Vanderbilt wins in stunning fashion after NC State QB CJ Bailey fumbles in end zone with 1 second left, tell me about this news in (https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/vanderbilt-wins-in-stunning-fashion-after-nc-state-qb-cj-bailey-fumbles-in-end-zone-with-1-second-left-203636904.html)
20-09-2026
In one of the most shocking and bizarre finishes in college football history, Vanderbilt pulled off a miraculous 35–31 comeback victory over NC State.
CBS SportsHow It HappenedThe Situation: Leading 31–28 with about six seconds left on fourth down, NC State had essentially sealed the game after intercepting a Vanderbilt pass deep inside their own territory.
CBS SportsThe Call: Rather than attempting a punt from inside their own end zone, NC State opted to burn off the remaining clock by having quarterback CJ Bailey take the snap and scramble in the end zone to take an intentional safety. Conceding two points via a safety would have still kept NC State ahead 31–30 with virtually no time remaining.
CBS SportsThe Disaster: Instead of immediately taking a knee or throwing/stepping out of bounds before defenders arrived, Bailey tried to buy extra time. Vanderbilt edge rusher Miles Capers broke through and stripped the ball from Bailey near the goal line. Vanderbilt defensive back Cayden Daniels fell on the loose ball in the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown.
CBS Sports+ 2The Finish: After video review, officials determined Daniels secured the fumble with one second left on the clock. Vanderbilt added the extra point to go up 35–31giving them their very first lead of the entire game. On the ensuing kickoff, NC State’s desperate attempt at a multi-lateral miracle was quickly snuffed out.
The Big Lead+ 1
The touchdown capped a 17-point second-half comeback for Vanderbilt, improving them to 3–0. For NC State, who led for nearly the entire contest, the blunder dropped them to 1–2 and stands as one of the most agonizing late-game clock-management errors in program history.
CBS Sports