Vanderbilt football delivered the zaniest finish of week three against North Carolina State. Now NC State head coach Dave Doeren offered an explanation on quarterback CJ Bailey's botched safety attempt.
On the final play, Bailey faced a fourth-and-seven with the Wolfpack offense. The quarterback backed into the end zone and appeared to try and take a knee. Except the Commodores surrounded him for the sack pursuit. Bailey coughed the football up, with the ball recovered in the end zone by Vandy to seal the stunning win.
Doeren immediately got asked what went wrong, but also what was supposed to happen on Bailey's end.
âÂÂIt's a play where you roll out and you try not to get tackled,â Doeren said in explaining the call. âÂÂYou try to burn as much time as you can. Then you fall on the ground and protect the football. And you get hit and didn't protect the football.âÂÂ
Full response from NC State head coach Dave Doeren regarding CJ Bailey fumbling in the endzone attempting to run out the clock:
Doeren moves to 1-8 at NC State against the SEC, one second away from clinching the first power conference win for the Pack away from home since 2002. pic.twitter.com/UVw1L3nIZC
â Charlie Gribble (@Charlie_Grib) September 19, 2026
The NC State head coach acknowledged they tried to take the safety and waste the remaining seven seconds in the contest.
âÂÂBut there's no intent to run the football and get hit on the play,â Doeren said.
This story will be updated.