Slept On It: N.C. State

I honestly can't remember the last time I was that pessimistic before a night game in Lane Stadium. Incomplete performances in consecutive weeks inspires little confidence.

I remember watching Brenden Motley and the offense walk off the field after Pitt intercepted the redshirt junior to seal a second straight loss. The defeated body language was palpable — understandably so, considering the circumstances. But after such a thorough beating by the Panthers' defense, it looked as though Motley & Co. were being consumed by the moment, conscious of an impending downward spiral.

In two short, discouraging weeks, the air had been sucked out of the program. Frank Beamer and his staff were on thin ice, surrounded by a fire breathing fanbase that was tired of annual uninspired performances. Hokie Nation wanted to believe that this team was on the verge of reasserting itself atop the ACC Coastal. In actuality, we saw a team becoming more paper tiger than King of the Beasts.

Frank Beamer noticed it too.

"We got looking at the video yesterday and we downed a couple balls, one on the one yard line, it was a heck of a play," remarked Beamer last Monday. "And everybody got up and it was like business as usual. I said, 'you know, that's not the way we need to be playing.' It needs to be emotional. It needs to be fun."

Boy was it ever. Despite digging themselves yet another 10-0 hole, the Hokies battled back to score 28 of the final 31 points and reinvigorate a weary program.

Thunderstorms, an infuriating gate snafu and an unconventional Enter Sandman did little to quiet the fans. Their continuous energy helped lift the Hokies out of the early deficit. Players were celebrating with one another on the field and whooping it up on the sideline. The coaching staff was getting into it as well, clearly aware of the game's importance.

It was a more complete performance from the Hokies than in recent weeks. They simplified some things, winnowing down the running back carousel to wunderkind Travon McMillian and inspirational leader Sam Rogers. They focused on distributing the ball to their stars, looking to get the Holy Trinity of Bucky Hodges, Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips involved early and often. The Tech defense adjusted and executed with increasing precision, locking down the outside runs and repeatedly pressuring Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

With each bone crushing hit and arm bar celebration from the defense, I expected to see Frank Beamer doing his best Gordon Bombay impression on the sideline, waving his hands and screaming, "More Fun! More Fun!"

When asked about the visible increase in energy after his three touchdown performance, Isaiah Ford noted, "We like to call it juice. I don't think we were missing it in the last few weeks, but it was a big emphasis on it this week. And even in practices, we wanted to make sure everyone was juiced up and had a lot of energy."

It felt like a throwback performance from the Hokies. After becoming one of the most intimidating visiting stadiums in the nation — especially under the lights — Lane Stadium has slowly lost it's lustre in recent years.

Consider this: From 2008-2012, the Hokies had a home record of 26-4 and never lost more than one home game in a season. Since then, the Hokies are 9-8 in Lane, including a sub-.500 record a year ago. Far-too-often, the Terror Dome had become a House of Horrors for the Hokies.

Friday night's performance was a positive step towards rebuilding that intimidating home field advantage. Getting there will require continued synergy between players and fans, feeding off one another to push them forward.

Moving forward, it is vital that this group build off of that experience and use it as a launching pad for the remainder of the season. For a Virginia Tech program looking to re-assert itself amongst a conference no longer intimidated by the brand, visible confidence could go a long way.

Just six weeks ago, this team led No. 1 Ohio State at halftime. After playing the Buckeyes close and dispatching of Furman and Purdue, any built-up confidence washed away along with the rain during those consecutive embarrassing losses to ECU and Pitt.

Friday night was different from the outset. Once the Hokies settled in, there was a swagger about the team that continued to build with each drive.

The vibe I got was akin to the 2007 road win at Clemson. Four weeks removed from an embarrassing 48-7 loss at LSU, Virginia Tech scored on a pick-six, a punt return and a kick return en route to a 41-23 thrashing of the Tigers. They laughed at the supposed hostile environment, danced on the sidelines and looked right at home in Death Valley.

This is a good Hokies team. They are by no means perfect, but the talent is there to succeed. In a mediocre Coastal Division there for the taking, the Hokies proved to themselves that they are capable of taking over a game and closing it out.

Much like that 2007 squad, it will be important for this team to rally around one another and recognize that they are a talented group — the same group that had Ohio State on the ropes — with the mental wherewithal to bounce back from a tough defeat.

Saturday's trip to Miami will be another important test for Virginia Tech. How they follow-up on a resurgent win will tell us a lot about this team and whether or not they truly have what it takes to be a player in the Coastal race.

After feeling dejected for two straight weeks, I desperately want to believe in this group after such a positive win. For the time being, what's important is that this team continues to believe in themselves and not be afraid to show it on the field. Ironic, considering The U is next.