NC State beats UNC on senior day to extend winning streak: ‘This is all culture right here’
It’s been more than 1,128 days since North Carolina beat N.C. State and that streak will hold for at least another year — or more than 1,400 days.
The Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels, 39-20, on Saturday to end the regular season on a five-game win streak. The turnaround has been nothing short of impressive, especially since things looked precarious a little more than a month ago. Linebacker Payton Wilson said after the 28-3 loss to Duke that the team needed to be tougher.
Well, there’s nothing weak about guys pushing through pain — quarterback Brennan Armstrong didn’t even throw a pass in practice this week — and pulling off wins they were never expected to win.
How did they do it this time? NASCAR mentality.
The Tar Heels were picked to win the game, despite momentum and home field advantage. Head coach Dave Doeren told his team to use their emotions — whether about senior day or the rivalry — to fuel its performance.
“I told the players: I wanted them to be emotional in this game, but I wanted them to use their emotions, not lose their emotions. There’s a difference in that,” Doeren said. “I also told them to get UNC to the brink, where they would get penalties. You know, get those guys in that state, be physical — within the rules — and, man, go after them.
“You drive that race car as fast as you can, you come around those turns, but you don’t crash the car. You play hard and fast, and you play with emotion. And that’s what this game is supposed to be. It’s supposed to be an emotional game.”
It’s not burying emotions but using them effectively.
The numbers prove it.
N.C. State put up a season-high 504 total yards and picked up points on eight straight drives, while holding the Tar Heels to 384 yards, one of their lowest offensive outputs this year.
Armstrong threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. Freshman Kevin “KC” Concepcion contributed 186 all-purpose yards.
The defense added 55 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for a loss, two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.
“This is all culture right here. If you want to have culture, come to Raleigh,” Wilson said in a postgame TV interview. “Them boys in blue don’t know about it.”
Wilson contributed 15 tackles, eight solo, one sack, a fumble and an interception.
He and Armstrong are among the 13 players who cannot return next season and played their final regular-season game for the Wolfpack.
Armstrong had his best performance of the season. It meant a lot after a prolific career at Virginia that ended in tragedy, to being removed — then reinstated — as the Wolfpack starter this season.
“I’ve had a few senior days, and I just kept coming back. I was like, ‘This is the one. I have no more eligibility left,’” Armstrong said. “This is my last game and it feels really good to put in a five game winning streak and come out here and beat Carolina.”
