Vanderbilt football pulls off last-second unbelievable highlight play to beat NC State

The NC State Wolfpack had six seconds to burn in the end zone, and planned to take an intentional safety to seal the victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. However, the huge non-conference win slipped away for the pack. In fact, quite literally, that's how it happened on the field on Saturday afternoon. 

NC State QB CJ Bailey rolled out and tried to dance around to kill the clock. But he ended up getting stripped in the end zone with a fumble recovery for a Vanderbilt touchdown. In what might go down in history as one of the worst plays in college football history.

All the Wolfpack had to do was kill the clock on 4th and 7 with six seconds remaining.

Instead, Vanderbilt secured the 35-31 win over NC State. This kept the Commodores perfect record intact at 3-0, which the Wolfpack dropped to 1-2 to start the 2026 season. Vandy QB Jared Curtis threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns.

The worst start to a season for NC State since 2008 when they started 1-2 with a loss to Clemson. Also, the worst start for Dave Doeren's tenure in Raleigh. As for Vanderbilt, this is the second 3-0 start under Clark Lea in Nashville. 

MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:

• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Nike adds eight College Football stars to NIL roster before 2026 season
• ESPN analyst says 'pump the brakes' on Texas' Arch Manning being the best QB
• Dabo Swinney says Clemson is a 'bunch of nobodies' ahead of 2026 season
• Shedeur Sanders is all over social media after Colorado GPA surfaces