offensive performance of the season, playing efficient, explosive football during a 59-28 victory.

Stanford’s rushing attack was a problem at points for the host team, but NC State adapted and kept this game from turning into a complete shootout. In a matchup between the ACC’s bottom two scoring defenses, the Pack separated itself by creating turnovers and negative plays that helped offset explosive plays by the Cardinal.

For the first time in 2024, NC State is on a winning streak. The Pack needs to beat one of its next 3 opponents over the next 4 weeks to achieve bowl eligibility.

NC State offense grade vs. Stanford

Grade — A+

Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey played the best game of his young career against the Cardinal, completing his final 14 passes of the game to finish 18 for 20, racking up 234 yards and 3 touchdowns. He did not turn the ball over for the second game in a row, and he led nine consecutive scoring drives before NC State pulled him from the game.

He spread the ball around, with 5 receivers logging at least 3 targets. Junior tight end Justin Joly led the way with 4 catches for 66 yards and 1 touchdown — a scoring play where Bailey went through his progressions, scrambled and found the Pack’s leading pass catcher in the back of the end zone.

NC State’s passing offense clicked, but the rushing attack also put together its most impressive performance of the fall. Graduate Jordan Waters and redshirt freshman Hollywood Smothers both ripped off 50+ yard touchdowns and racked up more than 100 yards behind an offensive line that cleared massive holes for its playmakers. Waters’ 94-yard score was the second-longest rush in program history. Stanford came into this game as the conference’s No. 6 rushing defense, so this success is no small feat.

The Wolfpack logged 7 rushes of 10 yards or more, and 5 of Bailey’s 18 completions traveled 15 yards or more. NC State finished the contest with 527 yards of offense and played backups for more of the fourth quarter.

On 30 first down plays, the team gained an average of 9.1 yards. That helped the program stay ahead of schedule with an average third down distance to gain of 4.2 yards. NC State converted 60 percent of its third down plays and only dealt with one third down of 9 or more yards. This unit took a noticeable step forward against the ACC’s worst defense.

Defense grade vs. Stanford

Grade — C+

Stanford rushed for 225 yards Saturday. Quarterback Ashton Daniels was the Cardinal’s only source of offense for most of this game. Before leaving with an injury, he ran 11 times for 129 yards, including touchdown runs of 48 and 67 yards. He also completed 6 of 8 passes for 70 yards. NC State gave up 6 rushes of 10 yards or more but settled down as the game progressed.

Defensive lineman Davin Vann logged his nation-leading fifth forced fumble to set the tone on the first drive of the game, tying his career-high mark of 5.5 sacks in the process. Stanford scored on 3 of its next 5 possessions during drives that traveled at least 70 yards and took no more than 6 plays. NC State only allowed 1 touchdown after that when the Pack’s reserves matched up against the Cardinal starters.

The Pack recorded 13 tackles for loss, including 2.5 by senior safety Bishop Fitzgerald, and 3 sacks. Junior cornerback Devon Marshall secured his second interception of the year, and sophomore cornerback Brandon Cisse also stood out in coverage. Stanford tried to test him in his first game back from injury, and he broke up a pair of throws.

It was a boom or bust day for NC State’s defense, but that was more than enough to help NC State leave with a comfortable win.

Special teams grade

Grade — A

Opposing teams have neutralized NC State’s return game for most of this season, but senior safety DK Kaufman noticed something on film that he could exploit as a kick returner. Stanford does not play aggressive in kick coverage, and he took advantage of that with a 91-yard return. He averaged 55 yards per run back Saturday afternoon on 3 attempts.

Graduate Collin Smith handled the place kicking duties in this game, converting his only field goal attempt from 23 yards out. Redshirt junior Caden Noonkester only punted once during NC State’s dominant offensive display, and the kick traveled 42 yards.