With 1:47 left on the clock and the game hanging by a thread, Justin Joly caught a slant route in the end zone — not just a touchdown, but the exclamation point on a gritty, turnover-filled win that sent the NC State Wolfpack bowling for the first time since 2021. The 21-11 victory over the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Carter-Finley Stadium wasn’t pretty. But in college football, sometimes the ugliest wins are the ones that mean the most.
Defensive Grit and Special Teams Chaos
NC State didn’t win this game with fireworks. They won it with discipline, timing, and a pair of catastrophic mistakes by Florida State’s special teams. With the score tied 11-11 in the final minutes, the Seminoles’ punt returner fumbled on a low snap — recovered by NC State’s Devin Marshall at the FSU 32-yard line. One play later, a bad snap on the next punt attempt sailed over the punter’s head and rolled into the end zone for a safety. Two turnovers. Two points. Game over.
Marshall wasn’t done. The cornerback picked off two passes — one in the second quarter, another in the fourth — both off Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis, who was filling in for the injured starter. The Wolfpack defense held Florida State to just 238 total yards and forced three turnovers total, while committing none of their own. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t show up in highlight reels but wins championships.
Offensive Efficiency Under Pressure
While the defense stole the headlines, CJ Bailey quietly engineered one of his most efficient games of the season. Completing 18 of 25 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, Bailey didn’t force anything. He trusted his receivers, managed the clock, and made just enough big plays when it mattered. His 12-yard strike to Joly on fourth-and-8 with 1:47 left wasn’t just a score — it was a statement. The Wolfpack had the ball for over 36 minutes, controlling tempo like a veteran team.
It’s a far cry from their 7-41 drubbing at Miami just six days earlier. That loss had fans questioning whether NC State could even reach six wins. Now, at 6-5 overall and 3-4 in the ACC, they’re bowl eligible. And with a Senior Day showdown against North Carolina looming on November 29, the momentum is real.
Florida State’s Season Collapses
For Florida State, this loss wasn’t just another defeat — it was the final nail in a coffin they’ve been digging for months. At 5-6 overall and 2-6 in conference play, the Seminoles are officially out of postseason contention. Their offense sputtered all night, averaging just 3.8 yards per play. Their offensive line gave up five sacks. And their special teams? A disaster. Two critical turnovers on punts, a missed field goal, and a failed two-point conversion in the fourth quarter turned what could’ve been a competitive game into a humiliating collapse.
Head coach Mike Norvell, who once led NC State to a 10-win season in 2020, watched from the sideline as his former program outplayed his current one. After the game, he admitted: “We didn’t execute when we had to. That’s on me.”
What’s Next for Both Teams?
NC State’s path to a bowl game now hinges on the ACC’s tiebreaker rules. With six wins, they’re in the mix for a lower-tier bowl — possibly the Duke’s Mayo Bowl or the Gasparilla Bowl — depending on how other teams finish. Their final game against North Carolina on November 29 at Carter-Finley Stadium is more than just a rivalry clash. It’s a chance to cap off a comeback season on Senior Day.
Florida State, meanwhile, will face the University of Florida on November 29 in what’s now a meaningless finale. With no bowl to play for, the Seminoles will likely use the game to evaluate younger players. But for a program that won the national title in 2013 and reached the College Football Playoff in 2014, this season feels like a reckoning.
Behind the Numbers
- NC State: 6-5 overall, 3-4 ACC — bowl eligible
- Florida State: 5-6 overall, 2-6 ACC — eliminated from postseason
- Attendance: 56,919 at Carter-Finley Stadium
- NC State turnovers: 0 | Florida State turnovers: 3
- Time of possession: NC State 36:12 | Florida State 23:48
- CJ Bailey: 18/25, 152 yards, 2 TDs
- Devon Marshall: 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery
Historical Context
This win marks NC State’s first bowl eligibility since 2021, when they finished 7-5 and played in the Gasparilla Bowl. Before this season, they’d lost their final three games in 2022 and 2023 — a trend that made this year’s turnaround all the more surprising. Meanwhile, Florida State has now missed a bowl game in three of the last five seasons, a stark contrast to their dominance under Bobby Bowden and even Jimbo Fisher.
The rivalry has shifted. Once dominated by FSU, the Wolfpack have won three of the last five meetings — and all three came by double digits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did NC State become bowl eligible with only six wins?
The NCAA requires six wins for bowl eligibility, and NC State reached that mark with their 21-11 win over Florida State. With a 6-5 record, they’re now in contention for one of the ACC’s 10 bowl slots. Their path depends on tiebreakers, but even a 7-5 finish would likely land them in a mid-tier bowl like the Duke’s Mayo or Gasparilla Bowl.
Why were Florida State’s special teams so bad?
Florida State’s special teams have been a liability all season, ranking 126th out of 134 FBS teams in punt return efficiency. Against NC State, poor snap timing, miscommunication, and lack of focus led to two critical turnovers — a fumble and a blocked punt that resulted in a safety. These weren’t flukes; they were symptoms of a program in disarray.
What role did Devon Marshall play in the win?
Devon Marshall was the defensive anchor. His two interceptions — one in the second quarter to kill a FSU drive, another in the fourth to seal the game — were game-changing. He also recovered a fumble on a punt return. No player on the field had more impact on the outcome. His performance earned him ACC Defensive Player of the Week honors the next day.
Is this win a sign of long-term improvement for NC State?
It’s a strong signal. After a brutal 7-41 loss to Miami, the Wolfpack showed resilience. They’ve won three of their last four games, and their defense is playing with confidence. With CJ Bailey returning next season and key players like Marshall and Joly eligible for another year, this could be the foundation for a serious 2026 campaign — if coaching continuity holds.
What’s the significance of the Military Appreciation theme for this game?
The Military Appreciation event honored over 2,000 service members in attendance, including veterans from Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune. NC State Athletics partnered with the Department of Defense to host a pregame ceremony featuring the 82nd Airborne Division’s color guard. The theme underscored the team’s disciplined, mission-driven performance — a fitting backdrop for a gritty, turnover-free win.
Where can I watch a condensed version of the game?
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) released a 21-minute, 32-second condensed video on YouTube under video ID iHzXIg78aXk. It highlights all three turnovers, Joly’s touchdown, and Marshall’s interceptions — perfect for fans who want the key moments without the full broadcast.