New Defensive Struggles Heighten Stakes Heading into Commonwealth Cup
New Defensive Struggles Heighten Stakes Heading into Commonwealth Cup
Virginia Tech's defensive struggles against NC State came as a surprise, leading to a one-game showdown vs. Virginia that will define the Hokies' season.
Given Virginia Tech’s trend of stopping bad offenses and struggling against good ones, I thought I had Saturday’s game against NC State correctly pegged as a low-scoring rockfight.
Think again.
The Wolfpack exposed new vulnerabilities in the Hokies’ defense on Saturday enroute to a 35-28 win inside Lane Stadium, setting up an all-important Game 12 next weekend in Hooville.
Virginia Tech struggled defending the traditional run game for much of the season, a problem that reared its ugly head in multiple losses. But that’s not how NC State beat the Hokies on Saturday. Instead, offensive coordinator Robert Anae used lots of pre-snap motion, a couple trick plays and a heavy dose of scrambling from Brennan Armstrong. What were the results of Anae’s efforts?
35 points scored
408 total yards
7-15 on third down conversions
Five consecutive touchdown drives
40 minutes, 37 seconds of possession
It was NC State’s best offensive output against a Power 5 opponent this season. Before Saturday, the Wolfpack had scored 26 points or less against each of their Power 5 opponents.
Armstrong, once the rival from Charlottesville, returned to Lane Stadium and gave a masterful performance — 292 total yards and four touchdowns. His improvisation served as the catalyst for the Wolfpack’s offense. Kevin Concepcion, NC State’s only reliable offensive weapon, finished with 128 total yards and two total touchdowns, including a 17-yard touchdown pass.
The defense isn’t alone in shouldering the blame. Virginia Tech’s offense didn’t score until their fifth possession and ran just 46 plays over 19 minutes and 23 seconds. The Hokies grinded their way to 21 second half points, but it was too little, too late.
Coming out flat and being out of the game by the third quarter doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Virginia Tech needs all the confidence that it can get heading into next weekend against Virginia. The ‘Hoos might be 3-8, but many of those losses were close and Virginia just knocked off Duke at home.
Saturday’s game against Virginia will define this season as a success or a failure. Reaching the six-win threshold carries a lot of weight, and not losing to Virginia is arguably just as important.
Victory this weekend satisfies both of those objectives. A loss does not.
Prepare for Saturday at Scott Stadium to be a dogfight from start to finish. Rivalry games often are and with a team as mysterious and enigmatic as Virginia Tech, who knows what to expect.
Just when you think you have this group figured out — think again.