Stanford, CA — In a nail-biting contest that came down to the final moments, the NC State Wolfpack edged out the Stanford Cardinal 21-20 in a hard-fought battle at Stanford Stadium. The game was marked by big plays, defensive stops, and a resilient performance by NC State, who held off a late Cardinal charge to secure the victory.
The Wolfpack's star quarterback, Grayson McCall, was at the heart of the win, despite throwing two costly interceptions. McCall made up for his mistakes with a 54-yard touchdown run in the first half, providing the spark for NC State’s offense. McCall also made several key throws on tough routes to give his team a chance to win.
McCall’s dynamic playmaking ability was on full display early in the game. After a slow start, he took a designed run down the middle, going untouched and outracing defenders to the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown. The electrifying run put NC State up 7-0 at the beginning of the first quarter and set the tone for the rest of the contest.
The Wolfpack's offense wasn’t done there. Dacari Collins made a great catch and run in the 4th quarter, turning a corner route into a 64-yard touchdown. Collins displayed his speed and sprinted down the sideline, putting NC State up 21-20.
One of the most reliable sources of offense for NC State was their running back, Jordan Waters, who totaled 78 yards on 17 carries. While the Wolfpack’s rushing attack wasn’t overpowering, Waters helped control the clock and pick up crucial yardage in key situations.
The Wolfpack’s defense stood strong in the second half holding Stanford scoreless after allowing 20 points in the first half. The defense had several key stops, including an interception by Caden Fordham.
This hard-fought victory improves NC State’s record to 5-3 on the season and 3-1 in conference play, solidifying their standing as one of the more dangerous teams in the ACC. NC State’s destiny is in their own hands. Only time will tell if they can clean up their game and play mistake free football.
In a tightly contested Week 10 matchup, the Stanford Cardinal suffered a narrow 21-20 loss to the NC State Wolfpack, despite a valiant effort and moments of brilliance on both sides of the ball.
First Half Action
Stanford struck first, finding the end zone in the opening quarter to set the tone early. However, NC State answered back with a touchdown of their own, leveling the score at 7-7. The Cardinal offense found momentum in the second quarter, adding 13 points to their tally through an effective air attack led by quarterback Ashton Daniels. The Wolfpack kept pace with a touchdown of their own, narrowing Stanford’s halftime lead to 20-14.
Second Half Struggles
Both defenses tightened in the third quarter, resulting in a scoreless stalemate. The Cardinal offense moved the ball effectively but couldn’t capitalize on red-zone opportunities, a key factor in the game’s outcome. NC State managed the lone score of the fourth quarter, reclaiming the lead with a decisive touchdown that sealed their 21-20 victory.
Key Stats and Takeaways
Offensive Production: Stanford tallied 312 total yards, with 243 coming through the air and 69 on the ground. NC State edged them out with 376 total yards, including 147 rushing yards.
Conversions: Stanford excelled on third downs, converting 6 of 10 attempts, while NC State went 3 of 4.
Turnovers: The Cardinal committed three turnovers, including two costly interceptions, compared to NC State’s single turnover.
Red Zone Efficiency: NC State capitalized on their opportunities, going 1-for-3 in the red zone with a touchdown. Stanford struggled, scoring on just two of three trips with one touchdown and a field goal.
What’s Next
The loss drops Stanford’s record, but the Cardinal remain determined as they prepare for the next challenge in their season. Improved red-zone efficiency and ball security will be key focuses heading into their Week 11 matchup.
This game was a stark reminder of the small margins that decide games and Stanford will need to regroup quickly to keep their postseason hopes alive.
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