Virginia Tech Football: Brent Pry makes case for Dorian Strong

One thing that the Virginia Tech football team was looking to improve on this season was their defense. Most specifically, creating more turnovers to help the offense, flip the field, and simply get off the field.

This past weekend in a 48–22 win at Boston College, the Hokies’ defense came up huge in the first quarter, mainly Dorian Strong. The junior picked off BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos on the game’s first play, which led to a John Love field goal. After allowing a touchdown drive on the Eagles’ next possession, the host’s defense forced a punt for Virginia Tech. Instead of letting Boston College drive downfield again, Strong stepped up and made another play.

Castellanos threw a deep ball down the Hokies sideline and Strong was step for step with the Eagles wide receiver and turned around and intercepted the ball for the second time in the quarter. The Hokies offense turned that pick into a Bhayshul Tuten touchdown run to give the visitors the lead for good on their way to scoring 35 unanswered points.

Hokies coach Brent Pry makes the case for Dorian Stong to earn ACC honors

Looking ahead to this weekend’s big game at Lane Stadium against North Carolina State, Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry touched on several topics during his weekly media session. One of the topics was Strong and whether or not he deserves All-ACC consideration for 2023.

“You’re going to have to show me a corner who has played more consistent week in and week out in his coverage.’’

Pry isn’t wrong. The two interceptions against Boston College were his second and third of the season, but you can make the case that they were momentum plays for a team that has struggled all season long away from Blacksburg, going 0-4 until a trip to Boston. His first interception was in Week 1 against Old Dominion as part of a second half where the Hokies forced multiple turnovers to pull away from the Monarchs.

Dorian Strong has 16 tackles to date, 11 solo, and his three picks, but each week he has been huge for Virginia Tech and Marve. Each of his three interceptions has played a part in the Hokies pulling away from their opponent to win the games. He has been the MVP of the secondary this season for Pry.