The 2023-2024 college football season has been one to remember for the Wolfpack. A season that began with questionable play and doubt turned into a solid 9-3 record, good for third in the ACC and yet another bowl game. The season was capped off perfectly with a blowout win against rival UNC-Chapel Hill. Here’s a look at the guys who made this season possible.
The heart and soul
Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson has been the heart and center of this Wolfpack team. Not only is he the best defensive player on the team, but one could argue that he is one of the best defensive players in the nation, hence why he is a finalist for both the Dick Butkus Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award.
Wilson led the team with 138 total tackles, good for fourth in the entire nation. Wilson was second on the team with six passes defended and led the team with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He is also one of two NC State players to score a defensive touchdown this season. Finally, he was half a sack behind redshirt junior defensive end Red Hibbler’s team-leading six and a half sacks.
Being top two in most major statistical categories is no small feat, but Wilson has made it look easy. He will truly be missed in this dominant Wolfpack defense, but should prove to be a solid prospect in the 2024 NFL draft.
The second chance
Graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong transferred from Virginia in hopes of a playoff push for his final eligible season. The Wolfpack also hired his former offensive coordinator at UVA, Robert Anae. Armstrong was named the starting quarterback over sophomore quarterback MJ Morris, who was familiar with the team after starting for a few games last season.
After a heartbreaking loss to ACC rival Louisville, Armstrong found himself benched in favor of Morris. The Wolfpack sat at 3-2, and had serious questions about the future of the season. Though a prolific rusher, Armstrong had major turnover issues and appeared to have issues with deep passes. Morris won three of his four games played but chose to redshirt in favor of an extra year of eligibility.
Armstrong once again found himself under center, and did not disappoint. Through the last three games of the season, Armstrong accumulated 857 total yards and found the endzone nine separate times, all without a single turnover. He led the Wolfpack to victory in each of the remaining games, including a 39-20 blowout over rival UNC. Armstrong was once booed by fans after his shaky start, but in his final game at Carter-Finley Stadium, he emerged from the tunnel to joyous cheers and a round of applause, showing he had regained the trust of the fanbase. Armstrong now looks to lead the Wolfpack to one more victory in their upcoming bowl game.
The kid
Freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion arrived at NC State with plenty of excitement and fanfare, yet he still exceeded everyone’s expectations. Concepcion finished the regular season with 64 catches for 767 yards and ten touchdowns, all team highs.
He shattered multiple long-standing Wolfpack records, such as Koren Robinson’s freshman reception record of 48, which he set back in 1999. He also broke the Wolfpack freshman record for touchdown receptions, which was held by Kelvin Harmon with five in 2016.
As of right now, Concepcion is 86 yards away from Robinson’s freshman receiving yards record of 853. He currently averages 64 receiving yards per game, but has gotten 86 or more in three games this season, including the last game of the regular season against UNC.
Concepcion was also heavily included in the rushing attack throughout the back half of the season, taking 38 carries for 297 yards, a whopping average of 7.8 yards per carry. He finished the season second on the team in rush yards. Even if he doesn’t break the record, he has still been the most productive offensive player by far and provides an explosiveness to the offense that is incomparable.
The leader of the Pack
We always discuss players, but it would be wrong to end this recap without acknowledging head coach Dave Doeren. He’s led the Wolfpack for 11 seasons and just recently broke the record for most wins by a head coach in NC State football history, which was set by Earle Edwards from 1954 to 1970.
Doeren’s first season with the Wolfpack ended with an abysmal 3-9 record, but has since been impeccable, winning seven or more games in nine of his last ten seasons.
Although some may be disappointed in the lack of conference titles, Doeren’s consistency and perseverance is more than admirable. Doeren remains a great leader of the team and is a great embodiment of what it means to be a member of the Wolfpack.
