Stanford Cardinal celebrate their win against NC State Wolfpack at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Fri Oct 23, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Quarterback Davis Warren’s four touchdown passes led his Stanford Cardinal (4-4, 2-3 ACC) to victory over the North Carolina Wolfpack (3-4, 2-2 ACC) 31-28, in an Atlantic Coast Conference battle in the Bay Area.

N.C. State began the game as benevolent guests, as they deferred their possession of the ball until the second half.  Despite winning the coin toss, they elected to give the ball to the home team.  That did not work in their immediate favor.

Stanford graciously accepted that gift and parlayed it into an early touchdown.  Less than five minutes into the contest, Davis Warren tossed an 8-yard TD pass to senior WR Nico Brown.  The strategy did not seem to be prudent from the Carolina canines.  The Cardinal led 7-0 at that juncture of the quarter.

The football team from Greater Palo Alto was not satisfied with that score, and put up seven more points on the scoreboard nearly seven minutes later.  Davis threw another TD pass to double their lead, 14-0.  The second strike was for 17 yards and caught by senior running back Sedrick Irvin.

With just over two minutes left in the first quarter, it appeared the Cardinal were about to perform a blowout victory.   CJ Bailey completed a difficult 58-yard TD pass to sophomore running back Deandre Desinor that kept their team in the game, before it got away from them.  After 15 minutes of conference action, NC State cut the deficit in half, 14-7.

Midway through the second quarter, the Wolfpack struck again.  Backup QB Will Wilson scored on a 2-yard keeper.  The game was tied at 14 for nearly seven minutes.  With the stalemate going on, and a momentum shift, Stanford still had the endzone in their sites.  At the :25 mark of the second quarter, Warren threw his third TD pass before recess.  The trilogy TD went to senior WR Caden High.  At the half, Stanford led 21-14.

In the second half, N.C. State was poised to receive the ball from their pregame coin toss victory.  During that drive, the Wolfpack appeared to have tied the game again.  However, their was a flag on the field, denying the touchdown pass.  Offensive Pass Interference was the deflating call.

After that empty opportunity, the Cardinal responded with another touchdown drive.  Warren threw his fourth touchdown pass within three quarters.  The quadruple TD score was five yards to senior WR Nico Brown.  After 45 minutes of gametime action, the lead doubled again, 28-14.

Despite N.C. State’s winning chances looking bleak, they started off the fourth quarter with a touchdown within 10 seconds of the final quadrant.  Will Wilson scored (2 yards) on another QB keeper.  After cutting the lead in half again, the score was 28-21, Stanford.

More than six minutes later, the Cardinal added three more points to their tally, when senior kicker Emmet Kenney booted a 31-yard FG to put Stanford back up by 10 points, 31-21.  The only question left at that time was could the Cardinal hold on to the lead?

With less than two minutes left in the game, the Wolfpack managed to score another touchdown.  CJ Bailey threw a 16-yard TD pass to junior WR Keenan Jackson, to get within three points, 31-28.

Next was the obligatory onside-kick attempt.  Unfortunately for N.C. State, the attempt failed.  Stanford was able to let the clock run out, and they ended the night with a 3-point victory, 31-28.