NC State's Bailey owns up to late fumble that handed Vanderbilt the win
The short version
- CJ Bailey fumbled in the end zone on a planned intentional safety with six seconds left.
- Vanderbilt's Cayden Daniels recovered for the winning touchdown with one second remaining in a 35-31 win.
- Baley said he was trying to burn as much clock as possible and took accountability for the fumble.
- NC State (1-2) faces App State in Week 4.
Quarterback CJ Bailey said he was trying to burn the clock on a planned safety when he fumbled in the end zone, allowing Vanderbilt to score the winning touchdown.
North Carolina State quarterback CJ Bailey spoke publicly for the first time since his late fumble cost the Wolfpack a game at Vanderbilt, saying his intent on the final play was to drain as much time as possible.
NC State led by three points with six seconds left and the ball at its own 5-yard line when coach Dave Doeren called for an intentional safety. Instead, Bailey was hit in the end zone by Vanderbilt's Miles Capers, and Cayden Daniels recovered the loose ball for the winning touchdown with one second remaining in the Commodores' 35-31 victory.
"I just was trying to get all the clock out," Bailey told reporters. "I fumbled the ball. I'm gonna pick myself up and keep going." He added that the team had practiced the play but never in that game situation.
Doeren said after the game that the plan was for Bailey to fall on the ground and protect the football, and there was no intent to run and absorb contact. He described the sequence as one that breaks your heart.
Bailey threw three touchdown passes and accounted for 310 yards of offense in the loss. The 1-2 Wolfpack, whom the quarterback says still have his full support, host App State in Week 4.
