The Wolfpack took a stinging loss yesterday at Carter-Finley Stadium – finding it hard to defy the pressures of Virginia Tech’s defense – as the Hokies escaped Raleigh with a 23-21 win over NC State.
In the first half of the contest the Wolfpack’s offense played a steady game – scoring a touchdown with 2:38 seconds left in the first quarter. Virginia Tech’s defense stopped the Wolfpack in their tracks, leaving them scoreless in the entire second quarter.
The Wolfpack and Hokies traded scores in the second half with a 13-yard touchdown pass from NC State’s CJ Bailey to Keenan Jackson in the third quarter, followed by a four yard touchdown pass from Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones to Cameron Seldon. A one-yard rushing touchdown by Jayden Scott put the Wolfpack up by one (21-20) with 10:58 remaining in the fourth, before Hokies’ place kicker, John Love, put Virginia Tech up for good with a 49-yard field goal with 6:31 remaining in the 4th.
Defensively the Wolfpack got pressure on Virginia Tech’s quarterback – forcing 14 incomplete passes – but only sacked him once.
Offensively the Wolfpack couldn’t get into a consistent rhythm – leaving CJ Bailey open to get sacked five times by Virginia Tech’s pressuring defense.
In last night’s somber post-game conference, both Cian Sloane and Caden Fordham acknowledged the lack of execution on defense. Justin Joly spoke about getting back on track and getting into the details of their adjustments for Campbell next week.
Dave Dooreen, recognizing the struggles on offense said, “We’ve got to perform at a level that allows us to be in a position to win every game.”
The Wolfpack knows they have to get back in shape to continue the season and will take the field again next week, October 4th, against Campbell at 2 pm at Carter-Finley.