Jacoby Brissett, NC State Deliver Stunning Upsets Days Apart
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RALEIGH — While NC State's upset victory over then No. 8 Georgia Tech dominated the news cycle for Wolfpack football fans on Saturday, it wasn't the only upset with ties to the program in those 48 hours.
Former NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett led the Arizona Cardinals to a surprising Monday Night Football upset win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Brissett, still filling in for the injured Kyler Murray, finally got a win in his third start for the Cardinals just days after his mentee, sophomore CJ Bailey, played the best game of his young NC State career.
How Brissett Pulled It Off
The Cardinals' starter continued to take care of the football and be an efficient passer. The Cowboys' struggling defense presented Brissett with more opportunities to take shots, particularly to ascending wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. He hit Harrison seven times for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Brissett finished the game with 261 yards passing, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. He completed 21 of his 31 pass attempts and protected the ball despite being sacked five times. He did fumble the ball once, but recovered his own mistake. The former Wolfpacker now has 860 passing yards, six passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in his three starts.
In 3 starts with the Cardinals, Jacoby Brissett has:
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) November 4, 2025
completed 65% of his passes
thrown for 850+ yards
thrown 6+ TD passes
rushed for a TD
The only other NFL QB to do that over his first 3 starts with a team was Kurt Warner with the Rams in 1999. pic.twitter.com/bNC0np4CWl
Brissett's consistent performances sparked discussion about the fit of Murray in Arizona. Before the 27-17 win over the Cowboys, the former NC State signal caller didn't have a win on his resume, but checked that box on Monday with his strong showing. As for Murray's role moving forward, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is still committed to the former Heisman winner over Brissett.
"Nothing's changed on that," Gannon said.
Gannon answered a follow up question as to why by saying, "That's how I feel."
Jacoby Brissett in the last 3 games:
— PFF (@PFF) November 4, 2025
🔺 867 passing yards
🔺 7 total touchdowns
🔺 76.0% adjusted completion rate pic.twitter.com/xfHYjsH2sW
Brissett isn't paying attention to any such noise. Like his college coach, Dave Doeren, ignoring retirement or job security rumors over the last two weeks, Brissett remains committed to winning at all costs.
"I don't get into that stuff, man. I'm just trying to go out here, win the game, be a good teammate and do the best that I can when I get my opportunity," he said after the game.
Things changed Tuesday, however. The Cardinals opted to name Brissett the starting quarterback officially, according to Ian Rapoport. The Wolfpack pro will get his chance without the stress of being replaced any week.
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Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.
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