No. 22 Wolfpack Remains Hot in 39-20 Victory over UNC

RALEIGH, N.C. – With a 39-20 win over rival North Carolina on Saturday, NC State notched its first five-game conference winning streak in 50 years. The Wolfpack has now won five straight league games in a single season (1967, 1968, and 1973). NC State went a perfect 6-0 in ACC play in 1973 and won five straight league matchups in both 1967 and 1968.

In the third consecutive win for the Wolfpack over UNC, the 39 points put up by NC State are the most in the series since 2008. NC State went on to score eight straight possessions and were 8-8 in the red zone, not punting until late in the third quarter.

NC State has scored over 30 points in six consecutive wins against North Carolina, and the 19-point differential is the largest margin of victory against UNC since a 35-7 win in 2014.

Totaling 504 yards of offense, NC State was led by Brennan Armstrong and Kevin "KC" Concepcion, as Armstrong was 21-30 for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Concepcion led the team again in both receiving and rushing as the true freshman had 55 yards on the ground and 131 yards receiving, a career-best.

The 131 receiving yards from Concepcion are the most by a player this season. Concepcion is now tied for fifth in school history for single-season touchdown receptions with 10, which is the most since 2012 (Bryan Underwood).

Also having big nights for the Wolfpack was Keyon Lesane, who totaled 66 receiving yards, and Dacari Collins, who had 46 yards and a touchdown. Both were a season-best for the receivers.

On the defensive side of the ball, playing in his last game at Carter-Finley, senior Payton Wilson led the team in tackles once again, totaling 15 for his 23^rd double-digit game in an NC State uniform. The Butkus Award finalist also had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Devan Boykin also made his presence known, totaling 10 tackles, forcing a fumble, and sealing the Wolfpack victory with an interception.

Brayden Narveson accounted for four field goals in the first half, which is the most in a half since 2001, when Adam Kiker did it against Maryland.

The Wolfpack turned their first drive into points as Narveson trotted out and converted a 32-yard field goal to put the Wolfpack ahead 3-0.

As they have been doing all season, the Wolfpack defense forced a turnover as Wilson forced a fumble from North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, and Jaylon Scott recovered to give the offense back the ball.

A promising Wolfpack drive after the turnover stalled out after two penalties pushed NC State back and had to settle for another field goal from Narveson, who hit from 40 yards to make it 6-0 in favor of the home team.

For the fifth time this season, Concepcion has found the end zone twice in a game after scoring on back-to-back drives to give the Wolfpack a commanding 20-0 advantage. First, Armstrong found the true freshman for an 11-yard score and then again from six yards out.

North Carolina got on the board after a four-play 75-yard drive that took one minute and 23 seconds to cut into the NC State lead at 23-7.

With the clock ticking down until halftime, Narveson hit his fourth field goal to make it 26-7. With the teams set to kick off the second half, it was announced the Wolfpack had 12 men on the field for the kick and had to redo the kick, which was once again converted.

Collins's touchdown made it 33-7, and after UNC got on the board for the second time on the night, another senior found the end zone as Delbert Mimms, III, scored to make it 39-14.

Up Next: The Wolfpack will now wait to hear where they will be heading to play their bowl game, with the announcement coming at the conclusion of the conference championship weekend.

No. 22 Wolfpack Remains Hot in 39-20 Victory over UNC

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Team Stats

Brennan Armstrong

Players Mentioned

Brennan Armstrong

Devan Boykin

Dacari Collins

Keyon Lesane

Delbert Mimms, III

Brayden Narveson

Jaylon Scott

Payton Wilson