NC State had the kind of first half that should put a game away.
CJ Bailey was sharp from the opening snaps, completing 17 of 18 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns while the Wolfpack’s defense smothered Wake Forest into just 85 passing yards, 37 rushing yards and 10 points before halftime. At that point, NC State looked like the team in control and the team ready to keep pace in the ACC race.
Then came the second half, and the game flipped hard.
Wake Forest came out of halftime and ripped off 28 unanswered points, turning a one-sided first half into a runaway finish. The Deacs outgained NC State 265 to 63 yards after the break, and Gio Lopez led the surge with a huge afternoon: 303 passing yards, three touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown. Carlos Hernandez and Jack Foley both went over 100 receiving yards and each found the end zone.
For Dave Doeren, though, the issue wasn’t some grand tactical overhaul. He pointed straight at execution.
“I think it’s more execution, and that’s the sad part,” Doeren said. “We got to do a better job on defense of getting our kids to execute in the second half.”
The numbers backed up just how badly NC State’s offense and defense fell apart together. The Wolfpack managed -5 rushing yards for the game and went only 2-for-9 on third down, which left the defense with no room to recover once Wake Forest found its rhythm.
“I wish I could tell you that we’re getting out adjusted because that’s not what is happening,” Doeren said. “It’s fundamentals. It’s not pressing and doing your job, and it’s really frustrating.”
That frustration has become familiar this season, with NC State’s defense again unable to hold up after halftime. This time, the offense couldn’t rescue the day. Even with injuries piling up during the week, the Wolfpack never gave itself a real chance once the game turned.
Wake Forest’s social media department made sure to savor the road win afterward, too.
The loss hits especially hard because Wake is NC State’s longest rival, and this one never looked close by the final whistle. Doeren downplayed the gap afterward, but the reality of the matchup was plain enough.
Now No. 21 Wake Forest is sitting in the driver’s seat, while NC State has to reset and figure out what comes next. Bailey said Doeren’s postgame message to the team was simple.
“We could go six straight games,” Bailey said. “This bye week is definitely needed for us to get better. Every week we’ll keep stacking days and being our best.”
NC State returns to action against Stanford (2-4) on Friday, October 23rd at 10:30 pm ET.
In Other News...
NC State Seniors Get One More Home Match With Plenty At Stake
The Wolfpacks final regular-season home date brings a little more meaning than usual, with Syracuse coming to town Oct. 15 for Senior Night in womens soccer. NC State will honor nine seniors before the match, and fans can watch on ACCNX or take in the free admission at the field, making it a fitting sendoff for a group that has helped carry the program through this stretch of the season.
There is still something tangible on the line beyond the ceremony, too, as NC State looks to close its home schedule with a result that would add another layer to the night. The Pack has a chance to leave October with momentum and a milestone tucked into the season ledger, which gives a one-night celebration a little extra edge for a team still trying to finish strong. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Faces A Crucial CSL Test With Postseason Pressure Rising
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For NC State, the stakes go beyond one night in Southern California. The Wolfpack are sitting sixth in the CSL standings and still trying to strengthen their case for a spot in the postseason meets in Indianapolis, which makes every result in a loaded field matter a little more. How they fare against three of the leagues standard-bearers should say plenty about where they stand as the pressure begins to build. [Read more 🡒]
Paul McNeil Jr. Was Overlooked Despite A Stronger Case Than Fans Realize
The ACCs preseason All-ACC teams came out without Paul McNeil Jr., and for NC State, it is the kind of omission that feels a little more puzzling the longer you look at it. Preseason honors are always projection-based, not a pure reward for what happened last year, but McNeils production gave him a stronger case than many realize after a season in which he put himself on the leagues radar as one of the conferences most efficient perimeter threats.
What makes the snub even more interesting is how it lines up with the buzz around McNeil heading into the new season. There has been steady talk that his offseason work has taken his game to another level, which only raises the stakes for NC State if he carries that momentum into the fall. For a player who already had a convincing statistical argument, the question now is whether he turns an overlooked preseason spot into a much bigger postseason conversation. [Read more 🡒]