Vanderbilt pulled off the most improbable last-second victory you’ll ever see in college football
The Music City Miracle now has a rival after Vanderbilt’s improbable, and frankly incomprehensible, last-second victory against NC State on Saturday afternoon.
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NC State controlled the game from the jump in Nashville, going into halftime with a 17-7 lead, and were in position to seal an upset victory over Vanderbilt following an interception by Wolfpack safety Brody Barnhardt with just over a minute left to play. What happened on the ensuing drive was easily one of the most incredible, stunning yet devastating endings you’ll ever see, depending on where your loyalties lie.
Chance Robinson No. 82 of the NC State Wolfpack reacts after a last-second loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium on Sept. 19, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (Getty Images)
Vanderbilt had only two timeouts, so it had no hope of getting the ball back unless it somehow forced a turnover. NC State ran for three yards, and Vanderbilt called timeout. The Wolfpack gained another three yards on the next play, prompting another timeout.
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With 53 seconds remaining, the Wolfpack had victory in its sights. NC State then ran for one yard to kill more clock before taking a delay-of-game penalty with six seconds left.
That brought up fourth-and-7 at the 4-yard line. Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey simply needed to kill the clock and, if things got dicey, run out of the end zone for a safety, keeping his team ahead by one point and securing a well-deserved victory.
Bailey took the snap and rolled to his right. Instead of going down, he absorbed an initial hit before edge rusher Miles Capers dislodged the ball. Cornerback Cayden Daniels immediately recovered the fumble with one second remaining.
The Vanderbilt Commodores react after a last-second comeback win against the NC State Wolfpack at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 19, 2026. (Getty Images)
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It was incredible, improbable and asinine all at the same time.
After a touchback, the Wolfpack regained possession but eventually fell to the Commodores following a failed lateral play as time expired.
The Vanderbilt Commodores react after a last-second comeback win against the NC State Wolfpack at FirstBank Stadium on Sept. 19, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (Getty Images)
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I’m not sure what to call this new Music City Miracle, but it will easily go down as one of the most insane finishes in college football history.
