What was CJ Bailey thinking? Or maybe, just maybe, Vanderbilt had some sort of sorcery at play on Saturday, pulling off an incredible last-minute comeback with a 35-31 win over NC State that resembled a Music City Miracle.
With only six seconds remaining, the Wolfpack held a 31-28 lead and faced a fourth-down situation deep in their own territory, specifically at the 5-yard line. In an attempt to secure the victory, NC State’s quarterback CJ Bailey decided to run out the clock by scrambling before taking a safety.
But things took a turn. Bailey was tackled by three defenders from Vanderbilt in the end zone. During the play, EDGE Miles Capers knocked the ball loose, allowing cornerback Cayden Daniels to recover it for a touchdown that handed the Commodores the lead.
This, undeniably, offered the college football world one of the most thrilling finishes of the season.
WATCH:
A NEW MUSIC CITY MIRACLE! 😱
From down 17 to one of the most unbelievable plays you’ll ever see 😳
— ESPN College Football
After reviewing the play, the officials confirmed the touchdown ruling, and just like that, Vanderbilt had taken the lead in the closing seconds.
One Twitter user captured the moment succinctly: “Tim Beck knows he used up one of his nine lives here.”
The reaction from the Vanderbilt coaches was quite telling, especially the man on the right who appeared to have seen it all unfold.
I have to be honest: this was one of the most mind-numbing mistakes in college football history.
All CJ Bailey needed to do was run out the back of the end zone. Seriously, that was the whole plan for taking an intentional safety with six seconds on the clock. He needed to take the snap, waste a few seconds, and step out of bounds. It would have given the team two points, but they would have kicked the ball back to the opposition with just moments left, sealing the 31-28 win.
It was honestly that straightforward.
But instead, Bailey opted to play the hero, trying to stretch out the clock as if he were dodging oncoming traffic on a busy highway. It’s baffling to think this strategy was deemed reasonable against SEC defenders who constantly hunt for opportunities.
I’m not just pointing fingers at Bailey here; the coaching staff at NC State has to take some heat too.
If your quarterback lacks the basic situational awareness to understand that holding onto the ball in that scenario is far riskier than simply conceding two points, then it seems there was a breakdown in preparation. They were ahead by three points. A safety still meant they won the game. So, why even tempt fate by risking a fumble?
This week is likely going to be tough for the Wolfpack, as they face the music for their own mistakes.
