RALEIGH — KC Concepcion revealed that the North Carolina State football coaching staff delivered a crucial message during the locker room talk on Thursday night.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us. Of course, we anticipated a blowout win, but not every game will go that way,” Concepcion commented following the Wolfpack’s 38-21 victory over FCS rival Western Carolina.
As a 33½-point favorite, the Wolfpack found themselves trailing at the start of the fourth quarter but stormed back with a 21-point outburst led by Concepcion and running back Jordan Waters.
Concepcion scored three touchdowns, while Waters added two in the fourth quarter, helping N.C. State avoid a disappointing start to the season at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Despite the win, Concepcion acknowledged the need for improvement. “If we play against No. 15 Tennessee like we did against the Catamounts, it could be a challenging night on September 7 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.”
In the first half, N.C. State had opportunities for two interceptions on the opening drives but failed to capitalize and also saw linebacker Caden Fordham ejected during the same sequence. Offensively, the Wolfpack struggled with an interception, nearly fumbled twice, and ended the half with consecutive drives that resulted in turnovers on downs.
“Our start was slow, and it was just first-game nerves,” defensive lineman Davin Vann explained. “Moving forward, we need to approach every quarter with a fourth-quarter mindset.”
Despite the nerves and frustrations, head coach Dave Doeren praised the team’s second-half performance, noting the growth shown throughout the game. “Our guys woke up a bit and started playing better,” Doeren remarked.
Quarterback Grayson McCall had a strong debut, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns. However, he echoed Concepcion’s sentiment regarding the need for improvement as they prepare for the Vols at the Duke’s Mayo Classic. “I don’t think I played my best ball, and I don’t think we played our best. But I’m glad we secured the win,” McCall stated. “There’s a lot to improve on, and we have the opportunity to grow next week.”