Tech lost, 24–13,[7] but recovered to win its next game—against lightly regarded Western Michigan—in blowout fashion, 63–0.[8] In its first conference game in the ACC, the Hokies beat Duke, 47–17, to improve to a 2–1 record.[9] Their first win in the ACC was followed by their first loss, however, as the Hokies lost the next week to North Carolina State, 17–16, when Tech kicker Brandon Pace missed a last-second field goal.[10]