NC State pulled off a wild comeback win over North Carolina, 30-27, in a rivalry game that had everything—big plays, late drama, and a flag-planting skirmish. UNC took a late lead with a strong touchdown drive, but NC State answered with a composed two-minute drill. The Wolfpack quarterback picked up key yards on the ground and then nailed a deep throw on a critical first-and-20 to move them into scoring range. After a few more plays, they punched it in to retake the lead.
UNC had one last shot with a drawn-up hook-and-ladder play that actually looked well-designed, but it fell apart when the blocking broke down. NC State’s defense smothered it, sealing the win. Then things got messy. An NC State player planted a team flag on the Tar Heels’ field, sparking a scramble. A UNC player grabbed the flag and tossed it, which led to more pushing, shoving, and jawing between teams. Players were on the ground, coaches stepped in, and things teetered on chaos for a bit. Eventually, NC State recovered the flag and waved it triumphantly while UNC players tried to keep their cool.
Even the mascot got caught up in the chaos, nearly getting clipped during the celebration. In the end, NC State walked off with the flag and the win, while UNC was left dealing with both the loss and the frustration of a rivalry game that ended with more than just a final score.