On November 30th, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill hosted North Carolina State University at Kenan Memorial Stadium for the annual rivalry game. This game was a thrilling, competitive matchup, which resulted in UNC falling to NC State with a final score of 35-30.
This night was more than just a football game. It was a long-anticipated rivalry, Head Coach of Carolina Mack Brown’s last football game coaching, a gateway for NC State to participate in a bowl game, and an intense back-and-forth battle between the Wolfpack and Tar Heels, marked by critical plays.
From the beginning of the game, tensions were high. NC State had won three consecutive years in a row over UNC, so Carolina fans were hoping for a different outcome at this yearly game. These tensions proved to remain, as during the first half of the game, every player on both teams got an unsportsmanlike conduct foul, and if a player received a second one of these, they wouldn’t be eligible to play the rest of the game.
NC State quarterback CJ Bailey was instrumental in this key victory, as he connected multiple key passes, one being the amazing pass thrown to Daylan Smothers to score a game-winning touchdown with just about 25 seconds left in regulation. NC State’s defense also came out on fire and contributed to this win.
For UNC, the most pivotal player in this game was running back Omarion Hampton. He made a large impact in scoring a touchdown with around 1:51 left in the fourth quarter on his 75-yard run. Despite all the efforts from the Tar Heels, the team was unable to maintain the lead they gained in the final quarter.
At the end of the game, NC State fans cheered in triumph while Carolina fans bowed their heads and left the stadium. Players from both teams all came to the center of the field, and many fights with one another broke out.
North Carolina State attempted to plant its flag in the middle of the field, on North Carolina’s soil. This was obviously unaccepted by Carolina, and wide receiver for UNC JJ Jones threw their flag back into the stands. This seemed to be a common theme among many rival games occurring on this Saturday, such as Michigan on Ohio State’s field and Florida on Florida State’s field.
Green Level student Katie Hummel attended the UNC vs. NC State game, cheering on the side of the Wolfpack. Hummel believed it was such a fun experience for all fans, despite the outcome, and she loved going with her family, making it another fun activity over her Thanksgiving break.
When asked about the game, Hummel stated, “The game was so thrilling. From the start, I was hoping State would win, but honestly couldn’t depict a clear winner. It was so close the entire game and really had me on edge.” Katie also states that she hopes to attend the next rival game between these teams in 2025.
This win was a testament to NC State’s resilience and strategic execution in tight games, and this victory definitely left NC State fans excited for the upcoming bowl game season.
