North Carolina State University Athletics
Newcomers Key Wolfpack Win at Virginia
9/23/2023 11:13:00 AM | Football
A lot of football has been played since the last time NC State had a last-second, game-winning field goal. It happened a decade ago when Niklas Sade split the uprights against Richmond with 33 seconds to go.Â
Friday night in Charlottesville, transfer Brayden Narveson connected on a 33-yard field goal as the clock expired to give the Wolfpack a 24-21 road win and a 1-0 start in ACC play.Â
There were plenty of newcomers to Pack football who played a role in the win. The most noticeable and publicized was the return of quarterback Brennan Armstrong to Virginia, where played for five years and holds 15 school records.
"I didn't know what to expect going into this," Armstrong explained after the game. "Emotions… I feel like I handled it fine. It was pretty surreal; pretty weird coming back and playing and being on the other side. I don't really remember how it was at the start. I'm thinking about how the game finished."Â
"The first quarter the wind was behind us and it was blowing pretty good," Dave Doeren said. "[Brennan] had a lot of energy, which you expect in the stadium, and overthrows a few guys. I think he settled in and he started playing better."
Armstrong found a calming connection with true freshman KC Conception.Â
The first play of the second quarter, the left-hander lofted a perfect pass to the corner of the end zone that only Conception had a chance to catch. It was his first touchdown at NC State.
Later in the second, facing a third and 14, Virginia brought pressure but Armstrong stood in the pocket and delivered a 30-yard strike just before being hit by the blitz. The Pack would end the drive with Delbert Mimms' 4th rushing touchdown of the season.
After Virginia cut the deficit to a single point late in the third, the veteran found the rookie again, showcasing Conception's yards-after-catch skills. One move, a key block from Porter Rooks and it was off to the races for a 48-yard touchdown. On the night, Conception caught six passes for 116 yards and 2 scores; sparkling numbers for the true freshman.
"This doesn't  scare him," Armstrong said. "He doesn't hesitate. He likes this stuff. He enjoys it. Trust me. KC enjoys the lights. But it doesn't affect him."
Two fourth quarter, defensive plays helped the Wolfpack win. Transfer Bishop Fitzgerald made a diving tip that Sean Brown saved before the ball hit the turf - a play that would end up on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10. On Virginia's next possession, Ayden White picked one off at the goal line for a crucial red zone interception. Make that two appearances by the takeaway bone in the fourth!
Now it's on to another Friday night, ACC matchup with Louisville coming to town for the Pack's first home game under the lights.Â
