No. 22 NC State scores at will, routs North Carolina

Field Level Media|published: Sat 25th November, 23:52 2023

Nov 25, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack receiver KC Concepcion (10) runs after a catch against North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Will Hardy (31) during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. credits: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Brennan Armstrong threw for three touchdowns and No. 22 North Carolina State used a dominating first half and went on to defeat visiting North Carolina 39-20 on Saturday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Armstrong, a graduate transfer from Virginia, threw for 334 yards on 22-for-31 passing. KC Concepcion was on the receiving end of two touchdowns among his seven catches for 131 yards in the Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

Drake Maye threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions as North Carolina (8-4, 4-4 ACC) lost for the fourth time in six weeks. Maye rushed for a career-high 106 rushing yards, but the conference's leading rusher, Omarion Hampton, was limited to 28 yards on nine carries.

NC State (9-3, 6-2), which won its fifth straight, scored on its first eight possessions — four field goals, four touchdowns — to build a 39-14 lead.

Armstrong threw second-quarter touchdown passes of 11 and 6 yards to Concepcion. Brayden Narveson kicked four field goals (32, 40, 28 and 24 yards) in the first half.

The Tar Heels were within 39-20 and driving to the Wolfpack 19 early in the fourth quarter, but Maye's pass was deflected, and linebacker Payton Wilson made a diving interception.

The Wolfpack, on their way to a third consecutive victory against their long-time rival, built a 23-0 lead before the Tar Heels scored.

Then an unusual sequence developed. Narveson kicked his fourth field goal — a 19-yarder — on what appeared to be the last play of the half.

When the teams came back to the field after the break, the officials waved off the field goal the Wolfpack had 12 players on the field for the kick. Narveson then backed up for his 24-yarder, and the score reverted to 26-7.

Still, NC State held a 327-123 advantage in total offense in the first half.

North Carolina's first five possessions had four three-and-outs and a fumble.

The Tar Heels got on the board on Maye's 15-yard pass to John Copenhaver. Maye's 1-yard run and his 21-yard pass to Tez Walker accounted for North Carolina's second-half touchdowns.

—Field Level Media

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