News Summary
In a tense ACC showdown at Carter-Finley Stadium, Virginia Tech narrowly defeated N.C. State with a final score of 23-21, marking their first conference win of the season. The Wolfpack took an early lead but fell short in the final moments, unable to convert on a crucial fourth-and-1 play. Virginia Tech’s strong defensive performance, combined with key plays in the final quarter, helped secure the victory as they improve to 2-3 for the season. Both teams showed strong efforts, but Virginia Tech’s rushing attack made the difference.
Raleigh, North Carolina — Virginia Tech narrowly defeated N.C. State 23-21 in a tense ACC football game on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Key Facts
- In Week 5, N.C. State lost 23-21 to Virginia Tech, marking their second straight loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Wolfpack’s overall record dropped to 3-2, with a 1-2 record in conference play.
- Virginia Tech secured their first ACC win under interim head coach Philip Montgomery, improving to a 2-3 record for the season.
- The game was held at N.C. State’s home stadium, where excited fans heard a “Let’s go Hokies” chant as Virginia Tech celebrated their victory.
- The Wolfpack led the game late but was unable to convert on a critical fourth-and-1 play in the final minute, giving Virginia Tech a chance to secure the win.
Game Summary and Key Plays
N.C. State started the game strong, with quarterback CJ Bailey completing his first nine passes. Bailey threw a 4-yard touchdown to Dante Daniels, giving the Wolfpack a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter. The first half saw both teams exchange scores, with N.C. State trailing 13-7 at halftime.
During the first half, N.C. State’s offense managed 121 total yards. They had three punts and one turnover on downs before halftime. Virginia Tech’s defense was dominant early, recording four sacks in the first two quarters alone, significantly impacting the Wolfpack’s offensive rhythm.
Virginia Tech’s offensive attack increased in intensity in the second half. They scored the last 10 points of the first half, with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Kyron Drones to Marcellous Hawkins putting the Hokies ahead at halftime.
Second Half Swing
In the third quarter, Virginia Tech extended their lead with Terion Stewart’s 85-yard run, which set up a touchdown. However, N.C. State responded quickly in the second half with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Bailey to Keenan Jackson, making the score 14-13 in favor of the Wolfpack.
As the game entered the final quarter, Virginia Tech regained the lead with a 49-yard field goal from kicker John Love, taking advantage of a delay-of-game penalty to set up the attempt. Virginia Tech held a 20-14 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
With under 11 minutes remaining, Duke Scott scored on a 1-yard run to tie the game at 20-20. Both teams traded possessions, leading to intense final minutes. Virginia Tech kicker John Love hit a crucial 49-yard field goal, putting the Hokies ahead 23-20 with just over two minutes remaining.
In the last moments, N.C. State drove into Virginia Tech territory but failed on a crucial fourth-and-1 play, ending their hopes of a comeback. The Hokies managed to run out the clock, sealing the victory.
Defensive Highlights and Series Record
Virginia Tech’s defense was particularly effective, recording five sacks during the game and controlling the game’s tempo. The Hokies’ rushing attack gained a total of 229 yards, helping them maintain possession and control the game.
The all-time series record now stands at 20 wins, 29 losses, and 4 ties in favor of Virginia Tech. This contest marked the Hokies’ first ACC win overall this season.
Next Games and Context
Looking ahead, N.C. State is scheduled to face Campbell on October 4th as they aim to bounce back from consecutive losses. Virginia Tech, after this victory, continues their season with upcoming conference games to improve their standings in the ACC.
Summary
The game was a closely contested battle at Carter-Finley Stadium, with Virginia Tech securing a narrow victory. Both teams demonstrated strong offensive and defensive efforts, but Virginia Tech’s rushing defense and special teams play were decisive in the end.
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Additional Resources
- Fayetteville Observer
- News Observer
- 247Sports
- Wikipedia: College Football
- Google Search: Virginia Tech football
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
