Sep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Hollywood Smothers (3) runs the ball in the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images

Smothers Shares Feelings After Wolfpack's Win Over FSU

Originally posted on NC State Wolfpack on SI
By Tucker Sennett | Last updated Nov 23, 2025 7:00 AM ET

RALEIGH — NC State entered Friday night's game with a bitter taste after scoring just seven points against Miami the week prior. The Wolfpack offense wanted to score and be efficient. Establishing the run was a major part of NC State's 21-11 win over Florida State. The win helped the Wolfpack achieve bowl eligibility once again, as it was the team's sixth victory of the season.

The ACC's leading rusher, Hollywood Smothers, got back on track in the win. Smothers carried the ball 21 times for 84 yards. He set the tone with a 27-yard run on his first touch of the night, quickly showing his negative yardage performance against the Hurricanes was a complete fluke. He didn't have quite as much luck in the passing game, as he caught three balls but gained no yardage.

Roll the highlights #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/j8ZBgpCR2h
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 22, 2025

Smothers allowed other members of the Wolfpack to get in the mix as well. Redshirt freshman running back Duke Scott worked in his usual change-of-pace duties, but freshman quarterback Will Wilson was the true difference for the Wolfpack on the ground. Wilson came and rushed for 33 yards and a key touchdown in the win, relieving some of the pressure on both Smothers and sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey.

After the spirited locker room celebration for the Wolfpack and head coach Dave Doeren, Smothers made his way to the podium in the Murphy Center to discuss his own performance, bouncing back from the Miami loss, playing complementary football and more.

Watch Smothers' Press Conference

Noteworthy Quotes from Smothers

Hollywood Smothers stiff arms Earl Little Jr pic.twitter.com/2PHBEku1mc
— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) November 22, 2025

On playing complementary football and establishing the run game with Will Wilson and Duke Scott

"It was great. Whenever we play complementary football, our best football, the result is a winning game. It wasn't as pretty as we wanted today, but a dub is a dub."

"(Scott and Wilson) are very important. Whenever you can get the run game going, it's always good for the offense. We've got a pretty good quarterback. The run game just opens up the pass game. It just gets the flow for the offense. Whenever we can get good runs, those tough, three-yard, four-yard gains, move the chains, or just get positive runs on first down, it just starts the drive off better."