CJ Bailey's Thoughts on Notre Dame and Wolfpack's Confidence

The sophomore quarterback is coming off his best performance as a member of the Wolfpack.

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

RALEIGH — NC State quarterback CJ Bailey is set for his greatest test as a member of the Wolfpack. The sophomore will try to lead the Wolfpack offense into Notre Dame Stadium and steal a win from the No. 16 Fighting Irish.

In a dominant Week 6 win over Campbell, Bailey put together what may have been his best performance in an NC State uniform. He threw four touchdowns and finished with 337 yards passing and an 87% completion rate.

Bailey spoke to the media Tuesday as the team prepares for Notre Dame throughout the week in Raleigh before leaving for Indiana.

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What Did Bailey Have To Say?

Oct 4, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) prepares to throw the ball during the first half of the game against Campbell Fighting Camels at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

On what Notre Dame brings to the matchup defensively

• "We'll see a lot of man. A lot of base defense. We're ready to attack them as normal, as we'd attack any team. We're ready to get the run game going, ready to get the pass game going, ready to win it."

• "They're really athletic, you could say that. They do rely on their defensive backs to make plays for them. Their front four win battles, which is not going to happen."

Sep 27, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) warms up during the warmups of the game against Virginia Tech Hokies at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

His evaluaiton of his own performance through the first six weeks of the season

• "I feel like I've got a lot of steps to take. There's a lot of things I could've done better throughout this stretch. I feel like through these games, I've been growing. I actually have been taking steps, but I've got to take my play way higher for us to win more games."

Oh man CJ Bailey pic.twitter.com/EPyLsZ3BBz

— Jad Kurosaki (MetLife should be grass!) (@sIotreceiver) October 4, 2025

On whether certain teams or stadiums play a factor in the team's mindset

• "We just play the team. If we think it's going to be rowdy ... Any away game that we have, we prepare by bringing loud speakers in and playing loud music before snaps and stuff just to prepare. Just in case we can't hear, whatever the case may be which won't happen."

On where he wants to improve in the second half of the season

• "Just staying consistent throughout the game. Those first halves in all of the games, I've been damn-near perfect. I just want to continue to have that in the second half, just staying the same. Being consistent."

Oct 4, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11), linebacker Caden Fordham (1), wide receiver Keenan Jackson (8) and offensive lineman Jr. Anthony Carter (75) walk out for the coin toss prior to the first half of the game against Campbell Fighting Camels at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

On if any extra motivation going against Notre Dame on the road

• "I feel like I just go in the same way. That's just my mentality. I treat every game the same. Even last week, I was the same way as I am right now. I was ready to play."

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