Live Game Thread: Wolfpack and UNC Battle in Rivalry Matchup
In this story:
RALEIGH — Rivalry week is here and in full swing. The Triangle is no exception, as NC State and North Carolina are set to meet for the 115th time in series history to continue one of the ACC's longest and most storied rivalries. Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren will face off against first-year Tar Heel coach and NFL legend Bill Belichick.
The Tar Heels came into the season with high expectations, especially with the fascinating Belichick part of things. However, their season unraveled quickly and North Carolina enters the rivalry matchup with a 4-7 record. NC State began the season with three-straight wins, then tumbled all the way to 6-5 entering the final week of the year.
It’s about playing our brand of football 🐺#1Pack1Goal | @StateFarm pic.twitter.com/Dd4xN8OVXE
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 29, 2025
With a win, Doeren would move to 9-4 against the Tar Heels and become one of three Wolfpack head coaches to lead the program to five-straight wins over the rivals from Chapel Hill. There will be no concerns of bowl eligibility for the Pack, though, as Doeren and Co. took care of Florida State, beating the Seminoles 21-11 last time out. North Carolina suffered a one-score loss to Duke, eliminating it from bowl contention in Belichick's first year.
Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey will have a chance to win his second game against the Tar Heels after leading the Wolfpack to a close win in his freshman season. Will the young signal caller and the Wolfpack offense be able to take down the Tar Heels?
How to watch
What: NC State Wolfpack (6-5, 3-4 ACC) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (4-7, 2-5 ACC)
When: Saturday, Nov. 29
Time: 7:30 P.M. EST
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium (Raleigh, N.C.)
TV: ACC Network
Announcers: Chris Cotter (Play-by-play), Max Browne (Analyst) and Ashley Stroehlein (Sideline)
Radio: 101.5 FM (free on The Varsity Network), 162/201 Sirius/XM
Live Game Thread
PREGAME: NC State's men's soccer coach Marc Hubbard was the Alpha Wolf starter of the game. He'll lead his team against UNC Greensboro in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
PREGAME: UNC won the toss and deferred. The Wolfpack offense will get a shot right out of the gate.
START FIRST QUARTER
FOURTH-DOWN: Doeren opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 with freshman quarterback Will Wilson. The QB rushed for four yards and a first down at the UNC 40.
SCORING UPDATE: Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper dialed up a screen pass for senior wideout Wesley Grimes, who took it 15 yards for the first touchdown of the game. Kanoah Vinesett's extra point was good. NC State leads UNC 7-0, 10:10 Q1.
Grimes on the go and into end zone!#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/9KWHCqdkgj
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 30, 2025
PUNT: UNC went three-and-out, as Gio Lopez completed a comebacker route to Kobe Paysour for 8 yards. NC State will begin its second drive on its own 24-yard line.
SCORING UPDATE: Wilson capped off a 5-plus minute drive with a 7-yard touchdown rush to put the Wolfpack up 14-0, 3:26 Q1.
When there is a WILL there is a WAY. #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/OqqPqUcsva
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) November 30, 2025
PENALTY: NC State linebacker Cian Slone flagged for roughing the passer on second down. Moved the Tar Heels to their own 48.
END FIRST QUARTER
SCORING UPDATE: Lopez finds Jordan Shipp in the corner of the end zone, after the wideout beat NC State cornerback Brian Nelson II. UNC trails the Wolfpack 14-7, 13:03 Q2.
Gio Lopez DOT 🎯
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 30, 2025
📺 @accnetwork x @UNCFootball pic.twitter.com/q6c2EW1Rsk
FAKE PUNT: NC State faked the punt from its own 34, as freshman tight end Preston Douglas rushed for 2 yards and a first down.
SCORING UPDATE: Wilson with a 1-yard touchdown rush, his second of the night. Three possessions, three scores for the Wolfpack. 21-7, 7:12 Q2.
PENALTY: On 3rd-and-9, UNC didn't get the snap off and was called for a delay of game. The Tar Heels still converted a first down on the next play.
SACK: NC State defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland brought down Lopez for his second sack of the season.
PENALTY: Asaad Brown Jr. called for pass interference on a downfield pass intended for Jordan Shipp. Tar Heels on the NC State 32.
SACK: Wolfpack linebacker Caden Fordham with a massive 9-yard sack of Lopez, the second sack of the drive for the Pack.
SCORING UPDATE: Tar Heel kicker Rece Verhoff drilled his 49-yard field goal attempt. NC State still leads UNC 21-10, 1:49 Q2.
INJURY UPDATE: Freshman offensive lineman Spike Sowells down on the field with an injury. NC State driving at the end of the half.
SCORING UPDATE: Bailey hit tight end Justin Joly for a 1-yard touchdown, Joly's sixth of the season. The Wolfpack leads 28-10. Only 18 seconds left in the half.
HALFTIME - NC State leads 28-10
START THIRD QUARTER
PUNT: Lopez fell down on a double-pass play, forcing the Tar Heels to punt. NC State will begin its first drive of the second half on its own 35.
PUNT and PENALTY: Caden Noonkester's first punt of the night came after a three-and-out for the Wolfpack. UNC committed an unsportsmanlike penalty on the play, pushing back the Tar Heels to their own 14.
SACK: Veteran defensive lineman Travali Price brought down Lopez for a 2-yard loss. Lopez had to be helped off the field.
PUNT: The Tar Heels booted it to the Wolfpack 42.
PUNT: Quick three-and-out for the Wolfpack. UNC takes over on its own 10.
PENALTY: NC State nickel Jackson Vick flagged for a late-hit out of bounds, UNC moved up to the NC State 22.
SCORING UPDATE: UNC adds another field goal after Max Johnson worked the Tar Heels into the red zone. NC State leads 28-13, 3:16 Q3.
PENALTY: UNC nickel Kaleb Cost flagged for holding, NC State up to the Tar Heel 24.
END THIRD QUARTER
SCORING UPDATE: Will Wilson with his third touchdown of the night, this time from 15-yards out. NC State leads 35-13.
TURNOVER: Johnson appeared to be brought down by Tra Thomas for a sack, but he fumbled the ball. Harsh picked the ball up after the Tar Heels stopped playing. First down, NC State on the Carolina 42.
SCORING UPDATE: Wilson with his fourth touchdown of the night. NC State leads UNC 42-13, 5:34 Q4.
TWO-MINUTE TIMEOUT
SCORING UPDATE: UNC freshman quarterback Au'Tori Newkirk hits Jordan Owens for a 4-yard touchdown. The Tar Heels failed to convert on the two-point attempt. UNC still trails NC State 42-19.
FINAL: NC State beats North Carolina 42-19.
Want more NC State football content during the 2025 season? Follow on X (Twitter) @WolfpackOnSI and @SennettTucker and never miss another breaking news story again. Want to reach out with questions about the Wolfpack? Send an email to wolfpackonsi@gmail.com to potentially be featured on mailbag stories in the future.
Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.
Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.
Follow SennettTucker