TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — North Carolina State seized control with a dominant first half and never looked back, defeating Memphis 31-7 on Friday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.

The Wolfpack scored on its opening drive and never trailed, overwhelming the Tigers with a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense that forced key turnovers. The victory evened both teams’ season records at 8-5.

North Carolina State quarterback CJ Bailey, a 6-foot-6 sophomore from Miami, Florida, orchestrated the win, completing 14 of 25 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing score, showcasing the dual-threat ability that kept the Memphis defense off balance.

The most important sequence of the game occurred late in the first quarter and bled into the second, turning a competitive contest into a rout. With the score tied 7-7, Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis, who had shown flashes with his legs, attempted a pass from his own territory. Wolfpack linebacker Caden Fordham intercepted the throw at the North Carolina State 42-yard line and returned it 55 yards to the Memphis 3.

Two plays later, Wolfpack quarterback Will Wilson powered in from 1 yard out on the first snap of the second quarter, giving North Carolina State a 14-7 lead it would not relinquish. The turnover and subsequent touchdown ignited a 24-point outburst for the Wolfpack across the first and second quarters, while the Memphis offense sputtered.

Memphis’s lone score came on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to Jamari Hawkins with 4:59 remaining in the second quarter. That briefly cut the deficit to 24-7, but any momentum was extinguished just before halftime. Bailey connected with Teddy Hoffmann on a 40-yard touchdown strike with 1:28 left in the half, pushing the lead to 31-7 and effectively sealing the outcome.

The second half was a defensive struggle, with neither team reaching the end zone. North Carolina State’s defense, led by linebackers Kenny Soares Jr. (12 tackles) and Caden Fordham (13 tackles, one interception), consistently harassed Memphis quarterbacks and limited big plays. Lewis finished 14 of 25 for 106 yards, one touchdown and one interception, adding 51 rushing yards on 11 carries. Backup AJ Hill completed 6 of 7 passes for 48 yards in relief.

Wolfpack running back Jayden Scott provided a steady ground game, rushing for 108 yards on 19 carries. His work helped North Carolina State maintain possession and control the clock, particularly after establishing its large lead. Wesley Grimes was Bailey’s top target, catching three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

For Memphis, Hawkins was a bright spot, scoring the touchdown and totaling 91 return yards. The Tigers’ defense, led by linebackers Drue Watts, Sam Brumfield and safety Chris Bracy—each with seven tackles—battled but was ultimately worn down by the Wolfpack’s persistent offensive drives and the short fields created by turnovers.

The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 13,336. The total points scored, 38, fell well under the pregame over/under line of 56.5. North Carolina State entered the game as a 3.5-point favorite according to oddsmakers, a line it covered comfortably. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 31-24 Wolfpack victory, while its ELO system gave North Carolina State a 72.2% probability to win.

The loss concluded a season of streaks for Memphis, which had alternated wins and losses over its final six games. North Carolina State, meanwhile, ended its regular season with consecutive victories over Florida State and North Carolina before this win.

Both teams now await their postseason bowl destinations, finishing with identical records after a game defined by North Carolina State’s commanding early surge and defensive consistency.