North Carolina State University Athletics
Brennan Armstrong or Kevin Concepcion were part of all five Wolfpack touchdowns
Wolfpack Picks Up Fourth Straight Win
11/19/2023 9:53:00 AM | Football
NC State's offense picked up the tab in a 35-28 win at Virginia Tech on Saturday. After a scoreless first quarter, the Wolfpack generated touchdowns on five straight possessions scattered across the second and third quarters.
The first four scoring efforts were methodical drives consisting of 7, 8, 11 and 12 plays.Â
Quarterback Brennan Armstrong had a direct role in four of the five scores. The left-hander ran for two scores and passed for a pair to Kevin "KC" Concepcion. Whether he was passing from the pocket, on a rollout, designed runs or tucking it on a scramble, it was hard to keep up with Armstrong. He racked up 292 yards of total offense without a turnover.Â
"You play better by just doing what the offense needs you to do, letting your skill set be your skill set," Dave Doeren said. "If you're a drop-back guy, that's what you are. If you're a mobile guy, that's what you are. Brennan's a little bit of both. He's just having fun out there and making plays."
Offensive coordinator Robert Anae is having fun with formations, motions and unpredictable play calls. But well-designed plays are no good if they aren't properly executed, like the first career touchdown pass from Concepcion.Â
He took the pitch from Armstrong and sold it as a sweep to the right. Even with defensive pressure approaching, Concepcion calmly lofted a pass to a wide open Trent Pennix in the end zone to make it 35-14.Â
That play was set up by a similar play Concepcion ran earlier.
"I had a play early in the game where I'd gotten a swing toss, and the safeties were coming down hard," Concepcion described. "As soon as I got the ball, I had just watched the safety in the middle come down, and then Trent was wide open, so I threw it."
Is there anything Concepcion can't do?!Â
He finished the day with a touchdown pass, two touchdown receptions and was just a rushing TD away from a hat trick.Â
Doeren was quick to point out the creativity of offensive coordinator Robert Anae. It's his first year with the Wolfpack but with decades of coaching experience, he has a plethora of plays to pull from.
"He 'spinning the dial,' as he calls it," Doeren said of Anae. "There's 25 years of calling offense in that man's head, and he goes back to things he did back in the day, things he did in Virginia, things he did at Syracuse, things that we're watching on film, and then plays off of plays. Man, does he do a good job of that. I thought Robert called a really good game tonight."Â
The fourth straight win gives the Wolfpack four straight seasons with eight or more wins, which is a program record.Â
Now it's on to the regular-season finale where emotions will run high. It's Senior Day against rival UNC under the lights at Carter-Finley Stadium. And it's a chance to add to this year's four-game winning streak and make it three straight over the Tar Heels.Â
Â
The first four scoring efforts were methodical drives consisting of 7, 8, 11 and 12 plays.Â
Quarterback Brennan Armstrong had a direct role in four of the five scores. The left-hander ran for two scores and passed for a pair to Kevin "KC" Concepcion. Whether he was passing from the pocket, on a rollout, designed runs or tucking it on a scramble, it was hard to keep up with Armstrong. He racked up 292 yards of total offense without a turnover.Â
"You play better by just doing what the offense needs you to do, letting your skill set be your skill set," Dave Doeren said. "If you're a drop-back guy, that's what you are. If you're a mobile guy, that's what you are. Brennan's a little bit of both. He's just having fun out there and making plays."
Offensive coordinator Robert Anae is having fun with formations, motions and unpredictable play calls. But well-designed plays are no good if they aren't properly executed, like the first career touchdown pass from Concepcion.Â
He took the pitch from Armstrong and sold it as a sweep to the right. Even with defensive pressure approaching, Concepcion calmly lofted a pass to a wide open Trent Pennix in the end zone to make it 35-14.Â
That play was set up by a similar play Concepcion ran earlier.
"I had a play early in the game where I'd gotten a swing toss, and the safeties were coming down hard," Concepcion described. "As soon as I got the ball, I had just watched the safety in the middle come down, and then Trent was wide open, so I threw it."
Is there anything Concepcion can't do?!Â
He finished the day with a touchdown pass, two touchdown receptions and was just a rushing TD away from a hat trick.Â
Doeren was quick to point out the creativity of offensive coordinator Robert Anae. It's his first year with the Wolfpack but with decades of coaching experience, he has a plethora of plays to pull from.
"He 'spinning the dial,' as he calls it," Doeren said of Anae. "There's 25 years of calling offense in that man's head, and he goes back to things he did back in the day, things he did in Virginia, things he did at Syracuse, things that we're watching on film, and then plays off of plays. Man, does he do a good job of that. I thought Robert called a really good game tonight."Â
The fourth straight win gives the Wolfpack four straight seasons with eight or more wins, which is a program record.Â
Now it's on to the regular-season finale where emotions will run high. It's Senior Day against rival UNC under the lights at Carter-Finley Stadium. And it's a chance to add to this year's four-game winning streak and make it three straight over the Tar Heels.Â
Â
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
TE
/ FootballCoach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24