RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Duke Scott ran for a career-best 196 yards in place of injured Atlantic Coast Conference rushing leader Hollywood Smothers to help NC State stun No. 8 Georgia Tech 48-36 on Saturday night, ending the Yellow Jackets’ unbeaten run.
Scott broke loose around the left side for a 30-yard TD with 4:07 left to effectively seal this one. The redshirt freshman ran tough all night and having home fans roaring “Duuuuuuuke!” after several of his gains.
CJ Bailey threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns while running for another for the Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3 ACC), which rode a crisp offensive showing from the opening possession to the program’s first win against a top-10 opponent in more than four years.
And it ended with Wolfpack fans storming to midfield to celebrate a massive win.
Georgia Tech (8-1, 5-1) entered with its first 8-0 start since 1966 and joined No. 15 Virginia as the only teams unbeaten in ACC play.
In an unusual twist, NC State has now beaten both. The Wolfpack handed the Cavaliers their lone loss in September, though that was in a non-conference matchup added outside the league’s scheduling model and doesn’t count in the ACC standings.
Haynes King threw for two scores and ran for two more for Georgia Tech.
The Takeaway
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets compounded their defensive troubles with shaky red-zone play. They twice settled for third-quarter field goals after driving into the red zone. One even came after the Yellow Jackets committed a false-start penalty when going for it on a fourth-and-goal from the Wolfpack’s 1 — a problem when they were struggling to keep up.
NC State: The Wolfpack’s last win against a top-10 opponent had come in double overtime against then-No. 9 Clemson in September 2021, which was the only one in 13 tries under 13th-year coach Dave Doeren. This is the highest-ranked opponent NC State has beaten since taking down then-No. 3 Florida State in 2012.
Up Next
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets have an open week before visiting Boston College on November 15.
NC State: There’s an open week before No. 10 Miami hosts the Wolfpack on November 15.