CHAPEL HILL – In a breathtaking finale to their regular season rivalry, NC State rallied from behind to defeat North Carolina 35-30 in a heart-stopping contest that epitomized the unpredictability of college football and captured the up-and-down nature of the 2024 college football season for both teams.
The game at Kenan Stadium was a rollercoaster of momentum, with both teams trading blows in a match that wasn't decided until the final moments. The Wolfpack's dramatic victory came courtesy of a late surge that saw them score 22 points in the fourth quarter, transforming a 20-23 deficit into a memorable triumph.
Hollywood Smothers emerged as the hero for NC State, scoring two crucial touchdowns, including the game-winning 2-yard rush with just 25 seconds remaining. His performance was complemented by quarterback CJ Bailey, who threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, orchestrating the Wolfpack's remarkable comeback.
For North Carolina, quarterback Jacolby Criswell delivered an impressive statistical performance, throwing for 273 yards and three touchdowns. His connection with Omarion Hampton was particularly dynamic, with Hampton accounting for 263 all-purpose yards – including a spectacular 75-yard touchdown rush in the third quarter that momentarily seemed to put UNC in control.
The game's momentum shifted repeatedly, with neither team able to establish a decisive advantage until the final quarter. NC State's resilience was most evident in their fourth-quarter transformation. After trailing 20-23, they scored 15 unanswered points, capped by Smothers' dramatic final touchdown.
Key turning points included NC State kicker Kanoah Vinesett's field goals, which kept the Wolfpack within striking distance. His three successful kicks – from 41, 40, and 28 yards – proved crucial in maintaining NC State's competitive stance throughout the game.
Hampton was a standout for UNC, recording 185 rushing yards and 78 receiving yards, including a pivotal 47-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter that briefly gave the Tar Heels hope. However, his heroics were ultimately overshadowed by NC State's late-game heroism.
The statistical battle was remarkably close. NC State finished with 462 total offensive yards compared to UNC's 468, highlighting the game's competitive nature. The Wolfpack's ability to convert in critical moments – particularly their perfect 6-for-6 in red zone opportunities – proved to be the decisive factor.
The victory gives NC State a 6-6 record, ending their season on a high note with a dramatic win over their in-state rivals. For North Carolina, the loss leaves them also at 6-6, ending their season with disappointment in a game that could have gone either way.
Although neither team lived up to the expectations set out in the preseason, each team becoming bowl eligible provided some solace as each squad would get at least one more chance to practice and play together as a team for the final time.
The game's final drive encapsulated the drama – NC State marching 75 yards in just 1 minute and 26 seconds, with Smothers punching in the game-winning touchdown that sent the Wolfpack sideline into jubilant celebration.
In a rivalry as intense as this, it was a fitting conclusion to a season of unpredictability and passion.
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