Season review part 2: Special teams are special

Chris Dunn was the best kicker in college football this year. Lou Groza confirmed it. Dunn made 28 of 29 field goals and was a near-perfect 10 for 11 from beyond 40 yards. He made at least three field goal in four separate games this season. Special teams are critically important. NC State had good special teams all year and a lot of teams it beat had holes in their special team units.

NC State's special teams score 19 points. Chris Dunn hits four field goals. Eastern Carolina's kicker misses an extra point and a game-winning field goal. FSU's punter Alex Mastromanno punts the ball past the line of scrimmage. Wake's kicker Matthew Dennis goes 0/1.

ECU kicker Owen Daffer misses an extra point and a game-winning field goal. NC State wins by one.

Chris Dunn hits four field goals for 19 points. FSU is in position to kick a field goal in the final minute, but the team takes a shot to the endzone instead.

Season review part 2: Special teams are special. Chris Dunn goes 3/3 on field goals, Matthew Dennis goes 0/1. Wake is down by 9 on their final drive instead of 6 or 3.

NC State's special teams have improved dramatically in the last three years. The team scored a special team touchdown in four straight games. Doeren's team won at least one game because of special skills. The specialists' numbers are impressive. They include Trenton Gill, Thayer Thomas, Chris Dunn, and Lou Groza award. State scored 5 touchdowns on special Teams over the past 2 years while allowing 2. It was one of the best defenses in college football. NC State won 8 games last season. Its defense was also very good. There are few teams that can make a good case for inferior special units since the big inflection post-2019.

NC State wins the game. Chris Dunn makes 3 of 4 field goals and hits two in overtime. Noah Burnette misses a chip shot and the equalizer in the second overtime and UNC wins.

NC State scored a special teams touchdown in four straight games. The team scored 5 touchdowns on special team over the last 2 years. Thayer Thomas had one turnover in his career as a punt returner. Chris Dunn has never missed an extra point in a career.

The special teams unit has been a success for North Carolina State. Coach Doeren has shown he can change and grow.