What to Watch: Virginia Tech vs. NC State

Both teams come off an open week, while Wolfpack to start backup quarterback

Football
10/27/2022 8:00:00 AM

Virginia Tech and No. 24 NC State kick off Halloween weekend with a matchup under the lights Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Carter-Finley Stadium and will be aired on ESPN.

Below are some storylines fans should keep a lookout for heading into Thursday’s primetime game.

 

Back and Refreshed

After a week off, the Hokies are back and ready to continue their 2022 campaign, with a crossover matchup with the Wolfpack, who are in the Atlantic Division of the ACC. Tech has done well when coming back from an open week, owning an 86-52-6 all-time record when getting 10-14 days of rest before a contest during the regular season. A win will inch them one step closer to bowl-eligibility, as well as their second victory in league play, jumping them to the middle of the pack in the Coastal Division. 

 

History is on Tech’s Side

The Hokies currently lead the series 28-18-4. In recent history, Tech has found success against NC State, winning five of the last six matchups since joining the ACC in 2004. The Hokies hold a small lead when playing on the road, 14-13-2. For a closer look at the two programs’ history, check out this week’s Series Snapshot, presented by AAA. Then on Thursday nights on ESPN, the Hokies are 23-11 and have won their last two Thursday night games on the road (2016 at Pitt, 2015 at Georgia Tech).

 

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Tough Challenge Ahead
The Hokies’ offense will be seeing a Wolfpack defense that has been dominant this season. The defensive unit for State currently ranks second in the ACC in total defense (310.9 ypg) and scoring defense (16.9 ppg), and leads the ACC in passing efficiency (106.45), interceptions (11) and first down defense (110). With that stout defense, Tech will need to keep its offense on the field as much as possible, and the Hokies have been able to do that so far this season, ranking first in the ACC in stopping teams on third downs (30.7%).
 
Bringing the Pressure
In their game against Florida State on Oct. 8, the Wolfpack lost their star quarterback Devin Leary to a season-ending injury late in the third quarter. For the rest of the year, NC State will be…