Well, they had us in the first half, I’m not gonna lie. With the ball to start the third quarter and a 17-6 lead, Louisiana Tech’s win probability was approaching 70%, and we had no idea what we could expect to get out of CJ Bailey. But then the Wolfpack defense made the play that completely turned this game around.
Louisiana Tech quarterback Jack Turner does what you absolutely cannot do in that situation, trying to play the hero on third down rather than just taking the sack. Davin Vann gets his throwing arm, and the ball flies up over the middle of the field, giving DK Kaufman the easiest pick of his life. This one play shifted the win probability back to 53% for NC State.
With that much-needed boost of positive energy, CJ Bailey did the rest, putting together an excellent second half to overcome a shaky start in the second quarter. That he was able to quickly put that interception behind him is encouraging. He led two touchdown drives—State’s only touchdown drives—in the second half, and his throw with pressure in his face to Justin Joly was big-time.