NC State QB CJ Bailey addresses costly fumble vs. Vanderbilt

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey said Wednesday he was trying to run out the clock in the end zone when he fumbled with one second left against Vanderbilt, leading to a Commodores touchdown and shocking 35-31 loss for the Wolfpack last weekend.

In his first comments since the mistake, Bailey told local reporters in Raleigh, North Carolina, "I was trying to get all the clock out. That was my thought. The biggest thing was just hold the ball. I was just trying to run around, make a play. Being competitive, that's who I am. I'm a competitive guy. I was just competing until the final second. It happens. I fumbled the ball. I'm going to pick myself up and keep going."

NC State led 31-28 with six seconds left, facing a fourth down on its 5-yard line. NC State coach Dave Doeren said Saturday the play was intended to burn as much time as possible "then fall to the ground and protect the football. He got hit, and he didn't protect the football."

Bailey said the coaches "told me a lot of things" before the final play. Though they ran the play before in practice, Bailey said it was the first time he had faced that exact situation.

"That was my first time ever in that situation and it didn't go the right way I wanted to," Bailey said. "I fumbled the ball. It is what it is. We've got to move forward."

Bailey said he addressed the team afterward, telling them they had a long season to go and "so many more plays that we can make."

He said his coaches, teammates and family have supported him as he works to put that play behind him.

NC State has had a tough start to the season. Bailey, in his third year as a starter, played perhaps the worst game of his career in a 34-8 loss to Virginia to open the year, throwing for 84 yards with an interception. He played much better against Vanderbilt, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns, but the final play has overshadowed that.

The Wolfpack host App State on Saturday before resuming ACC play against Louisville on Oct. 3.

"This year has been a tough year," Bailey said. "I learned a lot in this year of who my friends are, how big my circle is, how a lot of things have changed for me. It's a learning lesson for me. It's a part of growing up. I had to grow up at a fast age. I stepped in as a freshman, and I had to grow up since then. For all this to happen, you have to look at the good in everything. I looked at the good in that situation and now I'm understanding how things work."