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Game Balls: Standouts from NC State football’s win over Marshall

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•10/07/23•

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Trent Pennix
Oct 7, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Trent Pennix (6) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

NC State wrapped up its non-conference slate in a loud fashion as the Wolfpack downed Marshall in a 48-41 shootout on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium in front of 56,919. The Wolfpack outscored the Thundering Herd 27-17 in the second half to win in come-from-behind fashion.

Sophomore quarterback MJ Morris made his 2023 debut with a career-high 267 passing yards and four touchdowns — with three interceptions — and his teammates around him helped shake off the multiple turnover day. 

TheWolfpacker.com is acknowledging those that sparked the Wolfpack’s win with six game balls after NC State’s fourth win of the 2023 campaign. 

WR Kevin Concepcion: The freshman wide receiver dropped his first target, which resulted in an interception, but he rebounded well. Concepcion snagged a 17-yard touchdown pass for his first catch of the game, and his involvement in the offense only took off from there. He was incorporated into the offense with pop passes and an end around as well. Concepcion finished the afternoon with seven receptions for 104 yards with two touchdowns. He also added one carry for six yards. 

LB Payton Wilson: Wilson was all over the middle of the defense for the Wolfpack against the Thundering Herd. He recorded a team-high 14 tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery. The Hillsborough, N.C., native added a quarterback hurry. Wilson also downed Caden Noonkester‘s punt at the 3-yard line with under a minute to go.

DL Davin Vann: The junior defensive lineman forced a key fumble in the first half against the Thundering Herd. He punched the ball out, and it landed in Wilson’s hands, who returned the ball past midfield. Vann was a force on the defensive front all afternoon. He finished with six tackles, including 1.5sacks and the forced fumble. 

RB Michael Allen: NC State’s rushing attack struggled to find a rhythm through the first five games, but Allen spearheaded it against the Thundering Herd. The sophomore running back rushed for 70 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. He averaged 7.8 yards per attempt. His total rushing yards were the second-most by a Wolfpack running back this season — behind freshman running back Kendrick Raphael’s 85 yards against VMI . Allen broke off a 37-yard touchdown run to give the Wolfpack life in the second half. 

TE Trent Pennix: The graduate tight end entered the afternoon with eight receptions for 37 yards with a long of seven, and he surpassed that easily against the Thundering Herd. Pennix caught three passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns — all season highs — against Marshall. The Raleigh native had a 39-yard touchdown catch and a 62-yard touchdown reception to pace the Wolfpack pass catchers. 

Nickel Robert Kennedy III: The Old Dominion transfer was a turnover machine for the Wolfpack against the Thundering Herd. He stripped Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher in the third quarter before he picked him off in the fourth quarter. The interception set up a two-play touchdown drive for the Wolfpack to put the game away. 

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