Football
By MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — CJ Bailey passed for 306 yards and two touchdowns, including a 41-yarder to Hollywood Smothers in the fourth quarter, rallying North Carolina State to a 24-23 win over California on Saturday.
Bailey had an uneven day and was under a lot of pressure from the Bears’ defense before leading the Wolfpack on their winning drive. The freshman quarterback completed 25 of 36 passes to help North Carolina State (4-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) win a game they were mostly outplayed in.
“He doesn’t flinch,” North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren said. “He stays positive and he’s just got that it factor when it comes to how he manages things and overcomes. Even when he makes a bad play it doesn’t rattle him.”
The Wolfpack trailed 23-10 and hadn’t been able to find much rhythm to their offense until the final quarter.
After a fumble on a muffed punt return set up Bailey’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Dacari Collins that cut Cal’s lead to 23-17, N.C. State’s defense held up and got the ball back after forcing the Bears to punt.
Bailey was at his best on that drive, completing four of seven attempts for 80 yards including the game-winner to Smothers with 6:32 remaining.
“It feels really great to know that I have good play-makers and good guys around me,” Bailey said. “I was taking sacks that I didn’t have to take.”
Smothers said the Wolfpack are gaining confidence in Bailey almost daily.
“It comes natural to him,” Smothers said. “Gotta keep believing in him. He’s going to get the job done. CJ (has) everything he needs to be great.”
Cal missed a chance to win when freshman kicker…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Atlantic Coast Conference…