Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry: ‘It’s going to be a battle, a 12-round fight’

It did not take long for Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry to mention NC State’s defense during his weekly press conference Tuesday in Blacksburg. As a defensive-minded coach himself, he was quick to point out Wolfpack defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s unit. 

“The way their defense is playing is lights out,” Pry said. “Really, really good defensive unit. A ton of respect for what they’re doing, what they’re accomplishing. So we’ve got our hands full. It’s going to be a battle, a 12-round fight.”

The Wolfpack defense ranks inside the top-25 in the FBS in 10 statistical categories this season, including run defense (14th), total sacks (14th) and turnover margin (T-21st). 

As Pry talked about the Wolfpack’s defense, he could not pick out just one level of it that is the red and white’s strength. He thought every part of it has been stellar this season. 

“They’re strong at all three levels,” Pry said. “I think their front is stout and does exactly what you need them to do. I think their second and third levels are fast and disruptive. Obviously, [Payton Wilson], he’s got to be one of the best in the business right now.”

Wilson, NC State’s graduate linebacker, is sure to stand out from the Pack’s defense. He leads the ACC with 112 total tackles, and has recorded double digit tackles in seven of the Pack’s 10 games this season. 

The Hokies’ second-year coach did not even have to turn the film on to know that Wilson is good. He said he recruited the Hillsborough, N.C., native when he was the defensive coordinator at Penn State, so he knows what Wilson brings to the table. 

“He’s athletic, he’s tough, he’s got great instincts, and he’s fast,” Pry said of Wilson. “He’s a good one. I don’t see a weakness in his game.”

So how can Virginia Tech try to neutralize Wilson’s impact on the game? It might not be able to. 

“Most times you would say you try to deceive him, you try to get his eyes in the wrong place to give you a chance to get a play started away from him,” Pry said. “But this guy’s got great instincts, he’s very experienced — he doesn’t miss much. He’s going to make his plays in the ball game.”

While Pry is very familiar with Wilson, and his ability to change the game in the middle of NC State’s defense, his approach to the Wolfpack’s offense was slightly different. 

It is Pry’s second year at Virginia Tech, so he has not played Virginia since the game last year was canceled after the on-campus tragedy in Charlottesville. Which means he was not familiar with graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong, who is now NC State’s starter. 

“Until I dove into the film, I wasn’t aware of how well he ran the ball,” Pry said of Armstrong. “He’s a good size kid. He’s got good straight line speed, but he can also put his foot in the ground and make a cut. And he runs through a lot of tackles. I’ve seen a lot of secondary guys fall off.”

Armstrong is NC State’s leading passer and its leading rusher. He has accounted for 1,082 yards through the air with six passing touchdowns, while he has added another 433 yards on the ground with four scores. 

The Shelby, Ohio, native returned to NC State’s starting lineup after sophomore quarterback MJ Morris decided to redshirt the rest of the season. With that move, Pry thought the Wolfpack’s offense looked different with a bruising runner under center. 

“I think he’s a competitor, he’s tough, runs hard, runs confident,” Pry said of Armstrong. “I think their offense has changed. Morris was a runner as well, I just don’t think they were committed to it with him as they are with Armstrong. I think it’s a real strength of this game.”

The Wolfpack will make its first trip to Lane Stadium since 2020, but there were only 1,000 fans in the stands for that one due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time around, there will be a sold-out crowd of 66, 233 fans waiting for NC State, and its former rival quarterback, to arrive in Blacksburg.