Tony Elliott’s Thoughts After Close Loss to NC State

What Virginia head coach Tony Elliott had to say after the loss

Aug 30, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott celebrates after a touchdown against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers during the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

The Virginia Cavaliers marched into Raleigh hoping to pull off an upset win as the underdog. Going into halftime, it looked like Tony Elliott and his squad were going to accomplish what they set out for. By the end, it was the grittiness of NC State that prevailed.

Sep 6, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) prepares to throw the football during the first half of the game against Virginia Cavaliers at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

From a 24-14 lead to a 35-31 loss, things can change quickly. Elliott spoke to the media after the close loss to the Wolfpack.

Offense stalling out in the second half

Virginia was able to move the ball with ease in the first half, scoring on four out of five drives and looking unstoppable. It all changed in the second as the team only scored on one drive out of five. Things change quickly within a college football game, and they certainly did for the Cavaliers.

Sep 6, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) runs with the football during the first half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

• “You know, it's ACC football. You got to find a way,” Elliott said. They got in position to kick the field goal. That's where we got it. We got to produce right there. That's not necessarily on the offense. And had a turnover there, driving fourth and one. A difference was they made a fourth and one. We didn't, so they made a critical play when we didn't. But do it all over again. Super proud of the guys. Thought they battled their tails off.”

Two Minutes Drive

It was a deja vu moment for the Wolfpack defense. Virginia got the ball back with 2:12 left on the clock, down by four. Ultimately, graduate defensive end Cian Slone came up with an interception in the end zone to seal the game.

Win secured 🔒#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/XgULrs3yUc

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 7, 2025

• “He had a back wheel out of the backfield,” Elliott said. “Just kind of missed where you don't want to miss as a quarterback. And their guy— kudos to him — He's a defensive end, and he found a way to cover the back, be in position, turn around and catch the ball. So, I thought their guy made a good competitive play, but we left it a little bit inside.”

Hollywood Smothers

Redshirt sophomore running back was a problem for the Virginia defense all night long. Smothers finished the game with 140 rushing yards and forced six missed tackles according to Pro Football Focus.

Hollywood Smothers is the first NC State player with 130+ rushing yards & two rushing touchdowns in a game since Reggie Gallaspy in 2018!#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/wbK17Ivp3t

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 6, 2025

The Virginia defense didn't see a back like Smothers in week one. The unit played Coastal Carolina, allowing 91 total yards and 3.0 yards a carry. Cleary Smothers was a different beast, but Elliott was ready for the challenge.

• “He's good. I mean, if you watch him like he's going to have some more big games,” Elliott said. “And prior to that big run, we were kind of boxing him in a little bit. But you give him space, he's gonna make you pay. And in the biggest thing with him is he's got tremendous speed. He's got great contact balance. He knows how to run. He understands run schemes. I knew it was a matter of time that he was going to have a big play. Just was hoping it wasn't a big 70-yard or 50-yard run, whatever it was to set up the score.”

Virginia defense created no havoc

The Cavaliers weren't able to cause any havoc for the Wolfpack offense. Not a single turnover, sack, or, for the most part, a negative play. NC State was able to control the line of scrimmage for most of the game, and when needed to sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey would throw the ball accurately down the field.

https://t.co/gKHFxuCEqM pic.twitter.com/wdytfZCVRj

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 6, 2025

• "That's two good football teams going at it, to be honest with you," Elliott said. "[NC State's] offensive line right there is good, and they got a ton of experience ... That's a really good quarterback. He was gonna get the ball out of his hand. Especially in the second half, when you're allowing him to stay ahead of the chains. It's very hard to get sacks. When you're ahead of the chains, and  then you can convert five-yard throws into nine-yard gains, 10-yard gains. Man, it's hard to get pressure on him."

• "I wish we would have found a way to knock one of those balls on the ground, but, man, that was a good football game against two good football teams that were battling that got good offensive personnel."

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