Musings on Armstrong, KC, Wilson and Doeren after NC State’s Win Over VT

NC State is now 8-3 after defeating Virginia Tech 35-28 today, and 5-2 in ACC play. 8 wins didn’t seem like a possibility after the Duke loss. Vegas picked the Wolfpack to win 6.5 games before the season began.

Brennan Armstrong won his first game against the Hokies. While Armstrong was the starting Quarterback for Virginia, he lost in the two games he played against them.

Armstrong was unbelievable today, passing for over 200 yards, and rushing for over 100 yards. He rushed for 2 touchdowns, and threw 2 touchdowns. On the night, he was 18 of 26 for 203 yards with a Passing Efficiency Rating of 160.2. Armstrong also rushed the ball 21 times for 89 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. These rushing numbers are massively skewed, because he lost 21 yards rushing kneeling the ball on the final 3 plays. In reality, he rushed for over 100 yards.

Kevin Concepcion continued to show why he’s the best True Freshman in the nation. What can the kid not do? He had 7 receptions for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns. KC also rushed the ball 9 times for 44 yards. Did I mention he threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Tight End Trent Pennix? Concepcion already holds the record for most Touchdown Receptions and Receptions by a True Freshman in school history. Tonight, he passed Bo Hines, and now has the 2nd most receiving yards in NC State history by a True Freshman, trailing only Koren Robinson (KC – 636/Robinson – 853).

Payton Wilson was flying all over the field, finishing the evening with 11 tackles, a sack, and 3.5 tackles for loss. Wilson passed Vaughan Johnson tonight, claiming sole possession of 6th place in NC State history in career tackles (Wilson – 287/Johnson – 384). He also passed Isaiah Moore, Carl Reeves and Willie Young tonight in career Tackles for Loss, and now sits in 4th place, trailing his former teammate Drake Thomas by half a Tackle for Loss (Wilson 46 TFL/Thomas 46.5).

The Wolfpack has now won 8 games or more in 4 consecutive seasons, which has never been done in the history of the NC State football program. Let that sink in.

After losing his first two in Blacksburg, Head Coach Dave Doeren won his first game against the Hokies on their turf.

The Wolfpack managed to go on the road, and win in a place that few NC State teams have. Today’s game was the 17th time the two teams have played in Blacksburg, and this is only the 3rd Wolfpack team to come away victorious (1951 and 2004).