Anderson Shines Bright in Wolfpack’s Tough Loss to Duke
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DURHAM, N.C. -- Even after a 45-33 loss to Duke, NC State still walked out of Wallace Wade Stadium with some bright spots. The offense continued to hang around the 31 points per game head coach Dave Doeren wanted the team to finish with in each game.
A major piece in the offensive performance was sophomore wide receiver Terrell Anderson. The young wideout started hot for the Wolfpack and continued to be a weapon against a Duke defense loaded with talented players.
In a game where sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey needed all the help he could get to try to keep the Wolfpack in the fight against Duke, Anderson provided it. The sophomore receiver finished the game with six receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
Starting Fast
NC State looked like it was going to start the game with a three-and-out after receiving the ball in the first quarter. Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper dialed up a jailbreak screen pass for Anderson from the Wolfpack's own 25-yard line, likely in hopes of getting some extra yards to set up an easier punt.
Anderson had other ideas. The sophomore shot out of traffic created by his blockers like a cannonball and immediately left two Duke defenders in the secondary behind. He scampered down the field for a 75-yard touchdown and put the Wolfpack up 7-0 before Duke could even blink.
North Carolina State vs Duke
— CFB Depth - RCoacher (@CoacherRyan) September 20, 2025
NC State strikes first. 75-yard TD catch and run from Terrell Anderson.#1Pack1Goal | #GoDuke | #CFB pic.twitter.com/TGRbR1bLL8
What's Better Than One Touchdown?
Roper and Bailey enjoyed feeding the hot hand in the first three games. In the opener, the quarterback felt comfortable going to senior wide receiver Wesley Grimes. Against Virginia, running back Hollywood Smothers shouldered the load with some help from wideout Noah Rogers in the passing game. Sophomore receiver Keenan Jackson and senior tight end Justin Joly stole the show with some big catches against Wake Forest. It was Anderson's turn to be the top target on Saturday.
To cap off an impressive nine-minute drive for the Wolfpack offense, Anderson floated across the middle and found enough open space to force Bailey to send the ball his way. He caught his second touchdown, this one for just six yards, to put the Wolfpack up 14-7 in the second quarter.
CJ Bailey finds Terrell Anderson for his 2nd TD of the day, and the Wolfpack regain the lead! @PackFootball | @PackAthletics | #1Pack1Goalpic.twitter.com/DFE7PARxAm
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 20, 2025
Monumental Day
Anderson finished the first half with 129 yards, hauling in one more impressive pass from Bailey down the sideline before the game fell apart for the Wolfpack on a costly interception. The receiver remained effective in the second half, catching two passes for 37 yards while trying to keep the Wolfpack alive as the defense unraveled late.
His last catch helped him finish with the most receiving yards in a game for the Wolfpack since Kelvin Harmon racked up 247 yards on 11 catches against Syracuse in 2018. Oddly enough, both receivers walked away with losses in the games, with their heroics coming up short.
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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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