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NC State vs. Campbell: Wolfpack Offense Explodes in 56-10 Victory Raleigh, North Carolina The NC State Wolfpack delivered a performance of dominant offensive efficiency, decisively defeating the Campbell Fighting Camels 56-10 in a Saturday afternoon football fixture at Carter-Finley Stadium. The victory, marked by a prolific first-half scoring run, served as a crucial reset for the Wolfpack (4-2, 1-2 ACC) following two consecutive losses, while the Camels (1-5, 0-2 CAA) continued to seek their first ever win against an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent. The result was never truly in doubt after the opening minutes, with NC State accumulating an impressive 49-7 lead by half-time. The Wolfpack’s starting offensive unit executed eight straight touchdown drives across the first two and a half quarters, showcasing a level of explosive play that had been missing in recent weeks. Explosive Plays and Quarterback Efficiency The foundation of NC State’s attack rested on the high-level efficiency of sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey and the electric running ability of Daylan “Hollywood” Smothers. Bailey enjoyed a career-high day for touchdown passes, throwing four scores while completing 20 of 23 attempts for 337 yards before exiting in the third quarter. His ability to connect on deep shots down the field was notably improved, a development that head coach Dave Doeren attributed directly to the threat posed by the running game. Running back Smothers, whose season rushing average ranks among the nation's leaders, was highly efficient, compiling 123 yards on just four carries, including a dynamic 59-yard touchdown run.
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Smothers also added a touchdown reception, highlighting his dual threat capacity that stretched the Campbell defence throughout the game. “We needed to play well, and we needed to take another step,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said post-match, addressing the need for improvement after a difficult patch. “With Hollywood in the backfield, it creates opportunities to throw the ball down the field. People have to kind of pick what they want, and when they load up the box, we have to be able to capitalize on those one-on-ones. ” Campbell’s Moment of Reply The Campbell Camels, an FCS programme located just 35 miles from Raleigh, managed to strike early after capitalising on an NC State special teams error. A fumbled punt return deep in Wolfpack territory gave the Camels possession at the 14-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Kamden Sixkiller connected with Mike Chandler II for a 13-yard touchdown pass, briefly levelling the score at 7-7. However, that proved to be the peak of their resistance against the superior size and depth of the FBS opponent. Campbell coach Braxton Harris acknowledged the disparity and the lessons learned by his squad.
“When we don't do our job, really good football teams make you pay,” Harris commented after the game. “And that’s what the first half was. We have to be better fundamentally, but I am proud of the way our players kept fighting. ” The Camels' scoring was limited to that first-quarter touchdown and a 46-yard field goal in the final quarter, set up by a late interception, demonstrating the resilience of their defence despite the heavy deficit. Defensive Focus and Future Outlook Beyond the offensive surge, the fixture provided NC State with an opportunity to address defensive issues, particularly in tackling, which had been a weakness in their previous outing. The Wolfpack defense appeared more disciplined, holding Campbell to 205 total yards of offence for the day. A point of particular note came at the start of the third quarter, when Doeren elected to keep the starting units on the field despite the overwhelming lead. He explained the decision was driven by a desire to install a better habit of finishing games, regardless of the scoreline. “We haven't been a team that has finished people this year,” Doeren noted, highlighting a recurring challenge in recent tight contests.
“I wanted the starters in there on the first drive of the second half, both sides of the ball, to score on offence and get a stop on defence. That’s what we need to do. ” For Campbell, the game represented their first-ever meeting against the Wolfpack and their third historical encounter with an ACC team. Despite the defeat, the high-profile fixture generated a sellout crowd of nearly 57,000, setting a new record for attendance at a Campbell football game. They will now return to Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play next week. The NC State Wolfpack now pivot to a significant challenge, preparing for an away fixture against the nationally ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The dominant showing against Campbell provides necessary momentum and statistical confidence, but analysts suggest the team's ability to maintain the improved offensive execution and defensive discipline against a top-tier opponent will define the success of the second half of their season. — Reporting by the BBC News Sports Team.
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