Three takeaways from N.C. State’s emphatic, 39-20, college football win over North Carolina

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye had a message before the annual rivalry game between his Tar Heels and N.C. State.

“If you go to Carolina, you want to beat State,” Maye said last week.

The Wolfpack (9-3, 6-2 ACC) took that to heart and defeated the Tar Heels (8-4, 4-4 ACC), 39-20. The victory gave N.C. State its fifth straight win, while the loss is the Tar Heels’ fourth in their past five FBS contests.

Photos: NC State football dominates UNC in season finale

N.C. State has now won three straight against the Tar Heels, the second time that’s happened under head coach Dave Doeren.

Here are three takeaways from N.C. State’s win:

Wolfpack wins after huge first half

If anyone was worried about the Wolfpack being in a slump after Thanksgiving, those concerns were quelled pretty quickly. N.C. State dominated the first half, finding success in all three phases of the game.

The Wolfpack racked up 327 yards on offense, recorded 12 explosive plays and possessed the ball for 22:06 of the first two quarters. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong completed 16-of-24 passes, including a 43-yard toss to wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion.

Additionally, Concepcion picked up 86 yards, including 43 after his catches, bullying his way through coverage to haul in passes and extend plays. He did a backwards somersault in the end zone to score. Fellow receivers Keyon Lesane, Bradley Rozner and Porter Rooks all added at least 30 receiving yards, as well.

The team went into the break with all the momentum after scoring on all six of its first half drives.

On defense, N.C. State held the Tar Heels scoreless through five drives and significantly pressured Maye by collapsing the pocket. He started 0-of-5 and finished with 58 yards and one touchdown through the first portion of play.

The hot start forced Carolina to punt four times – three of which put the Wolfpack near midfield – and N.C. State quickly regained possession on the second drive after a forced fumble.

When the offense couldn’t quite get into the end zone, place kicker Brayden Narveson came in clutch, kicking four field goals. Kicker Collin Smith and the remainder of the special teams forced UNC to start drives deep in its own territory.

Poor start dooms Heels

It was over by halftime for the Heels.

A lot of football was still to be played but the outcome all but decided. Players were slipping on the turf. Drake Maye was being harassed in the pocket and off target throwing the ball and Omarion Hampton, the ACC’s leading rusher, was a non-factor running the ball.

As for UNCs defense, it couldn’t stop the Pack from scoring points. The Pack was six-for-six in the red zone while the Heels were firing blanks on possession after possession. UNC could not convert a third down, going 0-5.

By halftime, NCSU’s Brennan Armstrong had thrown for 232 yards and two TDS and Maye had 58 yards after completing four of 10 passes. Maye did have a 15-yard scoring pass to John Copenhaver late in the half, but after the Pack took a 23-0 lead.

Maye had a 56-yard run early in the second half and then scored the TD. He also ran for a two-pointer, only to have it called back after a UNC holding penalty.

It was that kind of night for Maye and the Heels.

Keeping it rolling

The Wolfpack offense continued its incredible turnaround on Saturday. It not only topped the four previous performances but put up some of its best numbers all season.

N.C. State finished with 504 yards, going 8-8 in the red zone – all on consecutive drives.

Armstrong also continued his comeback tour, topping out at a season-high 334 yards and three touchdowns. The graduate transfer threw for more passing yards in the regular season finale than his last two outings combined. He finished without an interception in the third straight contest, as well.

The Pack struggled with explosive plays early this season, but it looked competent and confident once again. N.C. State picked up 17 explosive plays, with seven different players accounting for the positive yardage.

Doeren previously said the team knew it would take awhile to get the offense where it wanted, but the last several games have proven offensive coordinator Robert Anae’s system is finally working.