Three takeaways from NC State’s last-minute win over Virginia on second-chance field goal
Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren threw his hands up in the air, running onto the field after winning its conference opener in stunning fashion.
N.C. State (3-1, 1-0 ACC) defeated Virginia (0-4, 0-1 ACC), 24-21, in an exciting matchup that didn’t lack any drama.
Virginia made a late-game push with a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game. Wolfpack kicker Brayden Narveson’s 48-yard field goal attempt with three seconds remaining was blocked, but a personal foul on the Cavaliers gave him another attempt from 33 yards out.
He made it.
Both teams finished with multiple explosive plays and big tackles. The offenses each had dropped or off-target passes. Tropical Storm Ophelia brought rain. but the Pack — and former Cavaliers QB Brennan Armstrong — came out on top. The Wolfpack extended its series lead to 37-22-1, winning five of the last six and three straight.
Three takeaways from Friday’s game:
NC State continues containment issues
From the season opener, one of the primary concerns about the defense was its ability to consistently limit explosive plays. It’s fair to continue to have those worries.
The Wolfpack gave up six explosive plays, including a 42-yard pass in the second and a 59-yard pass in the third. Both eventually led to points for UVA.
N.C. State gave up an 80-yard touchdown against Notre Dame. It also allowed other pass plays of 28 yards, 40 and 65 yards. Those don’t even include passes or rushes between 10 and 25 yards.
Against UConn, the team allowed a 71-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The defense has shown its abilities to respond and play tough. Linebacker Payton Wilson showed it with his team-leading tackles. Safeties Bishop Fitzgerald and Sean Brown tag teamed for a deflected pass and interception.
Junior cornerback Aydan White intercepted a pass on the N.C. State 1-yard line in the fourth quarter, returning the ball to the 10.
N.C. State, however, can’t rely on miracle plays to win games. It needs steady defense that can keep the big plays at bay.
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Big catch Concepcion
True freshman wide receiver Kevin “K.C.” Concepcion has a chance to be a legitimate star for the Wolfpack. He made some mistakes and dropped some passes early in the season, but it appears he’s settled into the role.
Concepcion scored his first career touchdown just five seconds into the second quarter. He grabbed a 12-yard pass from Armstrong, putting the Pack on the board first.
The rookie added a slick 30-yard reception on third-and-14 to give N.C. State a much-needed first down. Two plays later, Concepcion grabbed a 14-yard pass from Armstrong. Both plays contributed to a touchdown drive to take a 14-7 lead.
Concepcion added a second touchdown on a 48-yard, career-high reception.In addition to the touchdowns, the freshman finished with his best performance of the season. Concepcion contributed 122 yards on 16 catches in the first three games. He surpassed 60 yards before half time on Friday and totaled 116 yards on six catches.
The Charlotte native showed fans what they have to look forward to in the future.
Payton Wilson remains key contributor
The linebacker returned to N.C. State for a sixth season, and he’s been a leader on and off the field. Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson previously called Wilson the “heartbeat” of the defense. He continued to show that against the Cavaliers.
Wilson carried much of the defense against UVA. The graduate student made two drive-ending tackles in the first quarter alone and finished with four total. One came against Cavaliers running back Mike Hollins at midfield.
He added a tackle on third down, which forced the Cavaliers to attempt a field goal instead of going for the touchdown.
Head coach Dave Doeren has praised Wilson for much of the season, saying the defensive scheme starts with his longtime linebacker.
“He ran a kid down in the game and had 23.4 miles an hour on the GPS. That’s the fastest we’ve ever had at NC State,” Doeren said after the loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 9. “That kid plays so hard. That’s where it starts, because everybody in this entire program — there’s just so much respect to the level of fatigue the guy ends up with at the end of a practice (and) game. He just spends it all out there.”
Wilson is up to 46 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, one interception, three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
This story was originally published September 22, 2023 at 7:08 PM.
