Just when you think you've seen it all, college football finds a way to leave you slack-jawed. NC State was one second from picking up a big road win over Vanderbilt when C.J. Bailey fumbled an intentional safety to complete a nuclear meltdown.
After intercepting Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis at their own 2-yard line, all the Wolfpack had to do was run the clock down to seal a 31-28 win. On fourth down, Dave Doeren didn't want to risk any mistakes while punting, so he let Bailey run around in the end zone and kneel the ball for an intentional safety. As the Commodores closed in on Bailey, he tried to buy more time instead of hitting the turf.
That proved to be a disastrous mistake as Vanderbilt EDGE Miles Capers dove in to force a fumble, and cornerback Cayden Daniels jumped on the loose ball in the end zone. THIS PLAY ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WQOzTIBwq9 NC State was left with one second to attempt a miracle of its own, but it was unable to come up with any magic as Vanderbilt held on for a shocking 35-31 victory. After the game, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren explained that Bailey was supposed to roll out, avoid contact and protect the football before getting down.
"It was supposed to be a play where you roll out and not get hit," Doeren said, per 247Sports. "Plan was just to take a safety and protect the football. We made enough plays for 59:59 of this game." Doeren was pleased with his team's effort for most of the game, and that only made the ending even more gut-wrenching.
"That's a heartbreaking ending," Doeren said. "Should've never came down to that. It hurts when you lose a game like that when we did a bunch of good things in it." That touchdown gave Vanderbilt its first lead of the day as it trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half.
Just when it looked like the Commodores' comeback effort would fall a few points short, they fought for the full 60 minutes and got rewarded for it. Vanderbilt now improves to 3-0 play with SEC play on deck, and NC State drops to 1-2 after taking a gut punch in Nashville. With 8:52 remaining in the third quarter, NC State scored a touchdown to take a 17-point lead.
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