 North Carolina State Wolfpack |
33 |
 Duke Blue Devils |
45 |
| Final | |
Durham, N.C. — NC State’s undefeated start was undone by turnovers, special teams mistakes and a defense that couldn’t stop Duke on Saturday in Durham.
The Blue Devils defeated their rivals from Raleigh 45-33 in a wild affair for their fifth win in their last six games against NC State.
Quarterback Darian Mensah had three touchdown passes, defensive end Wesley Williams contributed a blocked field goal and a fumble recovery, and running back Anderson Castle had three touchdowns, including a game-clinching 66-yard run late in the fourth quarter.
The game turned late in the first half on an interception and long return by Duke linebacker Tre Freeman. NC State led 20-14 and was on the verge of additional points facing a fourth-and-2 on the Duke 24, but a shotgun snap seemed to catch quarterback CJ Bailey and most of the NC State offense off-guard. Bailey’s rushed pass went directly to Freeman.
Duke (2-2, 1-0 in the ACC) capitalized on the turnover with a touchdown with 16 seconds left in the half for a 21-20 lead — its first of the game. NC State (3-1, 1-1 in the ACC) had rallied from halftime deficits in each of its last two victories, but couldn’t do it again.
Duke scored on the first possession of the second half, its third TD in less than four minutes of game time. NC State led 20-7 in the first half, but Duke scored 38 of the game’s final 51 points.
The Wolfpack put up more than 500 yards of total offense and some gaudy individual performances, but had four turnovers and several miscues in the kicking game. Duke, which snaped a two-game losing streak, didn’t turn the ball over.
NC State missed an extra point in the first half, had a field goal blocked and committed a critical penalty on punt coverage that allowed Duke to go for it on fourth down (and convert).
Bailey threw for 364 yards and two touchdowns, but threw three interceptions and had a fumble. Wide receiver Terrell Anderson had 166 yards and two scores, including a 75-yarder on the game’s first possession. Running back Hollywood Smothers rushed for 123 yards and a score for the Wolfpack. Freshman quarterback Will Wilson added two short rushing touchdowns.
NC State’s Terrell Anderson scores during the Wolfpack’s game at Duke on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jack Morton)
Scoring summary
First quarter
NCSU – Terrell Anderson 75 pass from CJ Bailey (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 14:10. Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 0:45. Key play: Bailey connected with Anderson on a screen pass on third-and-11. NC State 7, Duke 0.
Duke – Anderson Castle 2 run (Todd Pelino kick), 10:49. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 3:16. Key play: Quarterback Darian Mensah completed a pass to Jeremiah Hasley for 21 yards on fourth-and-4 at the NC State 37. Duke had planned to punt on fourth-and-9, but a Wolfpack penalty led the Blue Devils to go for it. NC State 7, Duke 7.
Second quarter
NCSU – Anderson 6 pass from Bailey (Vinesett kick), 14:18. Drive: 16 plays, 99 yards, 9:13. Key play: Bailey hit Keenan Jackson for seven yards on third-and-6 at the Duke 24 to keep the drive alive. NC State 14, Duke 7.
NCSU – Will Wilson 1 run (kick missed), 5:45. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:54. Key play: Facing fourth-and-1 at its 29, NC State converted a fake punt attempt on a run by Cody Hardy. NC State 20, Duke 7.
Duke – Landen King 17 pass from Darian Mensah (Pelino kick), 2:20. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:20. Key play: Mensah connected with Que’Sean Brown for 15 yards on third-and-10 from the Duke 28. NC State 20, Duke 14.
Duke – Castle 1 run (Pelino kick), 0:16. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:29. Key play: Tre Freeman intercepted a Bailey pass and returned its 67 yards to the NC State 12. Duke 21, NC State 20.
Third quarter
Duke – Sahmir Hagans 33 pass from Mensah (Pelino kick), 13:30. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:30. Key play: Duke’s first three plays went for 18 yards, nine yards and 15 yards before the touchdown. Duke 28, NC State 20.
NC State – Hollywood Smothers 51 run (run failed), 11:53. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:37. Key play: Bailey completed a 16-yard pass to Noah Rogers on second-and-10. Duke 28, NC State 26.
Duke – Cooper Barkate 37 pass from Mensah (Pelino kick), 8:32. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:21. Key play: Mensah carried out a play-action fake on fourth-and-1 and found Barkate behind the NC State defense. Duke 35, NC State 26.
