CJ Bailey threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as North Carolina State had an efficient first half in a 31-7 victory against Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday afternoon in Tampa.
Bailey was 14-for-25 passing for 221 yards. Teammate Jayden Scott rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries to help the Wolfpack (8-5) end the season on a three-game winning streak.
“We had a really tough spot in the middle of our season, (but) won four of the last five games,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said postgame. “… We’ve got a great spot for this trophy in the Murphy (Football) Center.”
NC State linebacker Caden Fordham became the Gasparilla Bowl’s first defensive player to be named Most Valuable Player. He made 13 tackles to go with an interception.
Memphis (8-5), which looked like a contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff through the first few months of the season, lost its final four games. The Tigers played the bowl game under interim coach Reggie Howard after coach Ryan Silverfield took the Arkansas job.
Dual-threat quarterback Brendon Lewis finished 14-for-25 for 106 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception and gained 51 rushing yards on 11 carries for Memphis.
NC State played without running back Hollywood Smothers after it was revealed late in the week that he would enter the transfer portal. All of the game’s points were scored before halftime, as the Wolfpack had the highest-scoring half for any team in Gasparilla Bowl history.
The Wolfpack began the game with a 75-yard drive that ended with Bailey’s 14-yard touchdown run.
Later in the first quarter, NC State went 67 yards on four plays, and Bailey tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Grimes.
NC State’s defense set up the next scoring opportunity. Fordham returned an interception, which came off a deflected pass, 55 yards to the Memphis 3-yard line. Will Wilson scored on a 1-yard run on a direct snap.
Memphis had a chance to get on the board, but a 10-play possession ended on Gianni Spetic’s missed field goal from 56 yards out.
The Wolfpack stretched the margin to 24-0 on Kanoah Vinesett’s season-long 51-yard field goal.
The Tigers responded with a 75-yard drive, with Lewis throwing to Jamari Hawkins on a 28-yard touchdown play.
Teddy Hoffmann got free down the left sideline and Bailey hooked up with him for a 40-yard touchdown with 1:28 left in the first half.
NC State only outgained Memphis 337-303 on the day, as the Tigers threatened but turned the ball over on downs twice in the fourth quarter.
–Field Level Media
