NASHVILLE (Interstat) — Vanderbilt defeated North Carolina State 35-31 on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at FirstBank Stadium in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game. The Commodores improved to 3-0, while the Wolfpack fell to 1-2. North Carolina State led early after Will Wilson’s 38-yard touchdown run and C.J. Bailey’s scoring passes to Keenan Jackson. Kanoah Vinesett added a 24-yard field goal. Vanderbilt answered as Jared Curtis threw three touchdown passes, including two to Junior Sherrill and one to Sedrick Alexander. Curtis finished 20-for-34 for 277 yards and added 64 rushing yards. Sherrill had six catches for 108 yards. Alexander rushed seven times for 53 yards. Bailey completed 25 of 37 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns and rushed nine times for 35 yards. Defensively, Vanderbilt’s Bryan Longwell made seven tackles, while Ricardo Jones, Mason Lewis and C.J. Heard each had eight. Nick Rinaldi recorded five tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry. Jaren Sensabaugh intercepted a pass for North Carolina State. Vanderbilt next visits Auburn; North Carolina State hosts Appalachian State.