QB Brennan Armstrong leads N.C. State past Virginia Tech

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th November, 19:10 2023

Nov 18, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) runs from Virginia Tech Hokies defensive lineman Norell Pollard (3) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. credits: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Brennan Armstrong ran for two touchdowns and tossed a pair to Kevin Concepcion, propelling North Carolina State to a 35-28 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

In their final road contest this season, the Wolfpack (8-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) built a two-touchdown lead in the second quarter and held on for their fourth straight win.

Armstrong was 18 of 26 for 203 yards. He rushed 21 times for 89 yards.

Concepcion caught seven passes for 63 yards. The dynamic wide receiver also threw a TD.

The Hokies (5-6, 4-3) saw Kyron Drones complete 17 of 30 passes for 225 yards with three TDs and one interception.

Da'Quan Felton caught seven passes for 87 yards and two scores, while Stephen Gosnell had one TD catch.

The Hokies will try to become bowl eligible in their season finale next Saturday at the rival Virginia Cavaliers.

A transfer from Virginia, Armstrong set up the visitors with a 21-yard throw to Trent Pennix to the Virginia Tech 12 on the first play of the second quarter.

The quarterback soon rolled to his left and tossed his first TD to Concepcion, a 3-yarder, at 12:04 for a 7-0 lead.

On the Wolfpack's next series, Armstrong ended an eight-play, 60-yard drive by calling his own number from the 1 and ducking in for a 14-0 lead at 4:46.

After a 50-yard return by Bhayshul Tuten on the ensuing kickoff, the Hokies found momentum by turning to a bit of trickery on the first play.

Drones rolled to his left and pitched the ball on a reverse to Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw, who dashed untouched 47 yards down the right side only 20 seconds after Armstrong's score.

Armstrong was at it again to end the half when he answered with a perfect 28-yard strike to Concepcion, leaving the Wolfpack with a 21-7 halftime lead with 18 seconds remaining.

In the third, Armstrong rushed in for his second TD at 9:03, but Drones followed by hitting Felton from 42 yards just 53 seconds later to make it 28-14.

Concepcion added to the Wolfpack's advantage by taking a handoff and finding Pennix for a 17-yard reception at 5:53 in the third quarter.

Felton and Gosnell had TD receptions in the final quarter.

—Field Level Media

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