NC State Dominates Memphis in Gasparilla Bowl, Ends Bowl Drought in Style
TAMPA, Fla. - For NC State, this one was personal. After years of bowl frustration, the Wolfpack finally broke through - and they did it with authority. In a 31-7 rout of Memphis in the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl, Dave Doeren’s squad delivered its most complete postseason performance in nearly a decade, snapping a bowl win drought that stretched back to 2017.
The tone was set early, and it never wavered. Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey played with the poise of a veteran, accounting for three total touchdowns - two through the air, one on the ground - all before halftime.
His command of the offense was impressive, especially considering the stage. Bailey wasn’t just managing the game; he was dictating it.
Will Wilson added another touchdown to cap a dominant first half, and from there, the defense took over. And when we say took over, we mean it.
The Wolfpack defense was relentless, swarming the Tigers at every turn and keeping the Memphis offense in check throughout the night. Every time Memphis tried to build momentum, NC State’s defense shut the door - often emphatically.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
For Doeren, it marked a long-awaited postseason breakthrough. Bowl games have been a sore spot for the program in recent years, but this time, everything clicked. The offense found rhythm early, the defense played fast and physical, and the energy on the sideline reflected a team that wasn’t just happy to be there - it came to finish the job.
There’s something about ending a season with a performance like this. It doesn’t just pad the win column; it builds belief. For a program that’s been knocking on the door of bigger things, this kind of dominant showing in December could be the launchpad into a new era.
No flukes. No late-game drama. Just a team that showed up, executed, and walked off the field with a trophy - and a little more swagger.
NC State closes the season on a high note, and with young talent like Bailey already flashing big-time potential, the future in Raleigh looks bright.