College Sports

Photos: NC State falls to Kansas State in first Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando

By Ethan Hyman

Updated December 29, 2023 10:36 AM

N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) stiff-arms Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) stiff-arms Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

ORLANDO

The No. 18 N.C. State football (9-4, 6-2 ACC) team was defeated by No. 25 Kansas State (9-4, 6-3 Big 12) 28-19 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Thursday.

N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong rushed for over 100 yards in the first half, but was held to just four yards in the second half.

Kansas State had two touchdown runs called back due to penalties in the fourth quarter, but scored on another to seal the win.

N.C. State’s KC Concepcion (10) and Delbert Mimms III (34) hug late in the fourth quarter during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State’s KC Concepcion (10) and Delbert Mimms III (34) hug late in the fourth quarter during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) gains yards while pursued by Kansas State defenders during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) gains yards while pursued by Kansas State defenders during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Shyheim Battle (7) tackles Kansas State’s DJ Giddens (31) during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State’s Shyheim Battle (7) tackles Kansas State’s DJ Giddens (31) during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) makes a 40-yard reception over Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) makes a 40-yard reception over Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Trent Pennix (6) breaks free to score on a 60-yard fake punt during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State’s Trent Pennix (6) breaks free to score on a 60-yard fake punt during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Kansas State cornerback Keenan Garber (1) tackles N.C. State wide receiver Dacari Collins (86) after Collins made a reception during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — Kansas State cornerback Keenan Garber (1) tackles N.C. State wide receiver Dacari Collins (86) after Collins made a reception during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) walks off the field after Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) walks off the field after Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State cornerback Aydan White (3) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas State wide receiver Keagan Johnson (10) during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State cornerback Aydan White (3) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas State wide receiver Keagan Johnson (10) during the second half of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren walks off the field after Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren walks off the field after Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State running back Kendrick Raphael (20) hurdles over Kansas State cornerback Justice James (5) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State running back Kendrick Raphael (20) hurdles over Kansas State cornerback Justice James (5) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

DUPLICATE***N.C. State defensive tackle C.J. Clark (5)***N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) celebrates after a long run during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — DUPLICATE***N.C. State defensive tackle C.J. Clark (5)***N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) celebrates after a long run during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Wolfpack fans cheer during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — Wolfpack fans cheer during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Trent Pennix (6) can’t pull in the loose ball after Kansas State fumbled a punt during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State’s Trent Pennix (6) can’t pull in the loose ball after Kansas State fumbled a punt during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) looks up after failing to make the first down on fourth and one during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) looks up after failing to make the first down on fourth and one during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) looks for running room during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) looks for running room during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) makes the reception while defended by Kansas State safety Marques Sigle (21) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) makes the reception while defended by Kansas State safety Marques Sigle (21) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Kansas State quarterback Jake Rubley (2) escapes from N.C. State defensive end Travali Price (13) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — Kansas State quarterback Jake Rubley (2) escapes from N.C. State defensive end Travali Price (13) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Wolfpack fans react after Kansas State scored in the fourth quarter of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — Wolfpack fans react after Kansas State scored in the fourth quarter of Kansas State’s 28-19 victory over N.C. State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

From left, N.C. State’s Delbert Mimms III (34), Keyon Lesane (15) and Sean Brown (0) get ready to run out onto the field to warm up before N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — From left, N.C. State’s Delbert Mimms III (34), Keyon Lesane (15) and Sean Brown (0) get ready to run out onto the field to warm up before N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren watches during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. — N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren watches during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published December 28, 2023 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Photos: NC State falls to Kansas State in first Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando."