Wolfpack Win Streak Over UNC Reaches Five Games with 42-19 Victory

Saturday, November 29

Raleigh, NC

7:30 pm

NC State

7-5 , 4-4

UNC

4-8 , 2-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

North Carolina

NC State

Wolfpack Win Streak Over UNC Reaches Five Games with 42-19 Victory

11/30/2025 12:32:00 AM | Football

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C.- NC State (7-5, 4-4) closed out the regular season and sent the seniors out victorious with a 42-19 victory over UNC on Saturday night from Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack followed freshman quarterback Will Wilson as he led the way with four rushing touchdowns on his way to a historic night.

The Pack victory extends the winning streak to five in the rivalry, tying the most in the matchup's history, which dates back to 1892 – the oldest rivalry game in the ACC. Head coach Dave Doeren is now the third coach to win five consecutive games in the 115-game rivalry. The other two were Dick Sheridan from 1988-92 and Tom O'Brien from 2007-2011.

The Wolfpack offense was aggressive and opportunistic throughout the night, going 4-for-4 on fourth downs, including a fake punt. Each of those drives ended with seven points.

True freshman quarterback Wilson finished the night with 54 yards on the ground on 12 attempts with four touchdowns – all career highs.

The four rushing scores mark the single-game NC State record for rushing scores by a quarterback. It also stands as the second most by a Wolfpack freshman all-time, with running back T.A. McLendon finishing a game with five in 2002.

The only other quarterbacks with three rushing scores are Russell Wilson in 2010 and CJ Bailey last season against Georgia Tech.

Quarterback Bailey finished the day 21-30 for 201 yards on 70% completion and two touchdowns to go along with 65 yards on the ground – the second most of his career. Wesley Grimes and Justin Joly were his favorite targets, both coming away with five receptions and a touchdown. Grimes finished with 61 receiving yards, and Joly 30.

NC State's QB room combined for 320 of the Wolfpack's 386 total yards.

Linebacker Caden Fordham had another great showing in the middle of the Wolfpack defense. The P4's leading tackler racked up 12 more to go along with 1.5 TFLs, 2 PBUs, and a sack.

The Pack defense came away with four sacks on the day, the most since achieving the same number in October of last year against Cal. Contributing to the sack total alongside Fordham were Travali Price, Brandon Cleveland, and Tra Thomas.

The Tar Heel run game was held stagnant for the majority of the night. They finished with just 2.9 yards per attempt and had negative rushing yards until the third quarter.

UNC won the toss and chose to put the ball in the hands of Bailey and the Wolfpack offense. They capitalized on the opportunity, marching down the field on an 11-play touchdown drive capped off by a Grimes reception from 15 yards out.

Short yardage specialist Wilson kept the drive alive on a 4th & 2 just inside enemy territory to set up the score. He finished 3-3 on fourth down attempts, keeping him perfect on the season.

The Wolfpack defense continued its momentum from last week's lockdown performance on UNC's first drive, forcing a quick three-and-out punt.

The Pack offense marched right back down the field again, this time completing the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run from Wilson, taking a 14-0 lead.

The Tar Heels responded on their next possession with a 20-yard strike to the corner of the end zone, cutting the lead to seven.

Dave Doeren's aggressive mindset continued with the Pack attempting a fake punt on its own 34-yard line. The risk paid off with freshman tight end Preston Douglas plunging past the line-to-gain on what was the first touch of his young career.

The drive ended in another Wilson rushing score, this time from one yard out. The score marked Wilson's second time this season with at least two rushing touchdowns.

The NC State defense would then hold the Tar Heels to a 49-yard field goal, making it an 11-point game.

The fourth down aggression continued for the Pack with Wilson converting once again, this time on a 4th & 1 on the UNC 43 with just under a minute to play in the half. Terrell Anderson followed it up with a 29-yard one-handed, back-shoulder snag to the UNC 1.

Joly finished the drive with his seventh receiving score of the campaign with 0:18 left in the period. The score marks the ninth touchdown reception from a NC State tight end this season – the most in all of FBS.

It marks the first time that the Wolfpack has had four consecutive touchdown drives in a half since November of last year against Stanford.

The Pack took a 28-10 lead going into the half. That marks the fifth time this season they have been ahead at halftime and are now 5-0 when doing so.

Both offenses came out of the break stagnant, combining for four straight three-and-outs with UNC quarterback Gio Lopez leaving the game due to injury.

Replacement Max Johnson injected some life into the unit with his dual-threat ability before a red zone stand by the NC State defense held them to a 29-yard field goal.

The Wolfpack offense answered quickly to the tune of yet another Wilson rushing score, powering his way in from 15 yards out for his third rushing touchdown of the day.

Defense came up big once again, with Thomas getting to the quarterback for a sack and forcing a fumble in the process that Sebastian Harsh recovered on the UNC 42.

Once again, Wilson turned it into points from a yard out with his record-breaking fourth rushing touchdown of the contest. That marks his ninth touchdown run this season on just 39 attempts for South Carolina's reigning Mr. Football recipient.

UNC would score a four-yard passing touchdown as the clock dwindled for the final score of the game before a failed two-point try, bringing the final score to 42-19 in favor of the Wolfpack.

The NC State win moves the all-time series to 41-68-6 and 9-4 under Dave Doeren.

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.