NC State battles Wake Forest in ACC college football action
By Ethan Hyman
The N.C. State Wolfpack went down early to Wake Forest only to rally to tie the score at the end of the first quarter, Thursday night, Sept. 11, 2025. The Wolfpack went on to defeat the Deacons 34-24 after shutting down the Wake Forest offense in the second half.
The Wolfpack goes to 3-0 and the Deacons fall to 2-1 so far this season.
N.C. State running back Hollywood Smothers (3) tries to break free from Wake Forest defenders during the second half of N.C. State’s 34-24 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Caden Fordham (1) wraps up Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (1) during the second half of N.C. State’s 34-24 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Wolfpack fans cheer on the team during the second half of N.C. State’s 34-24 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State running back Duke Scott (4) hits Wake Forest defensive back Davaughn Patterson (5) as he gains yards during the second half of N.C. StateÕs 34-24 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren hugs Ronnie Royal III (2) after N.C. State’s 34-24 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver Terrell Anderson (9) hurdles over Wake Forest defensive back Zamari Stevenson (17) during the second half of N.C. State’s 34-24 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State defensive end Isaiah Shirley (88) celebrates while returning a interception for a touchdown during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver Noah Rogers (5) gets tripped up after making a reception during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver Terrell Anderson (9) hurdles over Wake Forest defensive back Zamari Stevenson (17) during the second half of N.C. State’s 34-24 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Wake Forest’s Chris Barnes (10) returns the kickoff for a touchdown during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne (1) is lifted up after scoring a touchdown in the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren walks the sideline in the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey (11) throws downfield while be chased by Wake Forest’s Gabe Kirschke (10) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State running back Hollywood Smothers (3) gains yards during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford (2) throws during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State defensive end Travali Price (13) waits to head onto the field to warmup before N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State tight end Justin Joly (7) gets ready to head out onto the field to warmup before N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM.
