The Wolfpack got back in the win column Saturday afternoon after beating Louisiana Tech by a score of 30-20 from Carter-Finley Stadium.

With starting quarterback Grayson McCall leaving the game with an injury in the second quarter, true freshman CJ Bailey came in and led NC State to victory, finishing with 156 yards on 13-20 passing and running it for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Seven different Wolfpack receivers got their hands on the ball, with Dacari Collins leading the way with three receptions for 55 yards. Justin Joly hauled in two catches for 48 yards, and Noah Rogers had three receptions for 37 yards.

The run game found their rhythm as NC State totaled 151 yards on the ground on 36 attempts and two touchdowns. Kendrick Raphael, who had 63 yards and a score, led the way and was followed by Jordan Waters with 36 yards.

Defensively, Wolfpack linebacker Caden Fordham recorded 11 total tackles and recovered a fumble that he nearly returned for a touchdown.

The Wolfpack took advantage of a Louisiana Tech turnover as Fordham picked up and recovered a muffed snap, setting up the NC State offense in Bulldog territory. NC State capitalized on the game's first points with a 39-yard field goal from Kanoah Vinesett.

Vinesett would convert his second field goal of the game, a 35-yard field goal, to give the Wolfpack a 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs responded with a touchdown drive to take a 7-6 lead.

Louisiana Tech extended its lead in one play after forcing NC State off the field with a 71-yard strike from Jack Turner to Tru Edwards, making it 14-6. An interception from Bailey gave the ball back to the Bulldogs, who capitalized with a 57-yard field goal just before halftime to make it 17-6.

The Wolfpack defense came out of the halftime break, causing havoc, as Davin Vann got to the quarterback, forcing a throw right to DK Kaufman, who returned it for a touchdown to put the Pack within four points.

It was the first time since 2011 that the Wolfpack had interceptions returned for touchdowns in back-to-back games, with Aydan White returning a pick against Tennessee last week.

With the Bulldogs on the NC State two-yard line, the Wolfpack defense stood tall in the third quarter, holding the visitors to a field goal, which tied the game at 20-20.

Vinesett gave the Wolfpack a 23-20 lead with a career-long 52-yard field goal with 12:32 left in the game, and the Wolfpack would not allow Louisiana to score the rest of the way.

Scoring his first touchdown in a Wolfpack uniform was Bailey from one yard out to put NC State up double digits and seal the victory. The Wolfpack moves to 3-0 all-time against Louisiana Tech.