News Summary
Virginia Tech secured a dramatic 23-21 victory over N.C. State in a closely contested ACC game held in Raleigh. With key performances from quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Terion Stewart, the Hokies marked their second consecutive win following a coaching change. N.C. State struggled offensively, leading to their second straight loss, raising concerns about their season performance. Both teams are now looking ahead to their next matchups as they strive to improve in the ACC.
Raleigh, North Carolina — Virginia Tech Upsets N.C. State 23-21 in ACC Matchup
In a closely contested game held in Raleigh, North Carolina, Virginia Tech secured a 23-21 victory over North Carolina State, marking a significant win for the Hokies following a recent coaching change. This win signifies Virginia Tech’s second consecutive victory since the change in coaching staff, bringing their season record to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Game Highlights and Key Performances
The Hokies’ offense was led by quarterback Kyron Drones, who threw two touchdown passes during the game. Virginia Tech’s rushing game also contributed significantly with Terion Stewart rushing for 174 yards on just 15 carries, including a notable 85-yard run that energized the team. Kicker John Love added three field goals, with a crucial 49-yard attempt with 6:31 remaining in the game serving as the game-winning score.
Defensively, Virginia Tech displayed a strong performance, registering five sacks throughout the game. Their defense was effective in limiting N.C. State to just 299 total yards and only 59 rushing yards. The Hokies’ front seven applied persistent pressure on N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey, who finished the game with 26 completions on 34 attempts for 240 yards but struggled to find rhythm against the disciplined Virginia Tech defense.
N.C. State’s Efforts and Turning Points
N.C. State, now holding a 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the ACC, experienced their second consecutive loss. The Wolfpack initially took an early lead with a 7-3 score, but Virginia Tech responded with 10 unanswered points to close out the first half, reversing the deficit and taking a 13-7 lead into halftime. The Wolfpack regained the lead late in the game with a 1-yard touchdown run from Jayden Scott in the fourth quarter, making the score 21-20. However, the Hokies responded with a scoring drive that culminated in a 49-yard field goal, which proved to be the decisive moment.
Offensively, N.C. State faced challenges in establishing a consistent rhythm, resulting in a season-low in total offensive yards. The team’s offense struggled to sustain drives, partly due to Virginia Tech’s aggressive pass rush and disciplined defensive front.
Context and Implications
This game marked a turning point for Virginia Tech following the recent firing of head coach Brent Pry, with Philip Montgomery serving as interim head coach. Since the coaching change, the Hokies are 2-0, indicating initial success under new leadership. Conversely, N.C. State’s back-to-back losses have raised concerns about their recent form, despite having had wins against East Carolina and Virginia earlier in the season.
Next Matchups
Looking ahead, Virginia Tech will host Wake Forest in their next game. N.C. State will face Campbell at home, with both teams aiming to improve their standings in the ACC and overall season performance.
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Additional Resources
- Fayetteville Observer
- Sports Illustrated
- ABC11
- Herald Sun
- Wikipedia: Virginia Tech Hokies Football
- Google Search: N.C. State Wolfpack Football
- 247 Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Carolina State University
- Google News: Virginia Tech Football
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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.
