RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Backup quarterback CJ Bailey was at the controls for three second-half scoring drives, DK Kaufman returned an interception for a touchdown and NC State rallied from a double-digit deficit to defeat Louisiana Tech 30-20 on Saturday.

Bailey, a true freshman summoned when starter Grayson McCall departed with an injury, ran for a 1-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter as the Wolfpack finally gained command of the game.

“I had to step in and make plays,” Bailey said. “I had to learn.”

Bailey threw for 156 yards in two-plus quarters.

“Going into the half, everybody was having that ‘I’ve got your back’ mentality,” he said.

Kaufman sparked the comeback by going 33 yards for a touchdown on an interception in the opening minute of the second half. Kanoah Vinesett kicked field goals of 39, 35 and 52 yards for NC State (2-1), which eventually bounced back from a lopsided loss a week earlier to then-No. 14 Tennessee.

“Right place, right time,” said Kaufman, who’s in his first year with the Wolfpack after playing for Southeastern Conference teams Vanderbilt (2020) and Auburn (2021-23). “I was just doing what I had to do. … You really want to own the second half.”

The Wolfpack went ahead on Kendrick Raphael’s 3-yard run to complete an 8-minute, 11-second drive in the third quarter. The Bulldogs pulled even on Buck Buchanan’s 20-yard field goal before Vinesett’s long boot and Bailey’s TD run.

“It was a great response in the second (half),” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “The players rallied around each other.”

Louisiana Tech quarterback Jack Turner completed 19 of 36 passes for 281 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Tru Edwards had 148 receiving yards on four catches.

“We did what we couldn’t do on our first drive (of the second half),” Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie said of the pick-6.

The Bulldogs (1-1) scored 17 points in the final three minutes of the first half. It began with Donerio Davenport’s 5-yard run and Edwards’ 75-yard catch-and-run from Turner.

Then Bailey was picked off by Kolbe Fields, and the Bulldogs ended up with Buchanan’s career-long 57-yard field goal for a 17-6 halftime lead.

“We felt good about how the game was going from a defensive standpoint,” Cumbie said.

NC State scored first shortly after linebacker Caden Fordham’s fumble recovery.

The Bulldogs were denied their first 2-0 start to a season since 2020. They also fell to 0-8 all-time in games in the state of North Carolina.

McCall’s injury

McCall left the game in the second quarter. Doeren declined to provide information on the nature of the injury.

Louisiana Tech was leading 7-6 shortly before halftime when the announcement came about McCall’s status. He was 9-for-13 for 54 passing yards and posted a team-high 22 rushing yards at the time of his exit.

McCall was considered one of the country’s top pick-ups in the transfer portal during the last offseason after playing parts of five seasons for Coastal Carolina.

The takeaway

Louisiana Tech: The Bulldogs looked strong at times in seeking to defeat a power-conference opponent for the first time since toppling Miami in the 2019 Independence Bowl. The offense, with only 12 first downs, stalled too often.

NC State: The Wolfpack pulled away in both home games, but the results against Western Carolina and Louisiana Tech probably delivered as many questions as answers. With McCall’s status in question, there’s bound to be adjustments.

Poll implications

NC State had been ranked since the preseason until losing to Tennessee. This result isn’t likely to catapult the Wolfpack back into the Top 25.

Up next

Louisiana Tech: Home vs. Tulsa on Saturday.

N.C. State: At No. 22 Clemson on Saturday in an Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.

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Steve Gleason is currently recovering in the hospital after undergoing a medical event in the midst of Hurricane Francine hitting Louisiana.

Gleason, whose blocked punt in the team’s first game back in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was one of the signature plays in Saints franchise history, experienced a high fever and low blood pressure on Wednesday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Gleason, who has been battling ALS for years, was advised by his doctors to get to the hospital.

Unfortunately, with Hurricane Francine making landfall, there were concerns about whether first responders would be able to get to Gleason and get him to the hospital. However, Gleason’s publicist, Clare Durrett, said they were able to reach him amid the storm and get him to the hospital.

“They immediately stabilized him and transported him to Ochsner [Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana],” Durrett said. “He remains there and stable. He’s continuing to be treated and we are hopeful Steve will do what Steve does and warrior through to get home as quickly as possible.”

Gleason played for the Saints from 2000 to 2006. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2011.

The N.C. State Wolfpack football team is back in Raleigh for a Week 3 matchup with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday (Noon, ACC Network) at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Wolfpack (1-1) is coming off a blowout loss to No. 9 Tennessee (2-0) in the Duke’s Mayo Classic, and the Bulldogs (1-0) haven’t played since a Week 1 win against FCS Nicholls State.

N.C. State has won the previous two meetings with Louisiana Tech, securing a 40-14 victory in head coach Dave Doeren’s debut in 2013 before a 34-27 win in 2021. Both of those games also were in Raleigh.

Watch NC State vs Louisiana Tech on Fubo

Here’s how to watch the N.C. State vs Louisiana Tech game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is NC State vs Louisiana Tech on today?

TV Channel: ACC Network

Livestream: Fubo (free trial), ESPN+

N.C. State vs. Louisiana Tech will be broadcast nationally on ACC Network in Week 3 of the 2024 college football season. Jorge Sedano and Orlando Franklin will call the game from the booth at Carter-Finley Stadium, with Morgan Uber reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. Matt Chazanow, Johnny Evans and Tony Haynes will have the radio call on the Wolfpack Sports Network.

Watch NC State vs Louisiana Tech on Fubo

NC State vs Louisiana Tech time today

Date: Saturday, September 14

Start time: Noon

Buy NC State tickets here

The N.C. State vs. Louisiana Tech game starts at Noon from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

NC State vs Louisiana Tech predictions, picks, odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM will be posted as they become available.

N.C. State 39, Louisiana Tech 13: The Wolfpack needs a positive response from its letdown in Charlotte. For the first time this season, N.C. State will look sharp in all three phases before a trip to Death Valley.

NC State vs Louisiana Tech preview

Spread: NC State by 21.5 points

Over/under: 48.5 points

Moneyline: N.C. State (-2000), Louisiana Tech (+1000)

NC State schedule 2024

• Aug. 29: Western Carolina (W, 38-21)
• Sept. 7: Tennessee (L, 51-10)
• Sept. 14: Louisiana Tech 
• Sept. 21: at Clemson
• Sept. 28: Northern Illinois
• Oct. 5: Wake Forest
• Oct. 12: Syracuse
• Oct. 19: at Cal
• Oct. 26: OPEN
• Nov. 2: Stanford
• Nov. 9: Duke
• Nov. 16: OPEN
• Nov. 21: at Georgia Tech (Thursday)
• Nov. 30: at UNC

Louisiana Tech schedule 2024

• Aug. 31: Nicholls (W, 25-17)
• Sept. 7: OFF
• Sept. 14: at N.C. State
• Sept. 21: Tulsa
• Sept. 28: at FIU
• Oct. 5: OFF
• Oct. 10: Middle Tennessee (Thursday)
• Oct. 15: at New Mexico State (Tuesday)
• Oct. 29: at Sam Houston (Tuesday)
• Nov. 9: Jacksonville State
• Nov. 16: at WKU
• Nov. 23: at Arkansas
• Nov. 30: Kennesaw State

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

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