Football Concludes Season with Loss at NC State

Saturday, November 29

Raleigh, N.C. (Carter-Finley Stadium)

7:30 P.M.

North Carolina

4-8 , 2-6

NC State

7-5 , 4-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

North Carolina

NC State

Photo by: Andy Mead

November 30, 2025 | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Justin Wilson

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina football saw its 2025 season come to a close Saturday night, as the Tar Heels fell to NC State, 42-19, at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack jumped out to a 14-0 lead and the Tar Heels were unable to overcome the deficit.

NC State (7-5, 4-4 ACC) scored on six of its nine offensive drives, as Carolina (4-8, 2-6) was unable to find an answer. The Wolfpack tallied 386 total yards, including 201 passing and 185 rushing, while the Tar Heels compiled 265 total yards with 195 through the air and 70 on the ground.

Carolina found the endzone twice on the day, as wide receiver Jordan Shipp reeled in his sixth touchdown pass of the season en route to recording a career-best 90 receiving yards. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native also matched his personal best with eight receptions.

Tight end Jordan Owens caught his first touchdown pass of the season from freshman quarterback Au'Tori Newkirk late in the fourth quarter, as the play marked Newkirk's first collegiate touchdown pass.

Three quarterbacks saw action in the contest, as Gio Lopez started the game and was 11-for-16 with 118 yards and a touchdown before suffering an injury and being replaced by Max Johnson. Hailing from Athens, Georgia, Johnson was 8-for-15 with 54 yards before giving way to Newkirk, who finished the game 3-for-5 with 23 yards passing and a score.

Senior Marcus Allen led the defense with seven tackles, including four solo stops a pass breakup and combined on a tackle for loss. Melkart Abou Jaoude pitched in with six stops.

After NC State raced out to a 14-0 advantage, UNC put together its best drive of the day, marching 80 yards for a touchdown on nine plays. Lopez had a nice series, finding tight end Shamar Easter for a 15-yard pass before a 10-yard scramble and later hit Shipp for a 20-yard TD pass.

The Wolfpack countered with an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped off by quarterback Will Wilson's second of four rushing touchdowns on the day to make it 21-7. Wilson served as the Pack's short yardage back, often subbing into the game on a third or fourth and short.

Rece Verhoff hit a 29-yard field goal to cut the margin to 21-10, but a touchdown from NC State ensued as the Wolfpack found the endzone on all four possessions in the first half and amassed 271 yards.

The Tar Heels couldn't get much closer in the second half and the Wolfpack won their fifth straight game in the rivalry.