NC State's End-Zone Fumble Hands Vanderbilt a Miraculous Victory
NC State was one snap from beating Vanderbilt, but a fumble in the end zone on the final play gave the Commodores a touchdown and a 35-31 win. The play was reviewed and one second was added, allowing the extra point to stand. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea praised his team's resilience after the stunning finish.
NC State had run the clock down to six seconds on fourth-and-7, needing only to avoid disaster. Bailey scrambled in the end zone rather than taking an intentional safety, which would have sealed a 31-30 win. Capers stripped the ball, Daniels recovered for the touchdown, and the review restored one second, allowing the extra point to stand and covering the three-point spread.
Vanderbilt trailed by 17 and started freshman quarterback Jared Curtis in his first career start. Curtis was intercepted at the 2-yard line with 1:04 left, but the defense bailed him out. The finish mirrored Michigan's Sept. 5 Hail Mary win over Western Michigan, where a restored second also changed the outcome. Vanderbilt improved to 3-0; NC State fell to 1-2.
The outcome may affect both programs' trajectories — Vanderbilt's 3-0 start gains credibility with a freshman quarterback, while NC State's 1-2 record raises questions about game management. The controversial finish could also intensify scrutiny of clock-review procedures, as this was the second time this month a restored second decided a game. Fans and bettors alike may feel the emotional whiplash of a result that hinged on a single chaotic play.