Vanderbilt stuns N.C. State with fumble recovery in end zone with 1 second left for improbable 35-31 win, tell me about this news in (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/19/vanderbilt-nc-state-football-crazy-ending/)

In what has quickly become one of the most bizarre and heartbreaking finishes in recent college football history, Vanderbilt defeated NC State 35-31 on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.

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How the Ending Unfolded

• The Presumed Ending: NC State appeared to have the game locked up. Vanderbilt trailed 31-28 late in the fourth quarter when Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis threw an interception to NC State’s Brody Barnhardt at the 1-yard line with just 1:04 remaining.

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• The Final Play Blunder: With only seconds left on 4th down and backed up near his own goal line, NC State quarterback CJ Bailey took the snap to burn the final few seconds off the clock in his own end zone. Even conceding an intentional safety would have preserved a 31-30 victory for the Wolfpack.

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• The Fumble & Touchdown: While scrambling backwards through the end zone, Bailey was hit by Vanderbilt edge rusher Miles Capers, jarring the ball loose. Vanderbilt defensive lineman Cayden Daniels pounced on the loose football in the end zone for a touchdown.

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• The Aftermath: Following a replay review, officials placed 1 second back on the game clock. After the ensuing kickoff, NC State could not convert a desperation play, cementing the 35-31 Vanderbilt victory.

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Significance and Context

• First and Only Lead: The fumble recovery touchdown gave Vanderbilt its first and only lead of the entire contest. NC State had led for 59 minutes and 59 seconds.

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• Massive Comeback: Vanderbilt overcame an early 17-0 deficit in the first half and a 24-7 hole in the third quarter to pull off their largest comeback victory since defeating Ole Miss in 2012.

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• Records: The miraculous win pushed Vanderbilt to an undefeated 3-0 start to the season, while dropping NC State to 1-2.

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