Two teams will look to get their first conference wins of the season when the NC State Wolfpack travels to Blacksburg, Virginia this Friday to challenge the Virginia Tech Hokies.
The Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1 ACC) is looking for its first conference win after a disappointing 20-13 loss to the Louisville Cardinals (2-3, 1-0 ACC). The Pack will look to move past Saturday’s stumble in a game head coach Dave Doeren is looking forward to.
“I’m honored to coach a game against coach [Frank] Beamer,” Doeren said. “I think he’s one of the classiest people that I’ve met in this business and someone I really respect and look up to.”
The story of this past weekend’s game was the inconsistency of the Wolfpack offense and the defense’s inability to stop the running ability of true freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson. The game also proved to be one of junior running back Matt Dayes’ most underwhelming performances. After rushing for more than 100 yards in his first four games, the Weston, Florida native only managed to rack up 68 yards on the ground.
State also turned the ball over on two fumbles, one of which was by junior wide receiver Jumichael Ramos on his way to the end zone, which set-up a 68-yard touchdown run by Jackson for the first score of the game. Doeren remained adamant there was more than just one play that factored in the loss.
“Whenever you lose a one score game, there’s a lot of plays that could have altered the game,” Doeren said. “When Ramos turned it over inside the fumble, as well as the other fumble later, it was almost a 17-point swing”
Meanwhile, the Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC) lost 17-13 to the Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1, 1-0 ACC). Quarterback Brenden Motley never got anything going during the game, as he had three interceptions and completed less than 50 percent of attempted passes. Beamer recognized the game against the Wolfpack is a must-win during his press conference Monday.
“They probably have more weapons offensively than we’ve seen all year, next to Ohio State,” Beamer said about State at his weekly press conference. “It’s another critical game. We have to make great preparations, and I think we will and go play our very best.”
Part of the problem for the Hokies has been the loss of their starting quarterback, redshirt senior Michael Brewer, to a broken collarbone suffered in the second half against Ohio State the opening weekend of the season. The Hokies have been using Motley as his backup to keep the team afloat in the crowded coastal division.
Since then, the Hokies have been a .500 team, winning two straight games followed by losing two. The Hokies will have to prove they can consistently compete against FBS schools, as they are 1-3 against such teams.
The player to keep an eye on leading up to a game for the Hokies is Brewer, who has been cleared to practice just one month after breaking his collarbone, according to an ESPN report. Beamer remained unclear on whether Brewer would be active in time for Friday’s game.
“I think the first thing we need to know is if he’s going to be available,” Beamer said. “Once we know that, we’ll figure out the rest.”
One other factor for the game will be redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett and his continued efficient play from the position. Despite having -26 yards rushing Saturday against the Cardinals, Brissett managed to avoid making the big mistakes and did not turn the ball over. Brissett has yet to throw an interception this season, a streak that has been active since playing Wake Forest last season.
