What they're saying after NC State's win at Virginia Tech

NC State continued its winning ways with a 35-28 win at Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon behind graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong’s 4-touchdown game in Blacksburg, Va.

Here is what those who covered the game are saying about the Pack’s fourth road win of the season.

Ethan McDowell, The Wolfpacker —Column: Clear room in the trophy case for Kevin Concepcion and Payton Wilson

“Payton Wilson and Kevin Concepcion’s brilliance transcends venue, stage and the magnitude of the moment.

NC State’s two star playmakers have carried the program to wins at times this year. With the team playing at high level around them since the bye week, they did not need to do too much during the 35-28 win over Virginia Tech, making the key plays to break open the game offensively and keep the Hokies at bay defensively.

At any point during Saturday’s game, they were clearly two of the best players on the field. 

Two games remain on the Wolfpack’s schedule. Neither player is going to take too much credit, and they have both heaped praise onto their teammates throughout the season. It is almost time to truly acknowledge the greatness they showcased this season.”

Noah Fleischman, The Wolfpacker — NC State’s Brennan Armstrong continues resurgence in win at Virginia Tech 

“Brennan Armstrong did not find success against Virginia Tech when he was the starter at Virginia in his previous two contests against the Hokies. He and the Cavaliers struggled to beat their archrival, but when he walked into Lane Stadium in NC State’s black and white uniform on Saturday afternoon, the tide turned. 

Armstrong and the Wolfpack’s offense controlled the game from the second quarter on, and he was pivotal in the team’s five straight touchdown drives to build a three-score lead, from which the red and white held on to win 35-28. 

The graduate quarterback native was an efficient 18-of-26 passing for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns.  And it was not just his arm, either. The bruising runner logged 113 rushing yards prior to his intelligent kneel-downs that he ran backwards with at the end of the game to let the clock expire. 

But this Armstrong is a different version than the one that played against the Hokies the first two times around. It is even a different sample of a quarterback than the Armstrong that was the Wolfpack’s starter through the first five weeks.”

Jadyn Watson-Fisher, News & Observer — NC State football tops Virginia Tech. Pack wins in Blacksburg for first time in 19 years

“The last time N.C. State won a football game at Lane Stadium: Ken Jennings made his major Jeopardy run, iPhones did not exist, Facebook was months old, and most of the current Wolfpack players were infants — assuming they were alive at all. 

N.C. State ended its 19-year drought in Blacksburg on Saturday, picking up a 35-28 win over Virginia Tech. It was the first win at Virginia Tech for coach Dave Doeren — and for graduate transfer quarterback Brennan Armstrong, who’d never won there while playing for Virginia, either. Coming into the contest, the Hokies had won five of the past seven meetings. 

Offense led the way for both NC State (8-3, 5-2 ACC) and Virginia Tech (5-6, 4-3 ACC), surprising given that’s been an area of concern for both programs.”

David Teel, Richmond Times-Dispatch — Hokies fail to slow N.C. State’s Armstrong, must beat Virginia to earn bowl bid

“The hurt from a 35-28 setback to N.C. State still fresh Saturday, Keonta Jenkins described Virginia Tech’s approach to the regular-season finale next week at Virginia.

“Just having a chip on our shoulder knowing a lot is at stake,” the senior linebacker said.

That chip, the sense of urgency to seize a big moment, was strangely absent Saturday against the Wolfpack.

Stakes? The Hokies (5-6, 4-3 ACC) were playing for bowl eligibility. On Senior Day. Before a sellout crowd. Against a quality opponent.”

Andy Bitter, Tech Sideline — Don’t Be Fooled — NC State Defeat Was A Dud For Virginia Tech

“Don’t be deceived by the one-score margin, the final yardage totals, the fourth-quarter push or Brent Pry’s optimistic quotes afterward about second-half resilience.

That was a dud, plain and simple.

The scoreboard will read NC State 35, Virginia Tech 28, but it wasn’t that close. When the game mattered, the Wolfpack ate the Hokies’ lunch Saturday night in Lane Stadium. 

Surprisingly, NC State (8-3, 5-2 ACC) did it offensively. A group that came into the night averaging just 17.8 points a game in conference play kept Tech off-balance with a devastating and efficient combination of quarterback Brennan Armstrong and do-it-all receiver KC Concepcion. 

Less surprisingly, they did it defensively, with star linebacker Payton Wilson and his crew blowing up most of the Hokies’ offensive plans before they could even start, all but eliminating the rushing threat that Tech has leaned on so frequently of late.”