Duke Scott shines in first start, doesn't surprise NC State football in win vs Georgia Tech
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RALEIGH — N.C. State football coach Dave Doeren wasn’t surprised.
Neither was Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey.
Running back Jayden “Duke” Scott stepped in for his first start in place of an injured Hollywood Smothers and had a career night in N.C. State’s 48-36 win against No. 7 Georgia Tech at Carter-Finley Stadium.
“I knew it had to come with a different mindset. I knew I had to carry over my game. I was gonna be physical, I was gonna run as hard as I possibly can,” Scott said.
“Then I had a chip on my shoulder. Somebody I was doing it for, I was doing it for Hollywood.”
Duke was a hazard from start to finish against the Yellow Jackets (8-1, 5-1 ACC), racking up 196 yards on 24 carries. He put an exclamation point on his performance with a game-wrecking touchdown to help the Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3) slam the door on the Ramblin’ Wreck.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Doeren said. “That was the 16th-ranked rushing defense in the ACC. We thought we could run the football on ‘em. … Duke’s way faster than people know.”
As a freshman in 2024, Scott played in one game and had four yards. Across the first eight games of this season, the redshirt freshman logged 235 rushing yards before his breakout performance against Georgia Tech.
“With the injuries that we’ve had and the number of guys that were out in that game, we needed guys to just really rise up,” Doeren said.
With Smothers out, Scott had the chance to show what he’s capable of as a lead back. He didn't disappoint.
“We got a really good tandem in that backfield,” Doeren said. “Tonight he had to step up and take on the entire load. Obviously, he did a tremendous job.”
Consistently dragging and shaking off defenders, Scott had three runs of 16 or more yards, including a 69-yard run in the third quarter that put the Wolfpack in position to take a double-digit lead. He followed with a 30-yard TD run late in the fourth quarter to put a bow on the top-10 win.
“For the first start to be an upset,” Scott said, “it’s a surreal feeling.”
By that point in the game, scoring was the only thing the 5-foot-10, 214-pound back hadn’t done against Georgia Tech.
N.C. State fans showed their appreciation in those final minutes, chanting “Duuuuuuuuuke” as they prepared to rush the field and celebrate the victory.
“It’s a great start,” Scott said. “From here, I just expect to get better and better. It’s just the start for it.”
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke Scott steps in, shines for NC State football vs Georgia Tech
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