Virginia Tech football report card from gutsy win over North Carolina State

Don't look now, but the Virginia Tech football team has won its last two games. After beginning the season 0-3 and firing Brent Pry, the Hokies have picked up two straight wins. They routed Wofford last week, before going on the road Saturday night and stunning North Carolina State, 23-21, to open ACC play.

This is a loss that isn't sitting well with NC State fans, and nor should it. The Wolfpack are talented, but head coach Dave Doeren was outcoached by Virginia Tech's staff, and all of a sudden are 3-2 on the season. Here is the latest Virginia Tech report card with Wake Forest coming to Blacksburg next week to face to 2-3 Hokies.

Virginia Tech football report card from NC State upset

Offense: A-

Virginia Tech's offense was rolling at times, and they were successful at running the football. Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart appears to be fully healthy, and he rushed for 174 yards on 15 carries, including a game-changing 85-yard run at the end of the third quarter. That run set up a short touchdown pass from Kyron Drones to Cameron Seldon.

Virginia Tech racked up 406 yards of total offense, and Marcellous Hawkins had four carries for 47 yards along with an 11-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Drones completed 20 passes to eight different receivers. It was an offense that was playing with confidence and made some big plays throughout the game to keep drives alive.

Defense: A+

Sam Siefkes had a plan, and his players executed it against a talented offensive unit. They held NC State to 299 yards of offense, with the biggest play being turned in by Christian Ellis with a pass breakup on fourth down with 42 seconds left to seal the two-point win.

Wolfpack quarterback C.J. Bailey threw for 299 yards, but the Hokies only allowed 59 yards rushing. Virginia Tech had five sacks, Kaleb Spencer had a team-high 11 tackles, and the unit recorded eight tackles for a loss. It was a tremendous effort from a unit that was shorthanded and will be for the rest of the season.

Special Teams: A

There were some punts that Isaiah Spencer should have fielded, especially one in the third quarter that was downed by NC State at the Hokies' 11-yard line. He was bailed out by Stewart's 85-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.

The game was decided by the foot of John Love, and as usual, the veteran kicker who has a bright future in the NFL, drilled kicks from 39, 3,2 and 49 yards, with the latter being the game-winner in the fourth quarter. Virginia Tech should be confident with the game on the line and Love lining up for a kick.

Coaching: A

Hey, the Hokies won a one-score game! That was something only said once in the Brent Pry era, and that happened in 2022. One thing that was noticeable from the beginning was that the Hokies were prepared and ready to play. They played hard and fought for all 60 minutes. Montgomery had his team ready to go.

Siefkes was great at calling plays on defense, and Montgomery mixed things up on offense. Late in the fourth quarter, and the Hokies needing less than a yard to seal the game, Montgomery chose to punt, and his defense was able to get a stop. Who would have blamed Montgomery for going for it in minus territory at that point?

Overall: A+

Considering everything that has happened in the last 14 days, for Virginia Tech to travel to Raleigh shorthanded and come away with a win in the manner they did speaks to the coaches and players. Who saw them winning? Not many people outside the locker room.

It's just one game, but it's a one-score win, an ACC win, a road win, and a win that has them 1-0 in the ACC. They get to enjoy this one before getting back to work and hosting the Demon Deacons next Saturday afternoon. A gutsy road win for the players and coaches.