Game Balls: Standouts from NC State’s win over Clemson

NC State jumped out in front of Clemson and never looked back as it downed the Tigers 24-17 at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The win is the Wolfpack’s second straight victory over the Tigers in Raleigh. 

The Wolfpack was paced by its defense in the win, as it was responsible for a touchdown and helped set up another in the victory. NC State sophomore quarterback MJ Morris was 11-of-20 for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Pack earned its second ACC win of the fall. 

NC State handed Clemson its fourth ACC loss, which is tied for the most under coach Dabo Swinney, and marked the first time the Tigers dropped back-to-back ACC games since 2010.

TheWolfpacker.com is acknowledging those that sparked the Wolfpack in the with three game balls after NC State’s fifth win of the 2023 campaign.

WR Kevin Concepcion: The freshman sensation had a standout day against the Tigers with _ all-purpose yards. Concepcion sparked NC State’s two touchdown drives. The first was as he accounted for 59 of the 60 yards on the team’s first score — including a 9-yard touchdown reception to put the Pack up early. Concepcion extended NC State’s lead with a 72-yard pitch and catch in the third quarter to give the red and white a three-score lead. The game marked Concepcion’s third multi-touchdown contest of the season. 

S Devan Boykin: Boykin, the Wolfpack’s veteran safety, was all over the field for NC State against Clemson. He logged eight tackles and had one tackle for a loss and an interception. Boykin’s interception turned into the Wolfpack’s first touchdown drive of the day, which was capped by a Concepcion 9-yard touchdown reception. 

LB Payton Wilson: The midseason All-American continued his dominant play in the middle of NC State’s defense against the Tigers. Wilson recorded eight tackles with 1.5 tackles for a loss, but his biggest play came as a ball carrier. He caught a tipped pass and ran it in for a 15-yard interception for a touchdown to give NC State a 10-point advantage early in the third quarter. The interception was Wilson’s fifth of his career and the second of the season. 

DE Davin Vann: The Cary, N.C., native sacked Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with 31 seconds to play to bring up third-and-19 near midfield. Vann’s tackle helped keep the Tigers from scoring the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter. He logged five tackles including 1.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries.