Kevin Concepcion takes leap as NC State's No. 1 receiver
Kevin Concepcion played in 3 college football games before taking the prime time stage at Scott Stadium. One year ago, the freshman receiver was making plays every Friday night in high school.
In his ACC debut, a weeknight showdown on ESPN, Concepcion took another impressive step forward. NC State’s leading receiver hauled in 6 passes for 116 yards, scoring his first 2 collegiate touchdowns during a 24-21 win over Virginia.
On his first score of the game, he faked a screen near the goal line, and quarterback Brennan Armstrong found him in the end zone for his first college TD.
“It is definitely amazing,” Concepcion said. “I can’t even put words on it, but best believe that ball is going to my mom.”
UVA tried to cover Concepcion in man coverage, and he created separation consistently throughout the game. Armstrong targeted him 10 times, and the receiver averaged 19.3 yards per catch. Head coach Dave Doeren complimented the key playmaker for the Pack.
“KC’s playing fast, he’s playing well, he’s hard after the catch for people as well,” Doeren said.
Through 4 games, Concepcion leads the Wolfpack in receptions with 22. Julian Gray is the next-closest receiver with 7. The freshman has emerged as Armstrong’s most consistent and explosive target.
Armstrong also shared a key factor behind the receiver’s outstanding start— he does not get caught up in the stage of any moment or game.
“This doesn’t scare him,” Armstrong said. “He doesn’t hesitate, he likes this stuff. He doesn’t care about the lights, he enjoys it. Trust me, KC enjoys the lights, but it doesn’t affect him.”
After securing the win, Concepcion reflected on the game, saying he has loved football ever since he was a child, which helped make this moment special. The receiver acclimated to the college game quickly, and he dominated during his first 100-yard performance.
“It’s just the intensity of the game,” Concepcion said. “It just makes me go.”
Armstrong and Concepcion connected at least once on each of the program’s 3 touchdown drives. The quarterback said the freshman’s youth might be playing in his advantage, as he takes the field and just focuses on playing football.
Concepcion is off to a great start, and the Wolfpack signal-caller is impressed.
“He’s making plays for us,” Armstrong said.
The receiver broke off a 48-yard reception on a touchdown where he found space in the slot and weaved through the UVA secondary to reach the end zone. That was the longest play of the night for the Pack.
“Really, I just saw open grass, so I just took it,” Concepcion said.
Going into the rest of the fall, the team is focused on closing out games, and the freshman said the Pack will take a step forward and learn from this win. Concepcion has played in two primetime games in four weeks.
Now, he is excited to return home to Raleigh for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Louisville.
“There’s nothing like the Carter-Finley,” Concepcion said.
