Wake Forest rallies to defeat NC State 34-30 in thrilling finish

In Raleigh, North Carolina, Wake Forest overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure a 34-30 victory over NC State on Saturday. Demond Claiborne was pivotal in the win, scoring three touchdowns, including a crucial 3-yard run with just over a minute left in the game. He finished with 136 rushing yards on 20 carries and also caught a touchdown pass. The Demon Deacons' offense was balanced, accumulating 161 rushing yards and 154 passing yards, which helped them snap a three-game losing streak. NC State's starting quarterback, Grayson McCall, was injured in the first quarter, leading to CJ Bailey stepping in as the replacement. Despite Bailey throwing two touchdown passes, the Wolfpack could not maintain their lead and suffered their first home loss of the season. The game was marked by Wake Forest's resilience, as they executed a 13-play, 65-yard drive that included two successful fourth-down conversions. The injury to McCall was significant, as he had just returned to the starting position after a previous injury. His absence impacted NC State's ability to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, despite leading in total yards and third-down conversions. The loss left NC State struggling to find consistency, as they have yet to achieve back-to-back wins this season. Looking ahead, Wake Forest will face No. 15 Clemson at home, while NC State will host Syracuse, both teams hoping to improve their standings in the Atlantic Coast Conference.