Bailey’s 373 yards help NC State hold off Louisville 31-28

CJ Bailey threw for 373 yards and two touchdowns, and NC State survived Louisville's fourth-quarter comeback to win 31-28 Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kanoah Vinesett's third field goal put the Wolfpack back in front after the Cardinals erased a 14-point deficit.

Louisville had enough explosive plays to win. Isaac Brown ran for 125 yards on nine carries, including a 70-yard touchdown that tied the score at 28. Keyjuan Brown added 88 yards and a touchdown. But the Cardinals lost three fumbles, and their final offensive possession ended with a punt after they went backward.

A comeback interrupted by another fumble

NC State led 28-14 after Will Wilson's one-yard touchdown run and Bailey's two-point pass to Davion Gause in the third quarter. Louisville answered with Keyjuan Brown's one-yard score before the end of the period.

The Wolfpack then drove inside the Louisville 10, threatening to restore the two-touchdown margin. Kaleb Beasley intercepted Bailey in the end zone instead. Two plays later, Isaac Brown broke through for the 70-yard score, giving the Cardinals a 28-28 tie early in the fourth.

Louisville forced a punt and reached NC State territory again. Keyjuan Brown gained 49 yards on a run, but the play ended with a fumble recovered by Popo Aguirre at the Wolfpack 13. It was Brown's second lost fumble of the afternoon and stopped a possession that could have put Louisville ahead.

NC State used the recovery to begin a 10-play, 76-yard drive. Vinesett finished it with a 28-yard field goal. The Wolfpack defense then forced Louisville to punt, and NC State kept the ball for the final 3:56.

Bailey keeps NC State moving

Bailey completed 24 of 40 passes. Joshisa Trader caught five for 92 yards, while Keenan Jackson and Tyran Warren caught his touchdown passes. Jackson's 19-yard score came at the end of a 14-play, 79-yard drive after Louisville's first lost fumble; Warren scored from 34 yards early in the third quarter.

NC State finished with 493 yards to Louisville's 485. The Wolfpack converted nine of 17 third downs and held possession for 37:20, keeping Louisville's dangerous running backs on the sideline for much of the game. Vinesett also made field goals from 46 and 29 yards in the first half.

Lincoln Kienholz completed 21 of 30 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns for Louisville. Tre Richardson caught eight passes for 117 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown, and Lawayne McCoy caught the other scoring pass.

Renee Maloney of WLKY reported that Louisville fell to 2-3 and next hosts Florida State on Friday, October 9. NC State improved to 3-2 and hosts Wake Forest on October 10. Saturday's result leaves the Cardinals with a short week after a game in which their big gains repeatedly ended without points.