Overview
- The Wolfpack improved to 6-5 (3-4 ACC) with the home win, while the Seminoles fell to 5-6 (2-5) and must win their Nov. 29 finale at Florida to become bowl eligible.
- Quarterback CJ Bailey went 18-of-25 for 152 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and Hollywood Smothers rushed for 84 yards on 21 carries for NC State.
- Florida State’s Tommy Castellanos completed 16 of 32 passes for 203 yards, finding Duce Robinson for a fourth-quarter touchdown before a successful two-point conversion to Jayvan Boggs.
- Special teams swung the fourth quarter: a shanked NC State punt struck a Florida State player and was recovered by the punter, then FSU’s returner fumbled on the next punt, setting up Bailey’s fourth-and-6 touchdown to Justin Joly with 1:47 left.
- FSU entered as the betting favorite (lines ranged roughly -4.5 to -6.5) but lost outright, and the game finished well under the posted totals near 59.5–61.5, aligning with SportsLine’s model leaning to the Under.