NC State football ended its 2025 college football season on a positive note and a statement from its sophomore quarterback.
CJ Bailey accounted for three total touchdowns in a 31-7 win for the Wolfpack over Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 19.
Bailey finished 14-of-25 passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Jayden Scott led the Wolfpack rushing attack with 19 rushes for 108 yards, as NC State (8-5) jumped out ahead 24-0 and led 31-7 at halftime.
Watch Memphis vs NC State in Gasparilla Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)
The Memphis offense was able to move the ball, finishing with 303 total yards, just 34 fewer than NC State. However, penalties (seven for 74 yards) and turnovers (one fumble and one interception) prevented the offense from putting points on the board.
Even though the Wolfpack did not score in the second half, the damage was already done to the Tigers (8-5), playing without their head coach, Ryan Silverfield, who is departing for an SEC job with Arkansas. The Wolfpack ended their season with three straight wins, marking their eighth eight-win season in 13 years under head coach Dave Doeren. It’s the first bowl win for NC State since 2017.
Brenden Lewis was limited to 14-of-25 passing for 106 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He was limited to 11 rushes for 51 yards on the ground.
USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates from the Gasparilla Bowl between Memphis and North Carolina State. Catch up here:
Memphis vs NC State final score
Memphis vs NC State highlights
Memphis-NC State score: Wolfpack 31, Tigers 7
Memphis-NC State final stats
NC State defeats Memphis in Gasparilla Bowl
NC State ends its 2025 college football season with a 31-7 statement win over Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa Bay, Florida. Neither team scored in the second half, as the Wolfpack took care of business in the first.
NC State attempts fake field goal
Instead of kicking a 49-yard field goal, NC State opts to attempt a fake field goal. However, kicker Kanoah Vinesett drops the ball as he attempts to throw it, resulting in an incompletion and a turnover on downs.
Interesting decision, as Vinesett had made a 51-yard field goal earlier in the game.
End of third quarter: NC State 31, Memphis 7
No scoring in the third quarter, but that’s good news for NC State as it holds a 24-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Wolfpack have the ball to open the final quarter.
Memphis tries a trick play, loses fumble
Frank Peasant attempts to run the ball on a trick play, but he loses the ball and NC State’s Joseph Adedire recovers. The Wolfpack take over on the Memphis 43-yard line with a chance to expand its lead.
Halftime: NC State 31, Memphis 7
Memphis-NC State halftime stats
NC State takes a 31-7 lead into halftime, dominating the first half. The Wolfpack scored 14 points in the opening quarter and added 17 more in the second.
CJ Bailey fires deep touchdown pass to Teddy Hoffmann
NC State pushes its lead to 31-7 with 1:28 left in the second quarter when CJ Bailey fires a perfect deep ball to a wide-open Teddy Hoffmann for a 40-yard touchdown.
The scoring drive is three plays for 75 yards and took 27 game seconds.
Memphis strikes back with touchdown
Memphis is finally on the board, as receiver Jamari Hawkins catches a pass from quarterback Brendon Lewis. Hawkins breaks a couple of tackles and takes it in for the 28-yard touchdown. It’s 24-7 NC State with 4:59 left in the first half.
The scoring drive is eight plays for 75 yards and takes 3:04 off the game clock.
The Tigers get the ball to open the second half, so they can make things interesting with a stop and score before the half.
Kanoah Vinesett hits 51-yard field goal
Kanoah Vinesett connects on a 51-yard field goal to extend the NC State lead to 24-0 with 8:03 left in the first half. That’s Vinesett’s first attempt over 40 yards this season. His previous long this year was 38 yards.
His career high is 52 yards.
Gianni Spetic misses 56-yard field goal
Needing a score, Memphis opts to send kicker Gianni Spetic out for a career-high 56-yard field goal. The kick is short left and the Tigers remain scoreless with 10:33 left in the first half.
NC State will begin its drive from its own 38-yard line.
Will Wilson sneaks in for touchdown for NC State
NC State extends its lead to 21-0 with QB Will Wilson sneaking it in for his 10th touchdown of the season.
The scoring drive is two plays for three yards following the interception by Caden Fordham.
End of first quarter: NC State 14, Memphis 0
All NC State in that first quarter, as the Wolfpack holds a 14-0 lead and is threatening to make it 21-0 when the second quarter commences.
Caden Fordham intercepts pass from Brendon Lewis
Caden Fordham picks off a deflected ball and returns it to the Memphis 2-yard line to set up another scoring opportunity for the Wolfpack.
CJ Bailey hits Wesley Grimes for a touchdown
CJ Bailey hits Wesley Grimes for a long 31-yard touchdown to extend the NC State lead to 14-0 with 3:21 left in the first quarter. Grimes is hurt after the play, as he took a hard hit crossing the end zone. However, he jogs off the field under his own power.
NC State forces a three-and-out
On a fourth-and-3 from deep inside the NC State territory, Memphis forces a turnover on downs. The 11-play drive comes up empty for the Tigers after they intercepted CJ Bailey set up the drive.
CJ Bailey strikes first for NC State
CJ Bailey cruises in for a 14-yard touchdown to give NC State a 7-0 lead with 11:32 left in the first quarter, on its first drive.
The scoring drive is seven plays for 75 yards and takes 3:28 off the game clock. The Wolfpack had two explosive plays of over 20 yards on the drive to set up the score.
On the opening drive, Bailey is 2-for-2 passing for 45 yards and adds 21 yards on two rushes.
NC State without Hollywood Smothers
NC State football will open Gasparilla Bowl on offense
NC State wins the coin toss and elects to receive. Memphis will defend the north goal.
Pregame
CJ Bailey Stats
CJ Bailey earns the start for the Wolfpack in the Gasparilla Bowl against Memphis. The sophomore from Miami has been a star for the NC State offense, with 40 total passing touchdowns in his first two seasons as the starter.
Here’s a look at Lewis’ stats with NC State:
2024: 196-of-302 passing (64.9%) for 2,413 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 99 rushes for 279 yards and five touchdowns
2025: 259-of-372 passing (69.6%) for 2,884 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions; 82 rushes for 215 yards and five touchdowns
Brandon Lewis stats
Redshirt senior Brandon Lewis will be under center again for Memphis when it takes on NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl. Lewis is a sixth-year college football player. The dual-threat QB transferred in from Nevada to Memphis this past offseason.
Here’s a look at his stats:
2020 (Colorado): 6-of-10 passing (60%) for 95 yards; 9 rushes for 73 yards and a touchdown
2021 (Colorado): 149-of-257 passing (58%) for 1,540 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions; 98 rushes for 188 yards and two touchdowns
2022 (Colorado): 15-of-24 passing (62.5%) for 92 yards; 12 rushes for 43 yards
2023 (Nevada): 131-of-236 passing (55.5%) for 1,113 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions; 120 rushes for 495 yards and four touchdowns
2024 (Nevada): 211-of-312 passing (67.6%) for 2,290 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions; 157 rushes for 775 yards and eight touchdowns
2025 (Memphis): 239-of-343 passing (69.7%) for 2,567 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions; 141 rushes for 618 yards and nine touchdowns
Memphis vs NC State history
The Gasparilla Bowl matchup between the Tigers and the Wolfpack will be the first-ever between the programs on the football field. NC State is 3-2 against Memphis in men’s basketball, with the last matchup coming in 2019.
Endzones painted for Gasparilla Bowl
With just an hour until game time, here’s a look at the end zones for the Gasparilla Bowl for the game between Memphis and NC State:
What channel is Memphis vs NC State on today?
TV Channel: ESPN
Livestream:Fubo (free trial)
Memphis vs NC State will be broadcast nationally on ESPN for the Gasparilla Bowl. Anish Shroff and Andre Ware will call the game from the booth at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, with Paul Carcaterra reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Watch ESPN and Fubo, which offer a free trial to new subscribers.
Memphis vs NC State time today
Date: Friday, Dec. 19
Start time: 2:30 p.m. ET
The Memphis vs NC State game starts at 2:30 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Stream Memphis vs NC State with Fubo (free trial)
Memphis vs NC State predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Dec. 18
Spread: NC State (-3.5)
Over/under: 56.5
Moneyline: NC State -175 | Memphis +145
Prediction: NC State 35, Memphis 24
NC State’s offense is too much for Memphis, which is down some support with Silverfield off to Arkansas. Bailey and Smothers lead the way for the Wolfpack.