It was cold. That biting, late-November Raleigh wind was whipping through Carter-Finley Stadium, but if you were wearing red, you barely felt it. If you were wearing blue, well, it was a long night. On November 29, 2025, the scoreboard told a story that’s becoming a bit of a broken record lately: NC State 42, North Carolina 19.
Honestly, the nc state carolina score wasn't just about a single game. It felt like a shift in the tectonic plates of North Carolina sports. For the fifth year in a row, the Wolfpack walked off the field with the hardware, and they didn't just win—they "pistol whipped" them, as the local podcasters like to say. This wasn't some fluke ending or a lucky bounce. It was a 23-point statement that left the Tar Heels, and their high-profile coach Bill Belichick, looking for answers in the dirt.
What Really Happened with the 42-19 Blowout
People expected a chess match. You've got Belichick on one side, arguably the greatest football mind ever, trying to salvage a rough 4-8 season. On the other side, Dave Doeren has built a culture that basically thrives on being the "little brother" who finally grew up and started winning the backyard fights.
The game started with a spark for UNC, but it fizzled out faster than a cheap firework. State’s quarterback duo was the difference-maker. C.J. Bailey was surgical, throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns, but the real nightmare for the Heels was Will Wilson. The guy came in for short-yardage packages and ended up breaking the single-game rushing touchdown record for an NC State quarterback. Four times. He kept finding the end zone like he had a GPS set to the goal line.
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The Turning Point in the Third
By the time the third quarter rolled around, the vibe in the stadium was electric for the Pack. UNC was trailing 28-10 when their quarterback, Gio Lopez, went down with a nasty leg injury on a sack. It was one of those moments where the whole stadium goes quiet for a second. When Max Johnson took over, the hill was just too steep to climb.
State’s defense, led by a group of seniors who have literally never lost to Carolina, played like their hair was on fire. They forced turnovers, stuffed the run, and made life miserable for a UNC offense that looked out of sync. By the time Au’Tori Newkirk threw a "garbage time" touchdown for the Heels in the final minutes, most of the blue-clad fans had already hit the parking lot.
The Basketball Battle: A Different Flavor of Rivalry
While football has been all Wolfpack lately, the hardwood is where things get really spicy. If you’re looking for the nc state carolina score from the 2024-2025 basketball season, it’s a much more balanced—and heart-stopping—affair.
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On January 11, 2025, the rivalry hit the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. It was a classic. The Tar Heels managed to escape with a 63-61 victory, but only because Jalen Washington turned into a human eraser in the final minute. He had a massive two-handed slam and a block with 41 seconds left that basically sucked the air out of the building.
Recent Basketball Results
- Feb 19, 2025: UNC 97 - NC State 73 (Chapel Hill)
- Jan 11, 2025: UNC 63 - NC State 61 (Raleigh)
- Mar 16, 2024 (ACC Tourney): NC State 84 - UNC 76
- Mar 02, 2024: UNC 79 - NC State 70
The February game in Chapel Hill was a different beast. North Carolina just poured it on, winning 97-73. It felt like revenge for the Wolfpack’s historic run in the 2024 ACC Tournament, where State beat Carolina 84-76 in the finals to cap off five wins in five days. That's the thing about this rivalry—just when you think one team has the upper hand, the other reminds you why this is called the "Tobacco Road" feud.
Why the Gap is Closing (and Opening)
There’s a lot of talk about "momentum." In football, NC State has won 17 of the last 26 meetings since 2000. That’s not a streak; that’s a trend. Dave Doeren has figured out how to recruit kids who take this game personally. They play with a chip on their shoulder that UNC struggles to match when things get gritty.
On the flip side, Hubert Davis has kept the Tar Heels' basketball program as a national powerhouse, but even he’s 3-2 in his last five against State. The Wolfpack’s 2024 ACC title run proved they aren't just a "spoiler" anymore; they're a legitimate threat.
The "Transfer Portal" Factor
Don't ignore the off-field drama. Just this week, news broke about a high school recruit flipping from UNC to State, and a couple of key transfers moving between the schools. This rivalry doesn't sleep in the offseason. It just moves to the recruiting trail. When you see a nc state carolina score that looks lopsided, like the 42-19 football game, it's often the result of these talent wars happening months in advance.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Score
A lot of national media folks look at the final score and assume it's just another ACC game. It’s not. For people in the Triangle, this is life. When NC State wins five straight in football, it changes the conversation at every Thanksgiving table in the state.
The 2025 football game was especially painful for UNC because of the "Belichick Factor." There was so much hype around his arrival in Chapel Hill. Seeing the team finish 4-8 with a blowout loss to their biggest rival... well, it’s safe to say the honeymoon phase ended in a hurry.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this rivalry closely, there are a few things you should be watching as we head into the next season:
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- Watch the Trenches: In the last four football meetings, the team that won the rushing yardage battle won the game. NC State's offensive line has been more consistent lately.
- The Home Court Advantage: While UNC won in Raleigh this year, basketball games at the Lenovo Center are notoriously tight. Don't bet against the home team unless the spread is massive.
- Injury Reports: As we saw with Gio Lopez, quarterback health is the ultimate "X-factor" in the football rivalry.
- Recruiting Rankings: Keep an eye on 247Sports or Rivals. The "flips" happening right now will determine the nc state carolina score in 2027 and 2028.
Basically, the rivalry is as healthy (or heated) as it’s ever been. Whether it's a 2-point heartbreaker on the court or a 23-point "pistol whipping" on the field, these two schools simply cannot stand to lose to each other. And honestly? That's what makes it the best rivalry in the country.
Next Steps for the Rivalry:
Check the upcoming spring schedules for baseball and soccer. While football and basketball grab the headlines, the Diamond Heels and the Wolfpack's soccer squad have some of the most intense matchups in the ACC. The next "score" to watch will likely be on the baseball diamond this March.