NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Miles Capers forced the fumble and Cayden Daniels recovered just before time expired to give Vanderbilt a stunning 35-31 win over N.C. State on Saturday.
N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey attempted to run out the clock in the end zone on fourth down with six second to play on what could have been the final play of the game. But he fumbled as he was being tackled, and Daniels recovered to give the Commodores an improbable lead.
After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff there was enough time for one play, but the Wolfpack were stopped on their side of the 50-yard line.
Vanderbilt (3-0) was down 17-0 in the first half and 24-7 in the third quarter but rallied behind freshman QB Jared Curtis.
“It’s having true brotherhood,” Capers said. “We trust each other, we’re going to play for each other, and we know that we not out of the fight no matter what.”
N.C. State (1-2) was looking for its first road win against an SEC opponent since 1977, but Vanderbilt tied their largest comeback win since defeating Ole Miss in 2012.
“Plan was to take a safety,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. “We’re trying to run out of the clock if we can, but you know, there was no intent to run the football and get hit on that play.”
Vanderbilt’s lead on the fumble-recovery touchdown was their only one of the game.
“We talk about every blade of grass on defense, and that’s literally every blade of grass,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said.
In what seemed improbable for Vanderbilt after Jared Curtis was intercepted by Brody Barnhardt at the 1-yard line with 1:04 left in the game, Vanderbilt defied the odds.
“I can’t put into words what I felt … you get one of those in a lifetime,” Lea said. “We cheated the football gods today and got away with it.”
The takeaway
N.C. State: Their rushing attack was solid with 164 yards, and the offense was efficient against an SEC opponent.
Vanderbilt: Offensive line issues need to be figured out in order to help Curtis. They committed five holding penalties and a false start. The Commodores totaled 13 penalties for 116 yards.
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Up next
N.C. State: vs. Appalachian State on Saturday.
Vanderbilt: at Auburn on Saturday.