Soundbites: Week Eleven Press Conference (Clemson)

BLACKSBURG – With three regular-season games remaining in the 2024 campaign, Virginia Tech football sets its sights on a ranked conference opponent. Head coach Brent Pry and company are looking to get back on track against No. 19 Clemson. On Tuesday, Pry spoke with the media for his weekly press conference to preview the matchup. Student-athletes Malachi Thomas and Dante Lovett also took the podium to speak. Read and watch below to see what they had to say:

Head coach Brent Pry

On reflection of close games this season:
"Yeah, I think for me, I went back and looked at each of the games this year. And, what was the mindset, what was the approach, how did I handle it personally? Whether it's time management, timeouts, how did we call the game as an offensive play caller, as a defensive play caller. What we're doing in practice. Just like with the slow starts, you know, we made some adjustments. How do we find a way to start fast? You know, from a schematic standpoint, play calling standpoint, practice mindset. So, we're doing the same thing that way. Looking at these close finishes and what do we have to do to get over the top and have a closer mentality, you know, and finish these things out. So we're taking a hard look at it from a lot of angles."

On overcoming tough losses:
"Yeah, you got to put them behind you. You know, you have to learn the lessons. You have to become a better team from what's occurred. We've been able to do that all along. And we're working to do that this year. We've got to come out better, win or loss. And this can still be a special year for us. They know that. This is a great opportunity with Clemson at home. Talented, ranked team. I think we're 0 and 5 or 0 and 6 the last several against these guys. This is why you come to Virginia Tech to play in games like this, big opportunities. Let's go out and play our best game yet is always the challenge. And now the added narrative, let's go finish. Let's get on top. And let's be right there at the end and find a way to finish and close one out in a big way."

Running back Malachi Thomas

On his development compared to last season:
"I'll say I feel a little bit more explosive. And when it comes to breaking tackles and everything like that I'm getting better at driving my knees. So, I'll say all of those things are just helping my game evolve more."

Cornerback Dante Lovett

On the team's mentality for the rest of the season:
"Mindset: the rest of the season is to win out. That was our mindset going to Syracuse, we just had a tough loss. Where I feel like everyone, even though we lost, we still have the mindset of we're going to go in and still win out. We still have a bye week to make sure we get healthy, going into Duke and UVA. I feel like that's going to be a big key to success. And not letting up there, and putting the gas on, stepping on the pedal and going. And just going full head of steam for the rest of the season."