Social Media Reacts to NC State's Week 3 Win

The NC State Wolfpack beat Wake Forest 34-24 to open up ACC conference play. Fans share their thoughts.

Sep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren walks his team out on the field against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images | Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images

NC State starts off the season 3-0 with a 34-24 win over Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. It's the first conference game for the Wolfpack, as well as the first road game for the team in the 2025 season. NC State faced another rocky start, but managed to come back.

Dave Doeren improves his record against Wake Forest to 7-6 in his time as the Wolfpack's head coach. It was the 119th meeting between the two schools, and NC State improves to 3-0, while Wake Forest falls to 2-1.

Sep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren walks his team out on the field against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images | Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images

Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey had another efficient night passing the ball, going 23-for-32, 201 yards and three touchdowns. The biggest factor? Another turnover-free night for the young quarterback.

Every quarterback needs his offensive weapon to lean on when things get rough. For Bailey, it's been redshirt sophomore Hollywood Smothers and for the first time this season, senior tight end Justin Joly. Smothers ran for 163 yards, a career high, and Joly caught two touchdown passes, a career high as well.

It was another bumpy road for NC State, facing another deficit at halftime, 24-17, but the team rallied at halftime just like last week against Virginia and did so again in Winston-Salem.

Social Media Reacts

CJ Bailey performance

Sep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) throws a pass in first half against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images | Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images

Bailey set a career high in touchdown passes with three against Wake Forest. The young signal caller maneuvered the pocket like a pro, remained calm, and led the offense with poise in his third start of his sophomore campaign.

With a third strong performance under his belt, Wolfpack fans are buying into the hype of Bailey.

3-0. Cj Bailey is a stud.. keep it rolling

— Luke Hudler (@lukehudler3) September 12, 2025

CJ Bailey is the goods

— Obi-WanKenobi 3rd Cousin (@I_AmLilMan) September 12, 2025

CJ Bailey is so fun to watch man. He just slings the rock

— Cody (@SmashHitsSports) September 12, 2025

I tried telling y’all about CJ Bailey… pic.twitter.com/zW2Ijs3ag7

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 12, 2025

Hollywood Smothers runs for over 100-yards again

It feels like we may say this every week, but the way Smothers is running the rock it wouldn't be surprising. The shifty back was a problem for the Demon Deacons defense for the night averaging 6.7 yards a carry.

N.C. State RB Hollywood Smothers vs Wake Forest:

🐺 24 ATT
🐺 164 YDS@PackFootball pic.twitter.com/tFHaaujuEz

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 12, 2025

Hollywood Smothers hall of fame name

— Al (@JamesonAl67) September 12, 2025

Hollywood Smothers is an absolute dawg #Wolfpack 🐺

— Chris (@Chris1213262502) September 12, 2025

Wolfpack scary start

NC State faced a 14-0 deficit in a matter of minutes thanks to Wake Forest redshrit freshman receiver Chris Barnes. He returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and on the first Wake Forest drive caught a 70-yard pass to set up the Demon Deacons in scoring position.

The Wolfpack were quickly on upset alert.

Chris Barnes set the tone early — taking it 98 yards to the house on the opening play to start the game with a bang! 🏈🔥 https://t.co/Nh5DrJOQKq

— CarimOnChain (@elcarim_king) September 12, 2025

NC State can’t do a thing to stop Chris Barnes right now pic.twitter.com/UUVR93wIYv

— Zach Reger (@zachreger18) September 12, 2025

Chris Barnes is giving NC St hell

— Football szn Posa (@justposa) September 11, 2025

It's been three straight weeks of NC State showcasing it's ability to respond to adversity. The team is battle-tested and has relied on it's leaders when challenges arise. Bailey, Smothers and graduate linebacker Caden Fordham have shown outstanding leadership in the early 2025 season.

Their next opportunity to showcase that leadership will be on the road against Duke on Sept. 20.

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