CJ Bailey threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns as visiting North Carolina State reached bowl eligibility by beating Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina for the fourth consecutive season 35-30 on Saturday in Chapel Hill.
Bailey, a true freshman, completed 14 of 20 passes and also rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries. Hollywood Smothers paced the rushing attack with 83 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, while also picking up 34 receiving yards on three catches for the Wolfpack (6-6, 3-5 ACC).
Jacolby Criswell threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-33 passing for the Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC). Omarion Hampton totaled 253 yards of total offense and two touchdowns on 26 touches.
The Wolfpack are assured of a non-losing regular-season record for the 10th time in 12 seasons under coach Dave Doeren.
The loss marked the final regular-season game for the Tar Heels under Mack Brown, who is in his sixth season of his second stint leading the program. It remains unclear if Brown will coach North Carolina in its bowl game.
With 1:51 left to play, Hampton snagged a short shovel pass from Criswell, knifed through the teeth of the defense, outran five defenders and dragged another into the end zone, covering 47 yards. His 40th career touchdown leaves him third in program history — and the extra point gave North Carolina a one-point advantage.
But NC State quickly responded, driving 75 yards in just six plays and 86 seconds. The drive was highlighted by Bailey connecting with Noah Rogers, covered by two defenders, for 44 yards. Smothers capped the possession with a 2-yard scamper.
The Wolfpack scored on all six of their possessions in the second half. For the game, they led in time of possession by about 11 minutes.
After the game, several players from both sides were involved in a fight on the field.
The Tar Heels played the majority of the game without one of their top pass rushers, Kaimon Rucker — who has six sacks and an interception this season — after he was hit by an NC State player away from the action on a play in the first quarter.
Rucker had to be carted off the field and did not return. The team said he suffered a lower body injury.
The Wolfpack got on the board first thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Smothers. The score was set up by Wolfpack edge rusher Davin Vann, who took possession back for NC State with a strip sack. Vann picked up his sixth force fumble of the season after entering the weekend leading FBS.
–Field Level Media
