NC State avoids embarrassing start to 2024 season by escaping Western Carolina

NC State almost opened its season in the worst possible way.

The Wolfpack hadn’t lost a game to an FCS opponent since 1987. Western Carolina had lost 30 consecutive games to ACC teams dating back to 1980. And yet, when the fourth quarter opened Thursday night at Carter-Finley Stadium, the 24th-ranked team in the country found itself trailing 21-17.

In the end, NC State was able to rally in the fourth with 21 unanswered points to avoid embarrassment and leave with a 38-21 victory.

NC State was far from clinical in its 2024 season opener. The Wolfpack fumbled the ball 3 times, though they didn’t lose any of the 3. Quarterback Grayson McCall threw an interception in his debut. The defense gave up 361 yards of offense at 6.1 a play. The offense was hit in the backfield for a loss 9 times.

But the stars showed up for NC State to push it over the finish line.

McCall rebounded well right in the face of his interception and ended the night with 318 yards and 3 scores through the air on 26-for-40 passing.

Wideout Kevin Concepcion was on the receiving end of all 3 touchdown passes, giving him his sixth mult-score game in just his 14th career appearance for the Wolfpack. He finished with 121 receiving yards on 9 receptions — his fourth career 100-yard game. A 35-yard touchdown catch put NC State on top for good on the second play of the fourth quarter.

And Duke transfer running back Jordan Waters ran for 123 yards and 2 scores — both in the fourth — on 20 carries.

NC State piled up 521 yards of offense while handily winning the time of possession battle. After a bad third quarter (80 yards on 21 plays, outscored 7-3), NC State had 211 yards of offense in just the fourth quarter.

Waters was a huge reason why. He had runs of 10 yards, 20 yards, and 50 yards. A 7-yard rushing score put NC State up 31-21 with 6:33 to play in the game. The 50-yard scamper provided the final score of the evening and put the finishing touches on the comeback.

House call!!!!!#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/GxaCPBa29s

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) August 30, 2024

NC State closed as a 32.5-point favorite in the game at ESPN Bet. No one will feel good about a 17-point win that NC State had to scratch and claw for. Especially not with a game against No. 15 Tennessee looming in Charlotte next Saturday.

But the Wolfpack now have a raw idea of where they need to improve. And they’ve got a longer-than-usual prep week to address those warts. Next Saturday’s game against the Volunteers kicks at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.