North Carolina looks to regroup in Thanksgiving week rivalry game against NC State

By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

North Carolina Tar Heels	20
NC State Wolfpack	39
Final

Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina and NC State enter rivalry week with matching records despite getting there in vastly different ways.

The Tar Heels (8-3, 4-3 ACC) will try to beat the Wolfpack for the first time since the 2020 season.

“We’ve got our hands full going into NC State this weekend,” Brown said.

Kickoff between North Carolina and NC State is set for 8 p.m. Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium. The game airs on the ACC Network.

NC State head coach Dave Doeren echoed Brown's sentiments.

“Every rivalry I’ve been a part of, it’s the same way,” Doeren said. “It’s just great pageantry, and it’s one of my favorite weeks in college sports.”

Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, the ACC Championship Game is already set. Florida State will play Louisville on Dec. 2 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

“Rivalry games are like a whole season,” Brown said. “It’s something that heroes are made in. It’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

“So, nothing matters this week except for focusing on this game. It’s a great rival.”

Saturday marks Senior Day for the Wolfpack. NC State (8-3, 5-2 ACC) has 11 players who are out of eligibility when the 2023 season ends, Doeren said.

“As a head coach, something I take really personally to be in that tunnel with them the last time for those guys that are true seniors with no eligibility left,” Doeren said.

The Tar Heels have lost three of their last five games, including Saturday’s 31-20 road loss to Clemson.

“The game was really an even game,” Brown said. “We didn’t score twice at the 1-yard line.”

In two of North Carolina's three losses this season, the Tar Heels got dominated in time of possession:

• During Saturday’s loss to Clemson, the Tigers had the ball for 38 minutes and 11 seconds.
• During the Oct. 21 loss to Virginia, the Cavaliers had the ball for 37 minutes and six minutes.

“We weren’t going to beat Clemson unless we stayed on the field, and they stayed on the field,” Brown said of his team’s efforts against Clemson. “We couldn’t stop them.”

Meanwhile, the Wolfpack have won four of their last five games. NC State has won five consecutive games, including Saturday’s 35-28 road win against Virginia Tech.

Saturday marks the fourth time Brown will coach against NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong and standout linebacker Payton Wilson.

Armstrong played against North Carolina three times as the starting quarterback at Virgnia:

• North Carolina beat Virginia 31-28 last season
• North Carolina beat Virginia 59-39 in the 2021 season
• Virginia beat North Carolina in the 2020 season

“I’ve kind of grown up with him here,” Brown said of Armstrong.

Brown spoke of Armstrong’s ability to scramble.

“He is definitely a dual threat and he’s a problem,” Brown said of Armstrong.

Brown also said he was proud of Wilson and NC State freshman receiver KC Concepcion’s performances.

“I’m proud of those guys,” Brown said. “When they play well, you’ve got to be proud of kids.”

Wilson is one of five finalists for the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented to the top defensive player in college football.

"His impact is huge," Doeren said of Wilson.

Mack Brown addresses rumors of retirement

On Monday, Brown addressed rumors he would retire after the 2023 season. Brown said he was getting text messages last Thursday asking about his plans.

“I thought, if I was going to quit, I wouldn’t go to Clemson,” Brown said. “I’d be in the mountains.”

At the age of 72, Brown is the oldest coach in Division I college football.