Friday, October 9
Blacksburg, Va.
8:00 PM
NC State
at
Virginia Tech
Friday Night Football: State Visits Virginia Tech
10/9/2015 7:00:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Thursday Football Notebook | Doeren Media Availability
Game 6: NC State Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1)
October 9, 2015 • 8 p.m.
Blacksburg, Va. • Lane Stadium (66,233)
TV: ESPN/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 84, XM 84
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Friday night lights will be shining brightly on NC State (4-1, 0-1) and Virginia Tech (2-3, 0-1) this week when the two teams clash in the ACC's exclusive ESPN time slot from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
"Obviously, all the programs who play on a national stage enjoy that stage," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "I know our players are excited about being the team that's on, and our university likes it as well. That part of it is really positive. Obviously, we'll tell our recruits that we're on and tell them to watch."
Beyond squeezing every ounce of all the marketing benefits that will be available into a 3 and 1/2 hour window on Friday night, Doeren wants to get his team back on the winning track following last Saturday's 20-13 home loss to Louisville. Virginia Tech also finds itself in desperation mode in the aftermath of back-to-back setbacks against East Carolina and Pittsburgh.
Both teams had a difficult time generating enough consistent production on the offensive side of the ball last weekend. The Hokies were held to just 100 yards of total offense, yielding seven sacks and 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. State experienced similar issues against Louisville's 3-4 defense, which penetrated into the Wolfpack backfield to make 13 negative stops.
For the first time in seven games dating back to last year, the Wolfpack's potent running game was shut down to the tune of just 45 yards on the ground.
"It was pretty disappointing not to be able to rush the ball like we did the first four games," said NC State offensive tackle Joe Thuney. "The offensive line takes that upon ourselves, and me personally I take that responsibility. That's behind us now and we're focused on going to Blacksburg for the game against Virginia Tech. Re-establishing our physicality on the offensive line is definitely a point of emphasis."
Many of NC State's problems occurred on first down last week. Other than two first down plays that accounted for 67 yards, the Pack averaged just 1.5 yards on the rest of its first down plays.
Staying on schedule offensively will be essential against coordinator Bud Foster's Virginia Tech defense, which, like Louisville, isn't reluctant to come with pressure in third and long situations.
The return of Alex Barr to left guard on Friday is good news for the NC State offensive line, which had been without the redshirt senior for three games. In Barr's absence, three different players -- Tyler Jones, Garrett Bradbury and Bryce Kennedy -- took snaps at left guard. Getting Barr back in the rotation adds both experience and depth to an offensive line in search of continuity.
"Alex Barr is back, so we have a better situation," Doeren said. "We can build depth there now with the ability to play Tyler Jones and Bradbury. It's better than it was a week ago."
During last week's 17-13 loss to Pittsburgh, the Virginia Tech offensive line also had problems, giving up seven sacks against a variety of zone blitz schemes. Redshirt junior Brenden Motley, who has gone 2-2 at quarterback since taking over for injured starter Michael Brewer, often looked like a sitting duck in the face of Pitt's relentless blitzes. One month after breaking his collarbone in Virginia Tech's opening day loss to No. 1 Ohio State, Brewer was cleared to return to practice this week. Tech officials say Brewer's availability for Friday night's contest will come down to a 'game-time decision.'
"We're planning on seeing both," said Doeren. "Obviously, Brewer threw the ball pretty well a year ago and started pretty well in his first game this year. We anticipate that if he's in there, their passing game will be a little bit more like it used to be. If he's not, we know what the other quarterback is going to do."
While Brewer is considered to be the better thrower of the two signal callers, Motley brings the element of athleticism with his running and scrambling skills. Motley rushed for 85 yards two weeks ago at ECU. Brewer was 11-of-16 for 156 yards against the Buckeyes before being injured.
"No matter what quarterback we play, we always want to put pressure on them," said Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb, who has 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in five games. "That's a big thing in the D-line room that we just want to attack the quarterback no matter who it is. That's the main thing we strive for in the pass game."
Said Doeren: "I think our defensive line needs to be disruptive. We had 14 tackles in the backfield last week and we need to continue with that."
Other than quarterback Lamar Jackson's 68-yard scamper in the first quarter a week ago, the Wolfpack defense continued to play well a week ago, allowing just three points after halftime. The Pack currently ranks third in the nation in total defense (225.8), sixth in rushing defense (80.2) and ninth in passing yards allowed (145.6).
This will be the first meeting between NC State and Virginia Tech since 2010, and the first time the two schools have faced off in Blacksburg since 2009. The Hokies own a 26-18-4 advantage in the series.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage from Lane Stadium at 6 p.m. In the second hour of the pregame show shortly after 7 p.m., former Wolfpack All-American Johnny Evans will answer questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Submit a question about Pack football to Johnny on Twitter/@packradio or click here.
The head coach of the Wolfpack will recap his team's game at Virginia Tech on the Dave Doeren TV Show, which airs Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on WRAL-TV 5. For a full schedule of stations carrying the show, click here.
Game 6: NC State Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1)
October 9, 2015 • 8 p.m.
Blacksburg, Va. • Lane Stadium (66,233)
TV: ESPN/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 84, XM 84
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Friday night lights will be shining brightly on NC State (4-1, 0-1) and Virginia Tech (2-3, 0-1) this week when the two teams clash in the ACC's exclusive ESPN time slot from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
"Obviously, all the programs who play on a national stage enjoy that stage," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "I know our players are excited about being the team that's on, and our university likes it as well. That part of it is really positive. Obviously, we'll tell our recruits that we're on and tell them to watch."
Beyond squeezing every ounce of all the marketing benefits that will be available into a 3 and 1/2 hour window on Friday night, Doeren wants to get his team back on the winning track following last Saturday's 20-13 home loss to Louisville. Virginia Tech also finds itself in desperation mode in the aftermath of back-to-back setbacks against East Carolina and Pittsburgh.
Both teams had a difficult time generating enough consistent production on the offensive side of the ball last weekend. The Hokies were held to just 100 yards of total offense, yielding seven sacks and 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. State experienced similar issues against Louisville's 3-4 defense, which penetrated into the Wolfpack backfield to make 13 negative stops.
For the first time in seven games dating back to last year, the Wolfpack's potent running game was shut down to the tune of just 45 yards on the ground.
"It was pretty disappointing not to be able to rush the ball like we did the first four games," said NC State offensive tackle Joe Thuney. "The offensive line takes that upon ourselves, and me personally I take that responsibility. That's behind us now and we're focused on going to Blacksburg for the game against Virginia Tech. Re-establishing our physicality on the offensive line is definitely a point of emphasis."
Many of NC State's problems occurred on first down last week. Other than two first down plays that accounted for 67 yards, the Pack averaged just 1.5 yards on the rest of its first down plays.
Staying on schedule offensively will be essential against coordinator Bud Foster's Virginia Tech defense, which, like Louisville, isn't reluctant to come with pressure in third and long situations.
The return of Alex Barr to left guard on Friday is good news for the NC State offensive line, which had been without the redshirt senior for three games. In Barr's absence, three different players -- Tyler Jones, Garrett Bradbury and Bryce Kennedy -- took snaps at left guard. Getting Barr back in the rotation adds both experience and depth to an offensive line in search of continuity.
"Alex Barr is back, so we have a better situation," Doeren said. "We can build depth there now with the ability to play Tyler Jones and Bradbury. It's better than it was a week ago."
During last week's 17-13 loss to Pittsburgh, the Virginia Tech offensive line also had problems, giving up seven sacks against a variety of zone blitz schemes. Redshirt junior Brenden Motley, who has gone 2-2 at quarterback since taking over for injured starter Michael Brewer, often looked like a sitting duck in the face of Pitt's relentless blitzes. One month after breaking his collarbone in Virginia Tech's opening day loss to No. 1 Ohio State, Brewer was cleared to return to practice this week. Tech officials say Brewer's availability for Friday night's contest will come down to a 'game-time decision.'
"We're planning on seeing both," said Doeren. "Obviously, Brewer threw the ball pretty well a year ago and started pretty well in his first game this year. We anticipate that if he's in there, their passing game will be a little bit more like it used to be. If he's not, we know what the other quarterback is going to do."
While Brewer is considered to be the better thrower of the two signal callers, Motley brings the element of athleticism with his running and scrambling skills. Motley rushed for 85 yards two weeks ago at ECU. Brewer was 11-of-16 for 156 yards against the Buckeyes before being injured.
"No matter what quarterback we play, we always want to put pressure on them," said Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb, who has 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in five games. "That's a big thing in the D-line room that we just want to attack the quarterback no matter who it is. That's the main thing we strive for in the pass game."
Said Doeren: "I think our defensive line needs to be disruptive. We had 14 tackles in the backfield last week and we need to continue with that."
Other than quarterback Lamar Jackson's 68-yard scamper in the first quarter a week ago, the Wolfpack defense continued to play well a week ago, allowing just three points after halftime. The Pack currently ranks third in the nation in total defense (225.8), sixth in rushing defense (80.2) and ninth in passing yards allowed (145.6).
This will be the first meeting between NC State and Virginia Tech since 2010, and the first time the two schools have faced off in Blacksburg since 2009. The Hokies own a 26-18-4 advantage in the series.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage from Lane Stadium at 6 p.m. In the second hour of the pregame show shortly after 7 p.m., former Wolfpack All-American Johnny Evans will answer questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Submit a question about Pack football to Johnny on Twitter/@packradio or click here.
The head coach of the Wolfpack will recap his team's game at Virginia Tech on the Dave Doeren TV Show, which airs Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on WRAL-TV 5. For a full schedule of stations carrying the show, click here.
Players Mentioned
OG
/ Football
DE
/ Football
OT
/ Football
OG
/ Football
OG
/ FootballFB Players Postgame Presser vs Virginia
Saturday, September 06
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs Virginia
Saturday, September 06
Pack Rewind 🎥 : East Carolina
Wednesday, September 03
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 1)
Monday, September 01