NC State football's Brayden Narveson kicks game-winning field goal in win at Virginia
NC State football survived in its ACC opener with a 24-21 win at Virginia.
The Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 ACC) and the Cavaliers (0-4, 0-1) were in a 21-21 game in the fourth quarter before NC State held on behind a career night from freshman wide receiver KC Concepcion and a game-winning field goal by Brayden Narveson as time expired. Concepcion finished with six catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
After spending five years at Virginia, NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong returned to Charlottesville with a solid performance for the Wolfpack. Armstrong completed 15-of-30 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 46 rushing yards.
NC State's defense had a pair of interceptions and Julian Gray had a key return in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning 33-yard field goal by Narveson.
Here’s what stood out in NC State’s ACC opener.
NC State football wide receiver KC Concepcion emerging as go-to target
Freshman wide receiver KC Concepcion has been NC State’s top receiver through four weeks. Concepcion made an instant impact in Friday’s game with four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in the first half to help the Wolfpack carry a 14-7 lead into halftime. The Charlotte native had 16 catches for 122 yards in the first three games before hauling in his first TD against the Hoos. His 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave NC State some breathing room.
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NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong returns to Virginia
Armstrong set several records during his time as a Cavalier. In Friday’s game, the southpaw made key plays to lead his new squad to a road win. His 12-yard touchdown pass to Concepcion gave NC State an early lead before another connection with Concepcion gave the Wolfpack a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter.
NC State linebacker Payton Wilson is relentless
Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson, the ACC’s leading tackler, continues to shine as one of the top defenders in the nation. Wilson entered Friday’s game averaging a league-best 11 tackles before racking up 13 tackles against the Cavaliers. The senior has logged double-digit tackles in three consecutive games.
NC State returns to Raleigh to face Louisville
The Wolfpack returns home for another Friday night game to face undefeated Louisville (3-0) at 7 p.m. inside Carter-Finley Stadium. NC State is 4-8 against the Cardinals, including a 25-10 loss in Kentucky last season.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football: Wolfpack's KC Concepcion stars in win at Virginia
