NC State’s ACC home opener features a Virginia Tech team lead by QB Kyron Drones. Here are several names to watch and some notes on the matchups history.
#1 QB Kyron Drones - 6’2 235 lbs - Redshirt Senior
Kyron Drones is one of the more athletic quarterbacks in the ACC. He’s a strong runner and has the frame to withstand hits at 6’2 235 lbs. He just never really developed as a passer, and hasn’t had a 3:1 TD/INT ratio since 2023 which was his first season at Virginia Tech.
Not really sure what to expect from Drones this week outside of being a good runner. My only concern is if NC State’s secondary doesn’t improve, I could see Drones making some deep throws on some busted coverage plays.
#3 WR Donavon Greene - 6’2 196 lbs - Graduate
Donavon Greene is a tall and reliable receiver on Virginia Tech’s offense, who is averaging 20.3 yards per catch with two receiving touchdowns. The Mount Airy (NC) native transferred over from Wake Forest and was a former teammate of WR Wesley Grimes.
His best game so far this season was in their loss to South Carolina. He tallied 3 catches for 94 receiving yards. Greene will surely be targeted if he is ever seeing press coverage or single high safety looks.
#27 HB Marcellous Hawkins - 5’11 219 lbs - Redshirt Junior
Marcellous Hawkins, a transfer from Central Missouri which is a Division II school is currently Virginia Tech’s leading rusher. He only played 3 games in 2024, but shined in 2023 winning D2CCA 2nd Team All-Super Region III, 1st Team All-MIAA All-Purpose Back, and 2nd Team All-MIAA Running Back.
While also having a career best 1,053 rushing yards (6.7 yards/carry), 283 receiving yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, and 3 receiving touchdowns. If he can translate that 2023 season to the D1 level, he could be an interesting matchup for NC State’s defense.
They’ll have to be much more disciplined than they were in the Duke loss. Sebastian Harsh will hopefully get his mojo back after a rusty performance after being out in the 1st half. He was sorely missed in NC State’s run defense and tackling last week.
#13 DT Kemari Copeland - 6’3 283 lbs - Redshirt Junior
Kemari Copeland was a defensive line transfer from the 2024 transfer portal cycle. He was also a prospect that NC State tried to get that offseason, but Copeland ultimately chose the Hokies. In his 2023 season at Iowa Western C.C., he had 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss.
Even though he only appeared in four games last season, he’s stepped into a starting role for Virginia Tech and has been playing well. He could be a matchup problem for NC State’s interior offensive line. NC State may try to double team Copeland to help Hollywood Smothers continue his streak of 100 rush yard games this weekend.
#30 LB Michael Short - 6’3 226 lbs - Sophomore
A transfer from North Carolina, Short will be asked to play a larger role with leading tackler Caleb Woodson sidelined.
Short had 11 tackles against Vanderbilt and he will need to play a big role in slowing down Smothers.
Notables
* Tech will be without leading tackler Caleb Woodson and top secondary player Quentin Reddish. The talented safety led the secondary in PFF coverage grade and has recorded the only interception by the unit this year.
History of NC State vs. Virginia Tech:
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NC State’s all time record against Virginia Tech is 20-28-4.
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NC State and Virginia Tech last met during the 2023 season in Raleigh, NC State won 35-28.
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Before NC State won the last two meetings in 2023 and 2022, Virginia Tech had won 5 straight games against the Wolfpack dating back to 2005.
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The average margin of victory for either team since their first meeting in 1900 is 9.54 points.
