CHARLOTTESVILLE – NC State opened the 2026 season with a 34-8 loss to Virginia, falling to 0-1 for the first time since 2018. The Wolfpack was shut out in the first half and managed only one touchdown as Virginia built its lead with a steady running game, timely passing and short fields created by NC State turnovers and punts.
The Wolfpack offense struggled from the start, opening with a three-and-out and punting again on its next possession. A tipped pass on another early series became an interception by Brandyn Hillman, giving Virginia the ball at the NC State 32. Four plays later, Xavier Brown scored on a one-yard run.
The sequence put NC State in a 10-0 hole after Virginia had already opened the scoring on Will Bettridge’s 47-yard field goal. The Wolfpack punted again, and the Cavaliers answered with another touchdown when Beau Pribula connected with Brown for a 45-yard score.
NC State quarterback CJ Bailey finished 12 of 23 for 84 yards with one interception and added 33 yards rushing. The Wolfpack generated little through the air, with tight end Vander Ploog’s 21-yard catch standing as the longest completion. Ploog finished with two catches for 35 yards.
Ploog’s biggest play came during NC State’s best first-half opportunity. Trailing 17-0, the Wolfpack converted a third-and-21 and moved to the Virginia one-yard line, but Bailey fumbled on a quarterback run. Virginia recovered, ending NC State’s first trip into the red zone.
NC State entered halftime scoreless for the first time in a season opener since 2009 against South Carolina. The 17-0 deficit reflected a first half in which the Wolfpack reached the Virginia seven-yard line but came away empty.
Virginia widened the margin immediately after halftime. Pribula completed passes to TyLyric Coleman and Kameron Courtney before finding DaShawn Martin for a 47-yard touchdown, capping a three-play, 75-yard drive that made it 24-0.
NC State finally scored on its next extended opportunity. Will Wilson entered at quarterback and finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run after Ploog’s fourth-down reception moved the Wolfpack to the Virginia one. NC State added a two-point conversion pass to Deandre Desinor, cutting the deficit to 24-8.
Wilson provided one of NC State’s few offensive bright spots, rushing six times for 21 yards and the Wolfpack’s only touchdown. Bailey remained NC State’s leading passer, while Jayden Scott added 20 yards on seven carries. The Wolfpack finished with 76 net rushing yards.
No NC State receiver reached 40 yards. Jojo Trader had two catches for 19 yards, Davion Dozier caught two passes for 14 yards and Ploog led the team with 35 receiving yards. The lack of explosive plays left the Wolfpack with few chances to climb out of the early deficit.
The NC State defense faced a heavy workload, especially against the run. Virginia finished with 251 rushing yards on 53 attempts, the most rushing yards NC State had allowed against the Cavaliers since last season’s meeting in Raleigh. It was also the first time since 2020 that the Wolfpack allowed an opponent to run the ball more than 50 times.
Linebacker Popo Aguirre led both teams with 18 tackles, NC State’s highest single-game total since Peyton Wilson recorded 19 against Duke in 2020.
Ronnie Royal III and King Mack each added seven tackles, while Harvey Dyson III and LaCorian Hodge combined for the Wolfpack’s only sack.
Virginia responded to NC State’s touchdown with a 23-play, 75-yard scoring drive that put the game out of reach. The Cavaliers converted three fourth downs during the possession before Xavier Davis scored on a one-yard run.
Bettridge later added a 42-yard field goal, his second of the game, to close the scoring. Virginia scored in every quarter, while NC State scored only in the third.
The final numbers reflected NC State’s offensive struggles. Virginia outgained the Wolfpack 413-168, held an 18-10 edge in first downs and controlled the ball for 38:04 compared with NC State’s 21:56.
NC State punted seven times and committed two turnovers, Bailey’s interception and fumble. Virginia turned both into scoring chances, with the interception leading directly to Brown’s touchdown.
The result also ended several streaks in the series. Virginia beat NC State for the first time since 2012 and won in Charlottesville for the first time since 2006. The Wolfpack still leads the all-time series 38-23-1 and is 4-1 against Virginia under Dave Doeren.
NC State will look for its first win when Richmond visits Carter-Finley Stadium on Friday, Sept. 11. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
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