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Wolfpack's Redshirt Freshman Hero Speaks After Upsetting Georgia Tech

Running back Duke Scott filled in for an injured Hollywood Smothers and helped the Wolfpack secure a victory over the No. 8 Yellow Jackets.
Tucker Sennett|
Nov 1, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Jayden Scott (4) runs the ball around Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker E.J. Lightsey (2) during the first quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Nov 1, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Jayden Scott (4) runs the ball around Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker E.J. Lightsey (2) during the first quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

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North Carolina State Wolfpack

RALEIGH — The next man up mentality that dominated NC State's talking points over the last three weeks with numerous injuries mounting up showed up in a major way as the Wolfpack upset No. 8 Georgia Tech.

The embodiment of that spirit on Saturday was redshirt freshman Duke Scott, who stepped up in the absence of star sophomore Hollywood Smothers. Scott finished with 196 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

The young tailback spoke to members of the media about his clutch performance and the team's signature win of the 2025 season.

Watch Scott's Press Conference

Notable Scott Quotes

Duke Scot
Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Jayden Scott (4) runs after a catch against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

On his mindset heading into the Georgia Tech game knowing he'd be the lead running back

  • "I knew I had to come with a different mindset. I knew I was going to carry over my game. I knew I was going to be physical. I was going to run as hard as I possibly could. I had a chip on my shoulder."
  • "I was doing it for Hollywood (Smothers). I knew he couldn't play. I knew there's nothing he would want to do more than to play, so I just knew I had to do it for him, too."

On getting an opportunity after redshirting

  • "It's a blessing. There's so much work that went on under the lights, stuff that wasn't really recognized in that time period, but I just knew I had to keep my head down and just pray on it and I'm just blessed to be here."

On giving the fans an opportunity to storm the field with the big upset

  • "It was awesome, especially being a part of it. You always see it on TV and all that stuff, the fans rushing the crowd. It was awesome to be a part of it. I got to take a lot of good pictures and just interact with fans."

On maintaining the two-possession lead for most of the game

  • "It's a 'bend, don't break' mentality, so when they would bend a little bit and didn't break, we knew on offense, we're going to make them pay for breaking."
  • "That was our whole mindset every time that they didn't capitalize on being in the red zone, where the defense held them. We knew we were going to strike back even harder."

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Tucker Sennett
TUCKER SENNETT

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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