Courtesy of GoPack.com
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – It was a successful start to ACC play for the Wolfpack as they took down Virginia 24-21 from Scott Stadium as Brayden Narveson hit a 33-yard field goal as time expired to give NC State the victory.
After Virginia’s offense ended up tying the game with 36 seconds left and successfully converted the two-point conversion, UVA committed 45 yards of penalties in less than a minute to set Narveson up in field goal range.
Having a big game was true freshman Kevin “KC” Concepcion, who accounted for 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.
In his return to Virginia, quarterback Brennan Armstrong was 15-30 and 180 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Armstrong also led the Wolfpack on the ground with 64 rushing yards.
After a scoreless first quarter between the two teams, it was the Wolfpack on the board first as Armstrong found Concepcion for his first career touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to give NC State the lead.
However, Virginia responded on their ensuing possession, going 75 yards on nine plays after converting a third down and eight to even the score at 7-7.
Just as they did to open the second quarter, the Wolfpack scored on their last possession of the first half as Armstrong and the NC State offense went down the field in eight plays and 67 yards as it was the Armstrong Concepcion connection again accounting for 44 yards on the drive. After a 13-yard run from Armstrong to bring the ball to the one-yard line, Delbert Mimms, III punched it in for his fourth touchdown of the season to put NC State up 14-7.
After a 59-yard catch and run from Virginia, the Wolfpack defense held strong from their own four-yard line for three straight plays, forcing a field goal from the Cavilers, which they converted from 21 yards out to make it 14-10.
Another Cavalier field goal made it a one-point game as the Wolfpack defense again held the Cavaliers to three points after the hosts threatened in the red zone.
That stop proved crucial for the Wolfpack as the ensuing drive, the Armstrong Conception connection continued with the two connecting for a 48-yard touchdown catch and run to give NC State some breathing room.
The Wolfpack defense began to take over with a pair of interceptions on back-to-back drives. First, Bishop Fitzgerald and Sean Brown teamed up as Fitzgerald tipped the pass into the air, where a diving Brown awaited. Aydan White followed with his seventh career interception as he picked off the pass in the endzone.
Notable:
- The last time NC State hit a game-winning field goal was Niklas Sade (48 yards) against Richmond in 2013.
- Punter Caden Noonkester had two punts of 67 yards to flip the field, which matches his career high. Noonkester had a total of 400 yards on eight punts.
- Kevin “KC” Concepcion caught his first career touchdown for the Wolfpack. The true freshman leads the team in receiving with 22 catches for 238 yards.
- Delbert Mimms, III has scored four touchdowns this season, the most of his five seasons with the Wolfpack.
- Payton Wilson recorded his 17th career double-digit tackle game after finishing with 10, including a sack.
Up Next: The Wolfpack return home for a Friday night game under the lights of their own as they get set to host Louisville on Sep. 29 from Carter-Finley Stadium. All fans are asked to wear black as it will be the NC State blackout game.
