FINAL: Virginia 34, NC State 8 - A rough start to the season for the Wolfpack, as two first-half turnovers helped set the tone for a Murphy’s Law kind of afternoon where the game was never competitive.
Bailey struggled to find open receivers, completing 12 of 23 passes for 84 yards with one interception. State’s No. 1 running back Jayden Scott had just seven carries for 20 yards.
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For Virginia, Pribula completed 9 of 11 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. The Cavaliers ran the ball at will behind an experienced offensive line and dominated the battle in the trenches. Early in the second half, UVA drew in defenders and went deeper in the playbook with a flea flicker and long play-action pass that resulted in a touchdown.
Later in the half came a stretch that defined the game. Virginia pounded the ball on the ground and demoralized State with three fourth-down conversions. The drive took longer than 12 minutes of game time and saw UVA go up 31-8 at the end of it.
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Doink and dunk: Bettridge converts a field goal as the ball hits off the upright and goes through. It's 34-8 with 4:26 left. UVA will finish with 258 yards rushing from six rushers and this one was never in doubt.
Virginia puts a bow on it: A 23-play drive with three fourth-down conversions ends with a 1-yard touchdown run from Xay Davis and that'll pretty much do it. Cavs go up 31-8 with 7:44 left in the game. They ate over 12 minutes of clock on that possession.
End third quarter: Virginia 24, NC State 8
State shows life: The Wolfpack gets on the scoreboard with a big third-and-long conversion from Bailey to Vander Ploog. Will Wilson scored a touchdown from a yard out. State converts the 2-point conversion, and it's 24-8 with 4:59 left in the third quarter.
UVA keeps it up: Virginia comes out firing to start the second half with a flea flicker to start and later a play-fake pass that goes for a 47-yard touchdown. Pribula is 5-of-6 passing with two touchdowns and 127 yards.
HALF: Virginia 17, NC State 0. The Virginia run game has kept State guessing all game and dictated the pace of play. On offense, State hasn't been able to get much going with its lone steady drive being derailed by Bailey's fumble.
Another turnover: The Wolfpack take over at midfield and drive inside the red zone, but Bailey fumbles the ball inside the Virginia 10-yard line. UVA recovers and takes over with 3:35 left in the half. Instead of first-and-goal, State will hope to keep it 17-0 after squandering a big opportunity.
Virginia in control: Pribula finds Brown on a post for a 45-yard touchdown pass for the game's first explosive play through the air. Cavs go up 17-0, mostly through stout defense and a consistent run game that's netted them 103 yards already. NC State in trouble with 11:26 to go until halftime and only 32 yards of offense.
End first quarter: Virginia 10, NC State 0
Cavs capitalize: Xavier Brown punches it in from a yard out. Virginia goes up 10-0 after the extra point. All 78 of UVA's offensive yards have come on the ground so far. NC State still has 0 first downs late in the first quarter.
State turnover: CJ Bailey's pass is tipped at the line and intercepted. Not a good start for Bailey. Virginia will get the ball deep in NC State territory.
Virginia goes up: Will Bettridge hits a 47-yard field goal to give UVA a 3-0 lead. Quarterback Beau Pribula got free for an 18-yard run on first down and Jekail Middlebrook ran for 10 yards to key the Cavaliers' first scoring drive.
First drives: State goes 3-and-out after Bailey is sacked on 3rd down. Virginia manages one first down on its opening possession, but has to punt.
Game preview
NC State will take on Virginia in the season opener on Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville.
Kickoff is set for 3:40 p.m.
The Wolfpack is led by returning quarterback CJ Bailey and coach Dave Doeren, who is entering his 14th season in Raleigh.
Doeren is 4-0 against Virginia in his career, including a 35-31 nonconference victory last season. The ACC rivals have played just seven times since the league expanded in 2004.
There are 51 newcomers on the NC State roster, which has just eight returning starters. Virginia has 31 transfers.
The Wolfpack claimed a 35-31 nonconference victory last season in Raleigh against the Cavaliers.