Dude, if you missed Week 3 of college football, you missed some WILD stuff. NC State was up 24-7 late in the third quarter against Vanderbilt, then again 31-21 late in the fourth after a CJ Bailey touchdown pass. They had it WON. Backed up on their own goal line with the game slipping away, all the Wolfpack needed was to take a safety, and the game would have been over. What happened instead is something fans will talk about for years, maybe forever.
Vandy’s All-Timer and NC State’s Nightmare
Vanderbilt pulled within three points in the waning seconds, but it was still NC State’s game to lose, literally. With the ball on their own goal line, the Wolfpack had the win in hand if they just took a safety. But nope. Vanderbilt forced a fumble in those final moments, recovered it right there in the end zone, and snatched a 35-31 victory. Seriously, what just happened?!?! It still seems impossible.
This play isn’t just a highlight, it’s a gut punch for NC State, who now sits at 1-2. They get App State next before a tough matchup with Louisville. For Vanderbilt, though? They are now 3-0, unbeaten, despite being outplayed by NC State and not looking amazing in their first two games against Austin Peay and Delaware. Now they dive into SEC play at Auburn with a perfect record. That’s a story you can’t make up.
Kentucky Shocks A&M, Crushing Early Playoff Dreams
Over in the SEC, Kentucky absolutely shocked Texas A&M with a 31-21 win. A&M scored first, but then Kentucky just rolled, putting up 28 straight points. Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey was on fire, going 14-for-18 for 252 yards and two touchdowns, with CJ Baxter adding some crucial runs. Their defense was solid, too, holding firm when it mattered most. That 52-yard bomb of a field goal by Adam Zouagui to go up by 17 was just icing on the cake. Coach Will Stein’s “because of me” comment from the offseason, where he promised Kentucky would be better, looks pretty prophetic right now. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman pitched a gem against his old team, too.
This loss for Texas A&M, however, makes their College Football Playoff hopes incredibly difficult, and it’s only Week 3! With road games against LSU, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and Oklahoma still on the schedule, plus home games against Texas and Tennessee, this L stings extra hard. Good luck with that gauntlet, Aggies.
Talk about a wild ride for these teams! Vanderbilt, now 3-0, heads into SEC play against Auburn with some serious momentum, feeling like they can do anything. NC State, at 1-2, has to pick up the pieces against App State before a challenging game against Louisville. And Texas A&M? Their dreams of a College Football Playoff spot just got a whole lot harder after that Kentucky loss, especially with a brutal schedule ahead. It’s only Week 3, but the stakes are already through the roof!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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