NC State spoils Wake Forest's Senior Day, winning 26-6

By Wade Allen, WRAL contributor

NC State Wolfpack	26
Wake Forest Demon Deacons	6
Final

Final: NC State beats Wake Forest 26-6.

NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong completed 12 of his 17 throws for 111 yards and a touchdown. He also led the game with 96 rushing yards on 15 attempts and one score.

After Mitch Griffis left the game in the first quarter with an injury, backup QB Michael Kern stepped in, finishing the game 14-16 passing with 147 yards along with one touchdown and one interception.

The Wolfpack out-totaled the Demon Deacons on offense with 379 yards to 163.

4th Quarter:

The Demon Deacons convert on a fourth and one with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Michael Kern to Hilton "Deuce" Alexander II. On the 2-point conversion attempt, Kern is intercepted by Jaylon Scott at the goal line. Scott returned the pick 100 yards for a two-point swing. NC State leads 26-6.

On his third attempt of the game, Brayden Narveson makes a 45-yard field goal to extend the Wolfpack lead by 3. NC State in front 24-0.

Wake Forest quarterback Miachael Kern is intercepted by the Wolfpack's Sean Brown, returned 33 yards to the Demon Deacon 34-yard line.

3rd Quarter:

After driving 32 yards on 8 plays, the Wolfpack offense stalled. Brayden Narveson then missed from 38 yards away, his second failed attempt of the game. The score stays locked at 21-0 for the Wolfpack.

NC State's Robert Kennedy stripped the ball from Wake Forest's Ke'Shawn Williams, recovered by Shyheim Battle. The Wolfpack will start their next drive on their 48-yard line.

After driving 39 yards on 12 plays, NC State turned to kicker Brayden Narveson for a 54-yard field goal attempt which was missed wide left. The score remains, 21-0. Wake Forest takes over on their own 36-yard line.

NC State will receive the second half kickoff.

Halftime: NC State leads Wake Forest at the half, 21-0.

Wolfpack quarterback Brennan Armstrong was 6-8 for 48 yards passing with one touchdown. He also leads the game with 86 rushing yards with a score as well.

Wake Forest’s quarterbacks have combined for 48 yards passing on 6-14 attempts.

NC State's defense has held the Demon Deacons to just 45 total yards of offense, getting to the quarterback with three sacks and allowing -3 rushing yards.

2nd Quarter:

After recovering a Kendrick Raphael fumble, Wake Forest went 15 yards on 8 plays, which resulted in a 39-yard field goal attempt from Matthew Dennis. The kick was missed wide right, and the score remains 21-0.

NC State running back Delbert Mimms III pushed his way into the end zone from 1-yard out for a touchdown, finishing a 5-play, 58-yard drive. Following the point after, the Wolfpack lead grows to 21.

On fourth and goal from the one-yard line, QB Brennan Armstrong bulldozed his way through the right side of the line for a touchdown. A 12-play, 65-yard drive that accumulated over seven minutes of possession; Brayden Narveson made the extra point, extending the Wolfpack lead to 14-0.

1st Quarter:

Penalties and sacks to blame for the Demon Deacons after their third three and out. NC State will start their next drive on their own 35-yard line.

Two plays later, Quarterback Brennan Armstrong found Julian Gray in the corner of the end zone for a 20-yard Wolfpack touchdown. Kicker Brayden Narveson's PAT made the score 7-0.

Following a three and out on Wake Forest's opening drive, NC State responded with a double-reverse on their first offensive play to Kevin "KC" Concepcion, who found a hole for 65 yards, down to the Wake Forest 19-yard line.

Pregame:

NC State has won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Wake Forest will receive the opening kickoff.

Preview:

The Wolfpack are looking for the third straight win as they take on Wake Forest this Saturday, November 11th at 2 p.m. NC State will be on the road for the Big-4 Battle, being unable to secure a win in Winston-Salem since 2015.

This will be NC State's first game since Quarterback MJ Morris decided to redshirt this season. Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong is expected to become the starter once again, already appearing in 8 games this season. He has completed 94-of-160 passes for 971 yards and five touchdowns. He's also thrown six interceptions. Armstrong is the team's leading rusher with 337 yards and three touchdowns on 81 attempts.

The game also comes just days after linebacker Payton Wilson was named a Butkus Award semifinalist for the 2023 season. The Hillsborough, N.C. native leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally with 11.7 tackles per game.

"He is the best defensive player in college football right now." head coach Dave Doeren said. "What his impact is on the field during a game. I just don't know if anyone has that on their team."

The two squads have a long history dating back to 1895, with NC State holding the advantage 68-42-6. You can watch the game on The CW.