Brent Pry Reacts After Virginia Tech’s Loss to South Carolina in Season Opener
Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry addressed the media Sunday night following the Hokies’ 24-11 loss to South Carolina in the Aflac Kickoff Game. The Gamecocks pulled away in the fourth quarter, but Pry said he saw both positives and plenty of correctable mistakes from his team.
Opening Statement
“First of all, I want to thank our fans for the turnout. Outstanding. We got the greatest fans in America. Showed up here in Atlanta and from the walk into the stadium and all game long they were outstanding, so thank you for those that made the trip and we’ll need you Saturday night in Lane Stadium.
Disappointed in the outcome and there’s no pats on the back. Too many self-inflicts errors, untimely penalties, drops… not good enough in the red zone. You got to have touchdowns down there. And then to give up… the punt return and the deep ball after making them earn it? That can’t happen. We got some things to clean up and we will. We got to be a better team and we can be.”
Pry praised his team’s fight but said costly mistakes erased opportunities:
“I thought the guys fought their butt off. It wasn’t about the effort… but we’d make a big play and then have a penalty bring it back. For the most part, the run defense was pretty good. Sellers made some plays, which he’s going to. He did against everybody last year.”
On the Punt Return Touchdown
Asked about the Gamecocks’ big special teams play, Pry pointed to execution lapses.
“You never like to have your cover team go twice in a row. I didn’t like it when it happened. And then our gunners—you got to take your shot. You got to finish… they came off the gas instead of taking their shot which makes the guy go sideways and gives the rest of your coverage team a chance to make the play. Certainly disappointing.”
Defensive Game Plan Against LaNorris Sellers
Pry felt the Hokies’ scheme was effective at times.
“I think we mixed coverages up. We changed fronts up on him. I think we had him hesitating back there a little bit. I think we had four sacks, I thought the game plan was the right one… I think it showed a foundation there with a new defense and new structure in who we can be.”
On Penalties
Virginia Tech was flagged several times at costly moments.
“The chop block? 66 Mont was still tied up with him and Coney dropped on him. It’s a high-low. I’ve seen it not called… but they called it. Donavon’s penalty? I don’t know, I’ve seen that one not called and it got called. Early in the game, third and three offensively, we flinch and it goes to third and eight. Against a good team like South Carolina, we can’t make the number of mistakes we made.”
On QB Kyron Drones’ Performance
Drones finished 15-for-35 with two interceptions. Pry was candid but supportive.
“Honestly the throw in the red zone, I was really disappointed. That’s stuff he’s moved past… We had three drops out there we got to have. Down the stretch, we were misfiring. He’ll own it more than anybody but he did some good things with his feet. He made some nice throws. He showed poise. First game back, certainly something we can grow from.”
On Mistakes Becoming a Theme
Asked about repeated errors like illegal formations, Pry pushed back slightly.
“These are self-inflicted wounds that to me, we’re a better team than that. I don’t expect us to make these… But in the end, two big plays, a punt return for a touchdown and a deep ball. You don’t want to make it that easy on them.”
Red Zone Struggles
Pry said execution, not play-calling, was the problem.
“I don’t have a problem with the play selection. It’s the execution. It’s the penalty, it’s the decision-making. And we’ve doubled down on our work in the red zone so that makes it even more frustrating. You convert a couple of those field goals to touchdowns and it’s different.”
On Halftime Clock Management
Some questioned why Tech settled for a field goal before halftime. Pry clarified:
“We were trying to score a touchdown. Don’t get me wrong. Of course we were… We wanted to score but we also didn’t want to put us in a situation where we didn’t have an opportunity for a field goal.”
On Caleb’s Discipline
Pry confirmed Caleb faced internal punishment beyond losing his captaincy and not starting.
“We’re going to let the university policy, the athletic department’s policy, the court system… play out. There may be things down the road that are necessary.”
On Kicker John Love
Pry praised his kicker’s consistency after a 56-yarder and three field goals.
“You certainly gain confidence in your placekicker. He’s done it time and time again and we’re fortunate that John is the type of kicker that he is. Honestly, he kept us in the game with those field goals.”
In the end, Pry summed it up simply: Virginia Tech’s effort was there, but self-inflicted mistakes and two explosive plays from South Carolina were the difference.
