NC State checked off every possible box tonight in their 39-20 beat down of UNC tonight. The 19-point margin of victory, is the largest over the Tar Heels since 2014, when the Wolfpack beat their rivals 35-7 in Chapel Hill in Doeren’s 2nd year on the job.
The UNC defense was advertised to be terrible, and terrible they were. NC State dropped 504 yards of Total Offense on the Heels, which is the 2nd most yards they have allowed all season. The 504 yards of offense is the most by the Wolfpack this season, and the most since they accumulated 538 yards of offense against Charleston Southern in Week 2 of last season. If you’re wondering when was the last time NC State had 500+ yards of Total Offense against an ACC opponent, that would be when they had 518 yards against Louisville in 2018.
NC State needed their stars to shine tonight, which meant Quarterback Brennan Armstrong and Wide Receiver Kevin Concepcion needed to show up on offense, and Linebacker Payton Wilson needed to shut things down on defense.
Check. Check. Check.
Armstrong, who due to a rib injury, didn’t throw all week long, played like the warrior he is. It was clear early on that he wasn’t able to run with the level of ferocity that we are used to seeing, sliding on runs in order to protect himself. If it hurt him to throw the ball, you wouldn’t have known it. Armstrong was 22 of 31 for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns (0 interceptions), with a Passing Efficiency Rating of 193.4, which is his highest rating ever against an ACC opponent, and the third best overall.
Concepcion led NC State in receiving with 7 receptions for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also led the Wolfpack in rushing, with 11 carries for 55 yards. He was dinged up all night long, going into the injury tent on two separate occasions, but nothing could seemingly keep him off the field. I agree with Brennan Armstrong, who in a postgame interview said “I’ve never seen a True Freshman like him before.”
NC State absolutely dominated the time of possession battle, possessing the ball for an insane 40:00, compared to UNC’s 19:54.
The Wolfpack offense also took care of the football, failing to commit a turnover.
On the other hand, the Wolfpack defense forced the Tar Heels to commit 3 turnovers, with two of those being interceptions by Drake Maye.
When you win the time of possession battle by double and boast a +3 turnover margin, you are dominating your opponent.
Speaking of domination, Linebacker Payton Wilson might have forced the hand of the voters for the Nagurski, Butkus and Bednarik Awards. There is no better defensive player in college football. Wilson finished the night with 15 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception. Absolutely absurd.
The Wolfpack defense held UNC to 384 yards of total offense, which is their 2nd lowest offensive production of the season.
Tar Heel Running Back Omarion Hampton was the nations leading rusher heading into this week, but NC State rendered him useless, rushing 9 times for 28 yards. Of course, that’s a season low for Hampton.
Drake Maye’s Passing Efficiency Rating was 120.9, which is his 2nd lowest of the season. Maye more than likely is leaving UNC having never beat NC State, which brings a huge grin to my face, after he ran his mouth last year. Two of his three worst performances in 2 seasons came at the hands of the Wolfpack defense. Priceless.
Wide Receiver Tez Walker has seemed unstoppable this season after being cleared to play, that is, until he faced Cornerback Aydan White. Walker was targeted 11 times, and finished with only 2 receptions for 29 yards.
NC State finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, a 6-2 ACC record, and a 3rd place finish in the conference. Payton Wilson should be Defensive Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year. Kevin Concepcion should be the ACC Rookie of the Year. Dave Doeren should be heavily considered as the ACC Coach of the Year.
There’s nothing better than ending the regular season with a good old fashion beat down of UNC.
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