North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren doesn’t want to read too much into the fact that this week’s opponent, Virginia Tech, finally won a game.
Virginia Tech visit the Wolfpack for Saturday night’s game at Raleigh, N.C.
The Hokies will be in their second game under interim coach Philip Montgomery, who’s filling in after the firing of Brent Pry.
“It’s hard to say on the scouting side of things because they’ve had one game and it wasn’t much of a game against Wofford,” Doeren said.
While Virginia Tech (1-3, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) is coming off its only victory of the season, NC State (3-1, 1-1) aims to bounce back from its first loss.
Last week’s 45-33 setback at Duke was disturbing for the Wolfpack.
“They’re so mad because they know that they threw it away with mistakes and there’s going to be a lot of learning in that,” Doeren said. “There’s going to be a lot of growth in that. So I’m excited to see those guys come back and be a much better version of themselves.”
Virginia Tech continues to adjust to new leadership.
“For us it’s all about putting our focus on ourselves, continuing to grow, continuing to get better,” Montgomery said. “Having a week under our belt, all of us adjusting, there are still a lot of variables at play.”
Virginia Tech didn’t release a depth chart early in the week, though one will come later, Montgomery said.
“We’re working through things,” he said. “We’re working through the process.”
Expect quarterback Kyron Drones to be at the helm after throwing for two touchdowns and running for two in the 38-6 victory against Wofford. Early losses this season didn’t cause him to get off course.
“Kyron didn’t lose his confidence at all,” Montgomery said.
NC State running back Hollywood Smothers has run for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games. He’s the program’s first player to do that since 2017. Smothers had also made 15 receptions.
The Wolfpack would like a repeat type of performance from receiver Terrell Anderson, who accounted for six receptions, 166 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday.
“He has made plays and it has been fun to watch,” Doeren said. “That (receiver) room in general has had different players in each game make big plays for us and so to have the depth and rotation and ability.”
The Hokies don’t want to see those big-yardage moments from the Wolfpack.
“We’ve got to eliminate some of their explosive plays,” Montgomery said.
Doeren said linebacker Cian Slone, who left the Duke game with an injury, is expected to be available against Virginia Tech.
Since joining the ACC in 2004, Virginia Tech has won five of the eight meetings with NC State. The Wolfpack rallied from a 21-3 third-quarter deficit to win 22-21 in 2022 in Virginia Tech’s last trip to Raleigh.
