NC State has a mind-blowing meltdown vs Vanderbilt, and Dan Orlovsky's infamous safety. Credit: SEC Network; ESPN; Fox Credit: SEC Network; ESPN; Fox
By Matt Clapp on

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Before Dan Orlovsky became a high-profile analyst at ESPN, he played quarterback for 26 games (12 starts) over seven years in the NFL. And the best-known highlight of Orlovsky’s NFL career is much more of a lowlight.

While playing quarterback for the Detroit Lions against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 12, 2008, Orlovsky stepped back to throw and had no idea he was running out of the back of the end zone for a safety. It became an instant classic in the NFL blooper department.

Well, it turns out that his tactic would have worked well for NC State on Saturday.

Leading 31-28 with six seconds remaining in Nashville, the Wolfpack had fourth-and-3 at their own 5-yard line. NC State feared a potential blocked punt or a Vanderbilt punt return touchdown, so it chose to try to run the clock down more and try to take a safety.

But that backfired in a big way.

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey fumbled in the end zone, and Vanderbilt’s Cayden Daniels recovered it for an insane game-winning touchdown (officials put one back on the clock after review, but NC State didn’t take advantage of the opportunity after the ensuing kickoff).

After the finish, Orlovsky took to X to have fun with the moment and note how his strategy would have paid off for NC State.

Orlovsky has waited 18 years for a moment when he could point to his safety being the recommended play, and he took advantage of the opportunity on social media.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor/writer at Awful Announcing and The Comeback.

He can be reached by email at mclapp@awfulannouncing.com.

View all posts by Matt Clapp