The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1513610
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 ■ 29 finishing the regular season with 1,064 all-purpose yards. NC State recognized his talent and skill early in the year and quickly made him the offensive focal point. Concepcion caught 64 passes for 767 yards, and his 10 touchdown catches ranked second in the ACC. He racked up multiple touchdowns in five games during the 2023 season. The dynamic receiver made plays in the slot, out wide and in the backfield. During a win over Virginia Tech, Con- cepcion even tossed a touchdown pass to graduate tight end Trent Pennix. He made the All-ACC second team, took home the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year and overall Rookie of the Year honors and also received On3's na- tional Offensive True Freshman of the Year award. Defensive MVP Payton Wilson took home the But- kus Award, recognizing him as college football's top linebacker, as well as the Chuck Bednarik Award, an accolade that goes to the most outstanding de- fensive player in the country. The sixth-year linebacker received those honors after being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Wilson led the conference in tackles (138) and stops for loss (17.5). He also recorded 6 sacks, 3 interceptions, 9 passes defended and 2 fumble recoveries. All of those statisti- cal feats ranked in the ACC's top 15. Wilson was a unanimous first-team All-American, the fourth member of the Pack to ever receive that honor. "He is the best defensive player in college football right now," head coach Dave Doeren said in November. Special Teams MVP Long snapper Joe Shimko capped a six-year Wolfpack career with another perfect season. He did not record a bad snap in more than 500 attempts during his tenure with the Pack, helping sup- port Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Christopher Dunn, NFL punter Trenton Gill and others. Following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, Shimko was named the winner of the Patrick Mannelly Award, which recognizes the nation's top long snapper. Game Of The Year NC State and UNC's two previous matchups were decided in the final mo- ments, with the Wolfpack winning in both 2021 and '22. This year, the Pack left no room for doubt on Senior Night, dominating the Tar Heels from the opening drive of the resounding 39-20 win. North Carolina came into this game boasting the No. 1 offense in the ACC. NC State held its ri- val, led by soon-to-be first-round NFL Draft pick quarterback Drake Maye, without a single passing yard in the first quarter. Graduate quarterback Brennan Arm- strong continued his re-emergence into the starting lineup, playing his best game of the season during his final home appearance of the year. He com- pleted 22 of 31 passes for 334 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. NC State scored on its first eight posses- sions of the game. Defensively, the Pack held UNC to 20 Freshman receiver Kevin "KC" Concepcion caught 64 passes for 767 yards during his first regular season in Raleigh. His 10 touchdown grabs ranked second in the ACC. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS