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NC State Newsstand: Pack takes home 2 ACC player of the week awards

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell10/31/23ethanmmcdowell
Payton Wilson-4
Oct 14, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) looks on before the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

NC State star graduate student linebacker Payton Wilson and elite freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion are continuing to pile up ACC accolades. Following standout performances against Clemson, they both took home player of the week awards.

Concepcion scored 2 touchdowns for the Pack against the Tigers, racking up a team-leading 134 total yards in the process. He received his third ACC rookie of the week honor as a result.

“While his first touchdown of the game was a nine-yarder, the second score was a simple slant that he turned into a 72-yard dash to the endzone for the longest reception of the season for the Wolfpack,” the ACC wrote in its press release. “He tallied 77 yards after the catch in the receiving game and recorded a 50-yard rush, which was the longest rush of the year for NC State. Concepcion ranks third among true freshmen in the FBS with 5.2 receptions per game and fourth overall in the ACC.”

The first-year wide receiver leads all Wolfpack pass catchers with 42 receptions for 493 yards, lining up in the slot, outside and in the backfield.

Wilson left the Clemson game early with an injury, but he still earned his fourth ACC linebacker of the year award after the win.

The graduate student recorded 8 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and returned an interception for a touchdown.

“Wilson ended up scoring what would be the winning touchdown for the Pack, as he picked off Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and returned it 15 yards – going airborne for the score,” the ACC wrote. “Wilson continues to lead the ACC in tackles per game, ranking sixth in all of the FBS.”

Through 8 games, the linebacker has recorded 89 total tackles, which ranks second amongst all Power Five linebackers.

Tweets of the day

Concepcion also won On3’s true freshman of the week award for the second time this season.

The ACC released its new football scheduling model Monday, and the Wolfpack will not have to travel that far compared to its conference peers.

The new schedules also ended the program’s annual rivalry with Clemson.

Wolfpack men’s basketball hosts a preseason scrimmage this week.

NC State quote of the day

This quote is from head football coach Dave Doeren, discussing Concepcion.

“KC is a huge spark, a very explosive player,” Doeren said. “It’s impressive to me, I can’t say enough about how he’s able to do so much as a freshman. To play in the slot in this offense is a lot. There’s a lot that goes on in there in Robert’s offense as a slot receiver, but then to be able to get into the backfield and run the football, to be able to go outside and play the way he did.”

Today’s top NC State headlines

NC State news and views: Dave Doeren analyzes Clemson win

ACC unveils new scheduling model, NC State’s opponents over next 7 years 

NC State football releases depth chart ahead of Miami matchup

NC State coach Dave Doeren: ‘We need to practice like we just lost the game’

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