Brennan Armstrong scores first touchdown of NC State career

The wait for Brennan Armstrong under center at NC State is over — and his first drive showed him to be as advertised.

Armstrong took in a three-yard quarterback keeper for an equalizing score after the defense allowed a UConn touchdown on the game’s opening drive. The incoming transfer finished the drive 3-for-3 for 19 passing yards and rushed for nine more, including the score that doubled as the first of his Wolfpack career.

The veteran QB showed his excitement after the score. You can watch the moment below:

Textbook Brennan Armstrong for the first Wolfpack touchdown of 2023@PackFootball | #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/6ZXnLnsYKc

— Collin Wilson (@_Collin1) August 31, 2023

Brennan Armstrong comes to NC State with high expectations

Losing Devin Leary to the transfer portal left NC State without an identity under center. It wasn’t long before they picked their own quarterback out of the portal, snagging the Virginia transfer for his final season of eligibility.

Leary and Armstrong are the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks in the transfer portal this season, which makes Armstrong’s commitment a fair return on the Wolfpack’s investment. 

During his career at UVA, Armstrong was a reserve for Virginia during his first two seasons in the collegiate ranks. He would burst onto the scene after earning the starting nod in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and would not look back. He had 2,117 passing yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games during the COVID season.

He followed up that season with an even better one in 2021, throwing for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns on his way to capturing the Dudley Award, which is given to the best player from the state of Virginia. Last season, Armstrong suffered through multiple injuries under first-year head coach Tony Elliott. 

He would finish the year with 2,210 yards while completing 185 of his 338 pass attempts but had seven touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions.

Brennan will travel to his former school on Sept. 22 — and emotions are sure to be running high. Although, Brennan wouldn’t tell you that, as he’s focused on winning as many games as it takes to reach the top.

“It’s another game. I think every ACC game is going to be very important, especially without the divisions now. The top two go to the ACC Championship game,” Armstrong said. “It’s going to be a good experience. Boos, cheers, whatever comes with it, I’m just there to win a game. That’s my mindset going into that game.”

Before Armstrong can focus on Virginia, he’ll face a stiff test during Week 2 when NC State hosts No. 13 Notre Dame.