Story perspectives

Vanderbilt Beats NC State 35-31 After Bailey Fumble

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 11:29 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

CJ Bailey fumbled in the end zone, giving Vanderbilt a 35-31 win over NC State.
Bailey said he was trying to get the clock out and hold the ball.
Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning reached out to support Bailey.
The loss left NC State 1-2 and gave Vanderbilt a 3-0 start, its largest comeback since 2012.

History

Historical Context

In 2008, under seventh-year head coach Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt opened 5-0—their first such start since 1943—earned a bowl berth for the first time since 1982 and broke a 53-year bowl-win drought by defeating Boston College 16-14 in the Music City Bowl. The 2024 CJ Bailey fumble echoed that turnaround, reviving the program’s comeback narrative.

1 of 2

Story summary

CJ Bailey fumbled in the end zone, giving Vanderbilt a 35-31 win over NC State.
Bailey said he was trying to get the clock out and hold the ball.
Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning reached out to support Bailey.
The loss left NC State 1-2 and gave Vanderbilt a 3-0 start, its largest comeback since 2012.

1 / 2