Brennan Armstrong previews his mindset for return trip to Virginia

NC State underwent a bit of a makeover during the offseason, hiring Robert Anae as the Wolfpack’s offensive coordinator and plucking former Virginia star quarterback Brennan Armstrong out of the transfer portal.

Anae, who was Brennan’s OC at UVA until 2021, Brennan and the Wolfpack will travel to their former school on Sept. 22 — and emotions are sure to be running high. Although, Brennan wouldn’t tell you that, as he’s focused on winning as many games as it takes to reach the top.

“It’s another game. I think every ACC game is going to be very important, especially without the divisions now. The top two go to the ACC Championship game,” Armstrong said. “It’s going to be a good experience. Boos, cheers, whatever comes with it, I’m just there to win a game. That’s my mindset going into that game.”

Armstrong’s claim to fame during his three years as a starter at Virginia was that he led the Cavaliers to be ranked second nationally in 2021 with an average of 404.5 passing yards per game. He finished that season with 4,449 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, nine rushing scores compared to 10 interceptions all while leading the Cavaliers to rank third nationally in total offense.

He took a step back in 2022, finishing the year with 2,210 yards while completing 185 of his 338 pass attempts but had seven touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions, but was regarded as one of the top QB portalers in this past year’s cycle thanks to his strong 2021 season.

That success builds bonds between teammates that last forever. And even with Armstrong’s transfer, there are no hard feelings between him and his former teammates still with the program.

“I stay in touch with most of them. Most of the older guys that are still there, I’ve obviously came up and played, three or four seasons with them. So I keep in touch with them here and there,” Armstrong said. “We check in on each other just to see how things are going. A lot of the quarterbacks still and then a few of the running backs, a few of the receivers.”

Under the guidance of Armstrong, the Wolfpack is set to get their 2023 college football campaign underway when they travel to Connecticut to face the Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 2. They will presumedly be heavy favorites entering the matchup, but will have a quick turnaround the following week when they host to Notre Dame. His return to Virginia will come soon after.