Takeaways From Tony Elliott Talking NC State Matchup

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Virginia head coach Tony Elliott got his Cavaliers off to a strong start with a 48-7 victory over Coastal Carolina in the season opener. Now, his team is preparing for a much larger challenge: Dave Doeren and the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Doeren showed respect to Elliott and his new quarterback, Chandler Morris, during his Monday press conference following the Wolfpack's win over East Carolina.

The 'Hoos' coach sat down with the media following a practice to discuss the upcoming matchup with NC State, as well as his team's development during the early stages of the season.

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

What Did Elliott Say?

On Virginia's 2023 matchup against NC State and his takeaways from that game

Elliott: "The takeaways were discipline. You've got to stay disciplined. You're playing against a very good opponent, especially at the end of the game. You've got to finish it the right way. And very similar, they're a physical football team, want to run the football. They got an even more dynamic quarterback. Now they're very similar to what they've always been in the trenches.

They're big up front, athletic linebackers can run and then they have athletes in the secondary. So it's a typical NC State team. It fits Coach (Dave) Doeren's identity and how they approach it. He's a defensive guy and he wants to wants to win up front with the defensive line to be physical and then offensively, you know, he wants an offense that can line up, put their hand in the dirt and come after you. So that's what you see out of them."

Aug 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren walks out during the warmups prior to the game against East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

On NC State's receiving corps

Elliot: Their receiving core is big. They're all long guys. They're fast. The quarterback's got a cannon, so he can make every throw. They can run by you. And if you back off of them, they can make you miss the underneath stuff. So we're going to have to get lined up. We're going to have to communicate. We're going to have to stay on top of routes. We're going to have to get some pass rush. So the quarterback doesn't have, you know, time to find the, to find the open guys.

Aug 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) looks on during the warmups prior to the game against East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

(Justin) Joly, he's as good as we're going to see in this league, big physical guy that can stretch the field as well. And then they're running backs and catch the ball out of the backfield. So their skill is as good as we're going to see in this league. And so we got to create some pass rush to try and see if we can either get the ball out quick and then keep everything in front and rally to it or we're going to have to, you know, affect the quarterback so that, you know, he doesn't have time to find those deep balls on the perimeter.

But then also he can find those intermediate balls over the middle of the field where they can stretch. And if he hits them on the run, they have the ability with the speed to have a step on you. That could create some chunk plays."

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