KC Concepcion aces test to help NC State football’s report card
NC State football overcame a feisty performance from Virginia to earn a 24-21 win in its ACC opener.
The Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 ACC) and Cavaliers (0-4, 0-1) battled in a back-and-forth game at Scott Stadium, but NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong – a Virginia transfer – and wide receiver KC Concepcion helped the Wolfpack leave Charlottesville with a conference victory. Brayden Narveson's game-winning field goal was the difference.
Veteran linebacker Payton Wilson led the NC State defense to help the program start its league schedule with a victory. Here are our grades from the Wolfpack’s ACC opener.
Offense: C
KC Concepcion was exceptional with a breakout performance against the Cavaliers, but the Wolfpack was average as a whole against a defense that allowed an average of 42 points in its first three games.
Defense: C
Payton Wilson was all over the field – per usual – but the Wolfpack defense gave up chunk plays down the stretch and allowed the Hoos to tie the game in the final minute.
HOW NC STATE EARNED AN ACC WIN: NC State football's Brady Narveson kicks game-winning field goal in win at Virginia
WOLFPACK FAN SURVEY: NC State football fan survey: How do you feel about Dave Doeren’s Wolfpack in 2023?
Special teams: A
Brayden Narveson nailed the game-winning field goal and Caden Noonkester was solid with an average of 50.7 yards per punt and two punts inside the 20-yard line to flip the field for the Pack. Julian Gray also had a solid kickoff return to set up the game-winning kick.
Coaching: B
NC State was balanced on offense and made defensive adjustments at halftime to limit the Cavaliers. Virginia's penalties thwarted any chance for momentum.
Overall: B
It wasn’t pretty at times, but ACC road games aren’t a picnic. NC State had several players step up to seal a key victory to start conference play.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Grading NC State football's win at Virginia
