UNC Finishes Regular Season 8-4 After Loss to North Carolina State
RALEIGH, N.C. (PSF)—The Tar Heels were defeated on the road 20-39 by NC State as UNC’s turnovers, penalties and miscommunication prove to be costly in this game.
Photo Credits: Anthony Sorbellini, UNC Athletics
Offense:
UNC’s offense began this game with a three-and-out, foreshadowing how the offense would perform for the rest of the game.
North Carolina State struck first with a 32-yard field goal. With the ball back in UNC’s hands, quarterback Drake Maye fumbled the ball on his 16-yard run and State recovered it. This led to another 40-yard NC State field goal.
Shortly after, NC State wide receiver Kevin Concepcion scored an 11-yard receiving touchdown, extending State’s lead over UNC.
After yet another UNC three-and-out, Concepcion, after slipping, caught another 6-yard receiving touchdown. On their next drive, State scored a 28-yard field goal, making the score 0-23.
With about five minutes left in the first half, the Tar Heels finally generated enough momentum to score a 15-yard receiving touchdown by tight end John Copenhaver.
NC State, determined to score again before the end of the first half, started marching down the field. With time winding down and no timeouts left, NC State was stopped at the one-yard line. Frantically getting the field goal team on the field, NC State kicked the “may-day” field goal. UNC trailed by 19 going into the locker room.
Coming back out for the second half, referees informed the stadium that the ending kick was to be re-kicked after review found NC State had 12 men on the field. The kick was still good.
State received the ball to start the second half and started strong with a 20-yard receiving touchdown by WR Dacari Collins.
UNC responded with a touchdown of their own after Maye’s 56-yard run set up his one-yard rushing touchdown. The Tar Heels decided to go for the two-point conversion, which was originally successful but was called back because of offensive holding and Maye spiking the ball. The 44-yard extra point was good.
NC State did not let this deter them as a deep 45-yard pass to Concepcion, with the help of UNC penalties, led to Concepcion’s seven-yard rushing touchdown. State also decided to go for the two-point conversion, but it was unsuccessful.
The Tar Heels were not giving up and Maye connected with WR Tez Walker for a 21-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, the two-point conversion failed.
Still down 19 points, UNC tried an onside kick, but State recovered it at the UNC 44. Nothing came of this as State punted on this drive.
Early in the fourth quarter, Maye’s pass was tipped and intercepted by NC State. State did not capitalize on Maye’s second turnover of the night and went three-and-out.
UNC fans were nervous after Maye was injured in the middle of the fourth quarter. He went into the medical tent where his ankle was heavily taped and came back in on the next drive.
Unfortunately, Maye’s last pass in this rivalry game was tipped and intercepted yet again, the third turnover of the night, and secured NC State’s 20-39 win over UNC.
Maye finished the night completing 58% of his passes, throwing for 254 yards, two passing touchdowns, rushing for 106 yards, a rushing touchdown, two interceptions and a fumble. The offensive line continues to be a problem as Maye was pressured almost the entire night, sacked twice and hit many times.
Running back Omarion Hampton was very quiet today and only rushed for 28 yards.
NC State came into this game ready to play and it showed. They scored on their first eight possessions and ultimately outplayed the Tar Heels.
Defense:
UNC’s defense looked discombobulated this entire game. The Tar Heels’ defense is known for being inconsistent and this was another game where this was evident.
The Tar Heels only sacked QB Brennan Armstrong once and let him throw for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
Concepcion is a force to be reckoned with and was one UNC’s defense could not stop. The rookie WR finished the night with 55 yards rushing, 131 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Cedric Gray continues to be the leader of UNC’s defense and led this game with 17 total tackles, half a sack and one tackle for loss.
The Tar Heels defense struggled against this explosive NC State offense and showed that NC State should not be counted out.
Takeaways and Looking Forward:
Time of possession was a huge factor in this game. NC State had the ball for two times the amount of time that UNC did—20 minutes versus 40 minutes. This lopsided time of possession fatigued UNC’s defense faster and showed that NC State had control of this game in many ways.
The field conditions at Carter-Finley Stadium seemed to be terrible this game. Many players from both teams were continuously slipping and this contributed to several missed plays.
The penalties in this game were costly, especially for UNC. The Tar Heels had nine penalties for 99 yards and displayed that messy football does not produce wins.
Injuries for UNC also seemed to be pivotal in this game. Key kick returner and defensive back for UNC’s defense Alijah Huzzie was inactive this game due to an injury he sustained last week against Clemson. Wide receiver J.J. Jones sustained a shoulder injury in this game.
Maye’s ankle injury seems to not be an issue, but he has not declared for the NFL Draft, nor has he stated if he will play in the bowl game.
Both UNC and NC State are eagerly awaiting to hear their bowl game matchups and will probably be tuning into the ACC Championship where Louisville will take on Florida State on Dec. 2.