Backup quarterback CJ Bailey led three scoring drives in the second half, DK Kaufman returned an interception for a touchdown, and NC State came back from a double-digit deficit to beat Louisiana Tech 30-20 on Saturday.
Bailey, a true freshman who stepped in after starter Grayson McCall got injured, scored a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, giving the Wolfpack control of the game.
“I had to step in and make plays,” Bailey said. “I had to learn.”
Bailey threw for 156 yards during his time on the field.
“Going into the half, everybody was having that ‘I’ve got your back’ mentality,” he said.
Kaufman ignited the comeback with a 33-yard touchdown return on an interception just after halftime. Kanoah Vinesett added field goals of 39, 35, and 52 yards for NC State (2-1), which rebounded from a big loss the previous week to then-No. 14 Tennessee.
“Right place, right time,” Kaufman said. “I was just doing what I had to do. … You really want to own the second half.”
The Wolfpack took the lead with Kendrick Raphael’s 3-yard run, capping an 8-minute, 11-second drive in the third quarter. The Bulldogs tied the game with Buck Buchanan’s 20-yard field goal before Vinesett’s long kick and Bailey’s touchdown run put NC State ahead.
“It was a great response in the second half,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “The players rallied around each other.”
Louisiana Tech quarterback Jack Turner completed 19 of 36 passes for 281 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Tru Edwards had 148 receiving yards on four catches.
“We did what we couldn’t do on our first drive (of the second half),” Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie said about the pick-6.
