Sports
Fumble on final snap hands Vanderbilt 35-31 comeback win over NC State
September 19, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 7 hours
ESESPN
Best of Week 3: Ole Miss gets revenge, an inexplicable NC State fumble and more
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
NC State’s unfathomable last-second blunder gifts Vanderbilt miracle win
(opens the publisher’s site)
ESESPN
Vanderbilt recovers fumble with 1 second left to stun NC State
(opens the publisher’s site)Vanderbilt recovered CJ Bailey's last-second end-zone fumble to beat NC State 35-31 in Nashville on Saturday after trailing 17-0 in the first half.
- Miles Capers knocked the ball from Bailey's hands in the end zone with six seconds left, and cornerback Cayden Daniels recovered it for the go-ahead touchdown.
- Vanderbilt rallied with three consecutive touchdown drives, and the fumble recovery gave the Commodores, now 3-0, their only lead of the game.
- Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said his defense defends "every blade of grass," while NC State coach Dave Doeren said the finish "should never happen" and faulted Bailey for failing to protect the ball.
- ESPN Research put teams holding the ball with a lead in the final 10 seconds at 1,046-1 over the past 20 seasons, with Michigan's 2015 loss to Michigan State the only prior defeat.