No. 18 NC State trips up in Pop-Tarts Bowl, falls short of 10-win milestone

All three times, they’ve come away empty-handed.

The Wolfpack fought hard, but fell short to Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Thursday night, 28-19.

The Wildcats were without starting quarterback Will Howard, who entered the transfer portal earlier this month.

They didn’t need him.

True freshman Avery Johnson was sensational in his first collegiate start, accounting for 249 total yards and 3 total touchdowns to earn Player of the Game honors.

On the other side, Brennan Armstrong played his heart out in his final collegiate start. The 6th year graduate transfer ran for a season-high 121 yards and a touchdown. He also threw for 164 yards in a tough loss to end the season.

"I look back like 'what could I have done different?'" said Armstrong. "We didn't get the job done but I feel like I did what I needed to do to be prepared. We just didn't get it done."

Outside of the two quarterbacks, special teams was the story of the night in Orlando.

Kansas State called a fake punt that went for 30 yards in the middle of the second quarter. They paid it off with a DJ Giddens touchdown just two plays later to take a 14-0 lead.

NC State fought their way back into the ball game with 10 points before the half. Then, they grabbed momentum completely with their own fake punt call in the third quarter. Trent Pennix took this one for 60 yards and a touchdown, as the Wolfpack drew within two points, 21-19.

"It was a heck of a ball game," said head coach Dave Doeren. "I thought when we faked that punt and scored, gained all the momentum... that we're going to win this game. That didn't happen."

For a moment, it looked like Kansas State would be able to clinch the game with a third key special teams play.

Senior wide receiver Seth Porter returned a punt 62 yards to the end zone in the fourth quarter, but it was called back due to a block in the back penalty.

The Wildcats were undaunted by the setback though, as they immediately responded with a 15 play, 72-yard touchdown drive.

Johnson’s 11-yard touchdown pass to fellow freshman Jayce Brown came with 2:48 left in the game, and really did seal a Kansas State victory.

As part of the Pop-Tarts Bowl celebration, Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman (along with Johnson) got to feast on the newly-unveiled, edible Pop-Tarts mascot.

Meanwhile, Doeren’s bunch will be left to rue another missed chance at a 10-win season, something that’s only been done once in program history (11 wins in 2002).

In 2018 and 2021, the Wolfpack also finished the regular season at 9-3, but couldn’t quite make it to 10.

The 2018 team was blown out by Texas A&M, 52-13 in the Gator Bowl.

The 2021 team never even had a chance as their Holiday Bowl game against UCLA was canceled at the last minute due to a Covid-19 outbreak on the Bruins roster.

"This is a hungry team," said Doeren. "You know, a disappointed bunch of guys in that locker room right now. I think they'll be heavily motivated to finish."