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August 29, 2024
Raleigh, NC– In front of a sold-out crowd at Carter Finley Stadium, the 24th ranked (AP Poll) NC State Wolfpack (1-0,0-0) played host to in-state non-conference foe Western Carolina (0-1,0-0) on a steamy summer night in Raleigh. The Wolfpack kicked off their 2024 season after a stellar 9-4 2023 season coupled with a Pop Tarts Bowl appearance against the Kansas State Wildcats. The Western Carolina Catamounts, coming off a 3rd-place finish in the Southern Conference, entered 2024 with a top 25 FCS ranking as well.
Head Coach Kerwin Bell, entering his 4th season as head coach, once again has the Wildcats in the hunt for the Southern Conference title. The Wildcats were picked to finish 3rd in the Southern Conference. The Wildcats return the SoCon offensive player of the year in quarterback Cole Gonzales. Gonzales was once again selected as the preseason 2024 Offensive Player of the Year in the SoCon. The Catamounts have a total of 10 players selected for the preseason All-Conference teams.
Head coach Dave Doeren, entering his 12th season, has the Wolfpack ranked in the preseason once again and expectations are high in Raleigh. The Wolfpack return the National Freshman of the Year Kevin Concepcion and added numerous players in the transfer portal. The Wolfpack, expected to compete for the Atlantic Coast Conference crown in 2024, entered the night coming off 5 wins in their last 6 games including the last 5 of the regular season.
1st Half
Western Carolina struck first with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Cole Gonzales to Jake Young in the back of the end zone giving the Catamounts an early 7-0 lead. The 1-play scoring drive was aided by a Catamount interception by Ken Moore, Jr. McCall’s pass was returned 51 yards to the Wolfpack 8 yard and was followed up by the Young touchdown reception.
NC State would respond quickly with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Grayson McCall to Noah Rodgers. The scoring drive was 7 plays and 75 yards and tied the game up at 7-7. McCall went 3-3 on the drive for 58 yards. The Catamounts would regain the lead on the 2nd touchdown pass of the night by Gonzales. This time he went to A.J. Colombo for the 12-yard score. The Catamounts came out with a balanced attack on the drive. The drive was aided by a 50-yard run from Gonzales. The Catamounts would take a 14-7 lead into the 2nd quarter.
Kevin Concepcion opened up the second quarter with a 5-yard touchdown reception from McCall. The Wolfpack went 75 yards on the drive culminating in the McCall touchdown pass. The score tied the game again at 14-14. The score would remain tied heading into the half. Grayson McCall would lead the Wolfpack passing attack at the half going 14-20 for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hollywood Smothers was the leading rusher with 25 yards on 2 carries. Kevin Concepcion finished the half with 7 catches for 80 yards and 2 TD’s. Defensively, the Pack were led by Donovan Kaufman with 5 total tackles.
The Catamounts were led in rushing and passing by Cole Gonzales. Gonzales finished the half 13-21 for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added an additional 55 yards rushing on 2 carries. AJ Colombo had 4 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown to pace the Catamount passing game. Bo Simpson-Nealy and Hayward Mcqueen, Jr. each had 5 first half tackles to lead the Catamount defense.
2nd Half
Kanoah Vinesett gave NC State its first lead of the night at 17-14 on a 46-yard field goal. The score came at the 8-minute mark of the third quarter. The lead was short lived as the Catamounts would regain the lead with 4:36 on a Branson Adams 17-yard touchdown run giving the Catamounts a 21-17 lead. The Catamounts carried the 21-17 lead into the 4th quarter.
NC State needed only 15 seconds in the 4th quarter to regain the lead on a 35-yard touchdown pass from McCall to Kevin Concepcion. The Wolfpack would grab the 24-21 lead. The grab for Concepcion was his 8th of the evening tallying 115 yards and 3 touchdowns. NC State would tack on another TD at the 6:32 mark on a 7-yard run by Jordan Waters extending the lead to 31-21.
Jordan Waters would tack on a late 50-yard touchdown run with 1:50 left in the game. Waters would finish the night with 20 carries for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Wolfpack in rushing. Grayson McCall would finish the evening 26-40 for 318 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. Kevin Concepcion led the Wolfpack in receiving finishing with 9 catches for 121 yards and 3 touchdown grabs.
The Catamounts were led in rushing and passing by QB Cole Gonzales who showed why he was chosen as preseason SoCon player of the year. Gonzales finished the night 22-35 for 211 yards and 2 touchdown passes to go along with another 75 yards rushing. AJ Colombo would end the night with 9 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Next up for NC State is a showdown in Charlotte for the Duke’s Mayo Kickoff on September 7th against Tennessee.
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