Coming off a 45-33 loss at Duke last week, the North Carolina State football team was hoping to rebound at home against Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Wolfpack came into the game as nearly a double-digit favorite against a program trying to just stay afloat in 2025.
After firing Brent Pry two weeks ago, the Hokies beat Wofford last weekend at home, but had the tough job of traveling to Raleigh to open ACC play against NC State, which entered the game 3-1. With a talented team with several weapons, it was going to be tough for Tech to slow them down.
Slow them down, they did as Sam Siefkes had a tremendous game plan and his defense executed it with Christian Ellis breaking up a fourth down pass play with 42 seconds left to seal a 23-21 Hokies' win. It was their first one-score win since 2022. NC State fans are not happy.
NC State fans calling for Dave Doeren's job after loss to Virginia Tech
Look, you have to give credit where credit is due to Montgomery and Virginia Tech. They went on the road into a tough environment and came away with a two-point win. It didn't sit well with Wolfpack fans, who have had enough of Dave Doeren.
Dave Doeren with his job on the line pic.twitter.com/W0LBleEWis
— Caleb Wilson Enthusiast (@uncglazer) September 28, 2025
We have to fire Dave Doeren
— FIRE DOEREN NOW (@coldslaws) September 27, 2025
This mother fucker has no idea what is going on
I swear to god I can hire 7 high school coaches better than this idiot
Time to move on from Doeren. I think he’s a good person and he’s done some good things for the program. But it’s time (honestly past due) for a change.
— Tyler Drew (@TDrew31) September 28, 2025
Dave Doeren is gonna make a hell of an assistant coach
— Lupus (@LupusBeowulf) September 28, 2025
NC State falls to a Virginia Tech team that was previously 1-3, fired its head coach two weeks ago and was previously outscored 113-57 by Division I football teams.
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) September 28, 2025
The worst loss in Dave Doeren's tenure?
Time to move on from Doeren. I think he’s a good person and he’s done some good things for the program. But it’s time (honestly past due) for a change.
— Tyler Drew (@TDrew31) September 28, 2025
Definitely not watching anymore nc state football this season. I’m out until Dave Doeren is no longer the coach. #goPack pic.twitter.com/1pWmiVf7Eu
— John Tart (@thelegendaryJT3) September 28, 2025
Dave Doeren’s 13 years at NC State:
— BENNETT🦕🦖 (@BennettMarlow) September 28, 2025
• 3-6 in bowl games (2021 excluded)
• No official bowl wins since 2017
• Zero ACC championship appearances
• 48-53 conference record
• 8-29 vs ranked opponents
Whole lot of nothing to celebrate except for continued mediocrity
This, without a doubt, is a bad loss for NC State. There's no other way to put it. However, Virginia Tech needed that, as did their fans. Hokies fans know what Wolfpack fans are going through after being frustrated with Pry before he was eventually let go.
It remains to be seen what NC State does with Doeren, but a non-conference home game against Campbell next week offers a feel-good victory. Regardless, a loss to a Virginia Tech team with a ton of turmoil right now is not what Doeren needed.