Three takeaways from NC State’s 28-19 loss to Kansas State in Pop-Tarts Bowl

Wolfpack fans will have to wait a little bit longer for that elusive 10th win.

N.C. State (9-,4 6-2 ACC) fell to Kansas State (9-4, 6-3 Big 12), 28-19, on Thursday in the inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl.

The Wildcats led by as many as two touchdowns in the first half, but the Wolfpack clawed back and made it a two-point game. Unfortunately, N.C. State’s defense couldn’t stop K-State in the fourth quarter and fell short of its goal.

A victory would have given N.C. State its second season with 10 wins or better, but that will have to wait for at least one more year. The only other team to reach double-digit wins came in 2002, led by quarterback Philip Rivers, when it defeated Notre Dame, 28-6, in the Gator Bowl.

The Wolfpack finshed with 399 yards of total offense, while the Wildcats logged 436. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong led the team with 121 rushing yards and added a touchdown. Armstrong completed 14-of-28 passes and 164 yards.

Freshman receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion hauled in seven catches for 72 yards, while graduate tight end Trent Pennix contributed a 60-yard rushing touchdown.

This was the first meeting between the two teams in program history, and the loss ended the Pack’s five-game winning streak.

Here are three takeaways from the Wolfpack’s loss.

Wolfpack squanders late opportunities

N.C. State had multiple opportunities to stop the Wildcats and get back on offense in the fourth quarter, but it was unable to pick up important stops.

Two Kansas State touchdowns were called back in the fourth quarter due to penalties. Officials called the Wildcats for an illegal block to the back on a would-be punt return touchdown. Seven plays later, a second touchdown was reversed due to a holding penalty.

Instead of picking up a stop in the 15 available plays, the Wolfpack allowed an 11-yard touchdown with less than three minutes remaining — essentially the third touchdown of the drive.

Armstrong’s pass on the following drive was intercepted, effectively ending the game.

Let’s get funky

N.C. State’s offense in the two halves looked a lot like it did this season: conservative and stagnant early and explosive later on.

Armstrong carried the offense in the first quarter, running for 67 out of the team’s 77 total yards. He scored the team’s first touchdown on a 31-yard rush.

As the game progressed, the team went with some higher risk plays that carried higher rewards. While that translated into some mistakes — including a sack on a two-point conversion attempt — it also led to a 38-yard reception by redshirt sophomore receiver Dacari Collins and a 40-yard catch from Concepcion.

Additionally, a fake punt led to a 60-yard touchdown from Pennix and made it a two-point game.

The early play calls didn’t really make sense and things looked uncertain when the Pack was down by 14, but the Pack responded. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae should’ve gone with the crazier plays sooner, but it was good to see the bounce back.

Payton Wilson deserved all those awards

Plenty of football fans expressed disappointment that their preferred players did not win the Bednarik or Butkus awards, noting N.C. State’s record. The Wolfpack, however, saw on Thursday just how important he was in the team even earning bowl eligibility.

The defense struggled with the Kansas State offense without the linebacker who recorded 138 of the team’s 744 total tackles. K-State not only scored on the first drive of the game, but it recorded nine explosive plays and 256 yards in the first half alone — with a freshman quarterback Avery Johnson making his first start.

Johnson evaded multiple N.C. State tackles en route to a third Kansas State touchdown to end the second quarter. On the first drive of the third, the Pack recorded two tackles for loss while giving up a first down.

There’s plenty of promise with the remaining defenders, but N.C. State will need several guys to step up in the offseason to replace Wilson’s contributions and provide more defensive consistency.

Follow along for live updates from the game.

Pennix scores on fake punt

N.C. State cut the Kansas State lead to 21-19 with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Graduate tight end Trent Pennix recorded a 60-yard rushing touchdown after a fake punt, capping off a 75-yard drive. Earlier in the game, the Wildcats gained 30 yards on a fake punt and scored on the drive.

Narveson makes second FG

The Wolfpack started the second half with a field goal on its first drive. Graduate place kicker Brayden Narveson added three points to N.C. State’s stat line after making a 49-yard attempt.

Narveson kicks 26-yard field goal

Narveson recorded a 26-yard field goal to end a 57-yard drive. At halftime, the Wildcats recorded 256 yards, while the Pack finished with 223 yards.

Wildcats add to lead

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson ran the ball for a 19-yard touchdown, with 55 seconds left in the second quarter. Johnson evaded multiple Wolfpack defenders en route to the end zone.

NC State scores first TD of game

Graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong scored a 31-yard touchdown to cut the Wildcat lead in half. Armstrong led all rushers with 129 yards.

His touchdown and subsequent PAT capped off a 76-yard scoring drive.

Wildcats go up two possessions

Kansas State scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, taking a 14-0 lead. The Wildcats’ 90-yard drive included a 30-yard gain on a fake punt and 28 yard pass.

End 1: Wildcats lead Wolfpack, 7-0

After giving up a touchdown on the opening drive, N.C. State’s defense held Kansas State scoreless in its remaining possessions. The Pack’s offense, however, was unable to convert on its opportunities.

K-State scores first

The Wildcats scored a 37-yard touchdown on 4th and 5, putting Kansas State up seven. N.C. State gave up three explosive plays on the drive, including 38 rushing yards.

Fordham to start at linebacker

Redshirt sophomore Caden Fordham is expected to start at will linebacker in place of graduate student Payton Wilson. Wilson, an NFL Draft prospect, opted to sit out of the bowl game.

Fordham recorded 48 total tackles, three TFL and two quarterback hurries in the regular season. His best game took place at Virginia, when he contributed 12 tackles and eight solo.

This story was originally published December 28, 2023 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Three takeaways from NC State’s 28-19 loss to Kansas State in Pop-Tarts Bowl."

Jadyn Watson-Fisher

The News & Observer