True freshman quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns as North Carolina State notched its first Atlantic Coast Conference win of the season with a 24-23 road victory over Cal on Saturday in Berkeley, Calif.
Bailey completed 25 of 36 passes as the Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3 ACC) pulled to .500 overall and notched their first road win. NC State’s offense also was boosted by Hollywood Smothers, who had 112 yards of total offense on 13 touches (25 yards rushing, 87 receiving).
After NC State took a fourth-quarter lead, Cal (3-4, 0-4) used 13 plays to drive 65 yards in about five minutes to set up a go-ahead 28-yard field-goal attempt, but Derek Morris’ kick from the left hash sailed wide right. Cal got one more chance to drive for a potential game-winning score with 59 seconds left, but the Golden Bears stalled on a fourth-and-5 at their 39, gaining only 3 yards.
It’s the fourth consecutive loss for the Golden Bears, each by five points or less.
Fernando Mendoza steered the offense by completing 30 of 42 passes for 282 yards. Jack Endries hauled in nine passes for 101 yards.
The Wolfpack took their first lead of the day early in the second quarter when wideout Kevin Concepcion took a direct snap and punched it into the end zone from 2 yards out. Cal responded with three field goals and a 7-yard touchdown run from Jaivian Thomas to take a 23-10 advantage into the fourth quarter.
NC State then opened the final frame with two scores, as Bailey found Dacari Collins for a short passing touchdown, and followed that by connecting with Smothers for a 41-yard catch-and-run for a score. Kanoah Vinesett’s extra point gave the Wolfpack a narrow 24-23 lead with 6:32 to play.
Cal won the turnover battle 2-1 and held NC State’s rushing attack to 29 yards on 30 attempts. The Golden Bears struggled on third downs, though, converting 2 of 14. The Wolfpack was 8 of 17 on third down, 2 of 2 on fourth down.
Golden Bears offensive lineman TJ Session was carted off the field near the end of the game with an undisclosed injury.
NC State running back Jordan Waters did not travel with the team to Cal due to an illness.
