Week 12----ACC Big Plays!!!!!

[ajoytoy]

61-59-3 (-3.58)

gonna open it up a little this weekend!!!!!!!


NCSU +14.5 (-101) 5 U
UVA +7 (-114)
Purdue +3.5 (-109)
Duke +14 (-105) 2U
Temple +26 (-108)
UNC +10.5 (-105) 2 U
Texas A&M +14 (-105)
Texas Tech +15.5 (-102) 2 U
Baylor +53 (-108)
UConn +9 (-107)

really dont think i will have any more plays, but might add a teaser or 2!:nono: ...and maybe a ML if it becomes available

will update injury report later this week for the Pack


GO PACK!

 

[Master Capper]

Like the first two UVA and NCST, any thoughts on Wake?

 

[ajoytoy]

Like the first two UVA and NCST, any thoughts on Wake?

picked Uconn with the points....Wake has a good running game, but has trouble coming back in games (like the UNC game last week)...UConn seems to play teams close....

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

gl this week man.

 

[ajoytoy]

Wolfpack to rest -- and watch




BY AL FEATHERSTON : The Herald-Sun
afeatherston@heraldsun.com
Nov 6, 2003 : 11:53 pm ET

N.C. State can't do anything to help or hurt its bowl chances this weekend.

But as the Wolfpack enjoys its week off, Coach Chuck Amato and his team will watch a couple of ACC games with interest.

For instance, the Florida State at Clemson game could extinguish N.C. State's very, very slender hopes for a share of the ACC title and a BCS bid. The Seminoles could clinch the league title outright with a victory in Death Valley.

If Clemson pulls the upset, the Pack would have a chance to win a share of the title by closing the season with victories over Florida State and Maryland.

More likely, the best N.C. State can do is a spot in either the Gator or the Peach bowl. The Pack's chances of earning one of those bids -- and finishing alone in second in the league standings -- would be helped if Duke could upset Georgia Tech on Saturday in Wallace Wade Stadium.

Of course, N.C. State can guarantee a Gator or Peach trip with two more wins ... or bring the Continental Tire Bowl or the Tangerine Bowl in play with another loss or two.

"All we can do is take care of our own business," Amato said. "We have addressed this with our players in the last few weeks: 'We're bowl eligible ... now it's a matter of where do you want to go? It's in your hands. The better you play, the better chance we have of getting to a more prestige bowl.' "

But Amato won't sneer at Charlotte or Orlando as a bowl destination. And even though N.C. State's victory over Virginia last week appeared to take the Humanitarian Bowl out of play for the Pack, N.C. State's coach would rather go to Boise, Idaho, in midwinter than stay home for the holidays.

"A bowl in itself is a reward, no matter where it's at," he said. "You read some things, 'Oh, I don't want to go to that bowl.'

"Well, tough. 'You're going to go if that's the one we go to.' "

Rivers lacking attention?

Philip Rivers enjoyed perhaps the best performance of his career last Saturday, leading N.C. State to a thrilling victory over Virginia.

But the Wolfpack quarterback, once touted as a Heisman frontrunner, got little attention for his brilliant showing.

"I'm kind of surprised that with the performance he had last week against a football team that held Florida State to [one touchdown], it really went unnoticed -- not only locally but nationally," Amato said. "You didn't hear anything about it. In fact, the only thing I heard about the game was the fact that [Virginia quarterback] Matt Schaub completed a touchdown pass, which was on SportsCenter about 1 a.m."

Rivers actually did gain ground in ESPN's Heisman poll, moving up to fourth place after hitting 29 of 34 passes for 410 yards, four TDs and no interceptions in the Pack's 51-37 victory.

In contrast, Sports Illustrated's Web site celebrated three quarterbacks for their performances last week, citing Oklahoma's Jason White for going 11-for-27 for 194 yards, two TDs and two interceptions in a victory over Oklahoma State; Southern California's Matt Leinart for hitting 17 of 31 for 191 yards and three TDs against Washington State; and Mississippi's Eli Manning for hitting 30 of 42 for 391 yards, three TDs and one interception in a win over South Carolina.

Rivers approaches more records

Rivers already owns virtually every ACC career passing record.

Now he's closing in on several important single-season marks. He's on pace to record the best completion percentage in ACC history (72.2 percent). He's working on the No. 3 pass efficiency mark in ACC history (166.5).

His 3,318 yards passing already rank No. 6 in league history (just behind his own 3,353 yards set last year). He needs 850 more yards to break Chris Weinke's ACC record of 4,167 yards. He needs just 701 more yards to break Weinke's total offense record of 4,070 yards. He needs 38 completions to break Ben Bennett's single-season record of 300. With three games left (counting N.C. State's likely bowl), Rivers should get all three records.

He also needs nine more touchdown passes to break Weinke's single-season record of 33. He's currently averaging 2.5 touchdown passes a game, which means that one could be close.

"His numbers will be just outrageous," Amato said.

ABC picks up N.C. State-FSU

The game time for N.C. State's Nov. 15 game at Florida State has been set. The Wolfpack will meet the Seminoles at 3:30 p.m. in a game that will be regionally televised by ABC.

 

[ajoytoy]

Amato and Pack Prep for Bowl Run
Postseason possibilities are endless heading into the last two games.


Nov. 6, 2003





By Tony Haynes

Raleigh, N.C.-Never one to shy away from setting lofty goals, NC State football coach Chuck Amato won't even attempt to shield his players from the chatter and rumors about the many bowl scenarios that will likely swirl around the Wolfpack for the next three weeks. With two big conference games remaining, the Pack has, to a certain degree, destiny in its own hands. A November 15th road trip to ACC top dog Florida State will be followed by the season finale in Raleigh against Maryland one week later. In other words, a bowl trip that everyone at NC State would consider to be desirable will have to be earned.

"All we can do is to take care of our own business and we have addressed this with our players the last few weeks," Amato said on Wednesday. "We're bowl eligible, now it's a matter of where you want to go. The better you play, the better the chance you have of getting to a bowl of higher prestige. But a bowl unto itself is a reward no matter where it's at. I read some things where people say 'I don't want to go to that bowl.' Well tough, you're going to go if that's the only bowl that we're allowed to go to because it is a reward for the school, the players and the team."





Not to mention the extra practice time that goes with any bowl invitation, regardless of where it may come from. If Florida State defeats Clemson Saturday night, it will clinch the ACC Championship and the automatic BCS spot that goes with it. That would leave the Wolfpack in the hunt for either a return trip to the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day or the Atlanta Peach Bowl, scheduled to be played on January 2nd at 4:30.

In the case of NC State's last two opponents, recent history leads to a mixed bag of conclusions. It is, in fact, somewhat bizarre that the Wolfpack has captured two in a row and three of the last five against the Seminoles, yet has come up short in three tries against Maryland since Amato took over in Raleigh.

"The past is history," Amato said when asked about his team's recent success against FSU. "It's yesterday's story other than the fact that they will be talking about the past down there. We can't talk about it. That was another team that beat those Florida State teams. We've just got to go about our own business."

NC State got back down to business with a practice on Wednesday. Amato says there will be workouts on Thursday and Friday before he gives the players a chance to enjoy Saturday's bye with a day off. The Wolfpack (7-3, 4-2) heads into this final stretch having won four in a row and six of its last seven.

Rivers Under the Radar? Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers' name somehow slipped under the national radar last Saturday despite his spectacular performance in NC State's 51-37 win over Virginia. Even after completing his first 17 passes and going on to hit 29-of-34 throws for 410 yards and four touchdowns, the senior from Athens, Alabama didn't even so much as get a mention on SportsCenter that night.

"It really kind of went unnoticed, not only locally but nationally," Amato said of Rivers' big game. "You didn't hear anything about it against a quality football team. On SportsCenter at about 1 a.m. the next morning, there was something about Matt Schaub throwing a touchdown pass, but never mentioned what Philip Rivers did. But if he keeps doing what he's doing, we have a chance and so does he."

Now the holder of all the ACC's major career passing records, Rivers is putting together a phenomenal season. Through 10 games, he's passed for 3,318 yards (Average of 331.8) and 25 touchdowns, while also connecting on 72.2 percent of his throws.

Those are Heisman numbers in anyone's book and if Rivers can keep it up over the last two games, Amato sees no reason why he wouldn't be one of the players invited to New York for the annual Heisman Trophy Awards Ceremony next month.

"It all depends on what happens these last couple of games," Amato said. "If he can perform like he did last week in the last couple of games, his numbers have got to qualify him to go up there because his numbers will be just outrageous."

 

[ajoytoy]

Tony Haynes: T.A. Equals Big Plays
McLendon's mere presence gives Pack an edge.


Tony Haynes Archive




Nov. 4, 2003







By Tony Haynes

To understand just how important running back T.A. McLendon is to the NC State football team, all one really needs to do is review three consecutive plays from the first half of the Wolfpack's incredible 51-37 ACC victory over Virginia on Saturday night. Amazingly, the sophomore running back didn't even touch the ball on two of the plays that ultimately led to a 76-yard touchdown march. But as that symbolic drive clearly demonstrated, McLendon doesn't really need to get his hands on the ball to be a factor. Just having him on the field makes enough of a difference.

The 3-play sequence to which I refer occurred in the second quarter with NC State trailing 17-14. On first down, Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers froze the Cavalier linebackers and safeties with a play-action fake to McLendon and fired a 33-yard strike to receiver Jerricho Cotchery crossing the middle. On second down, McLendon bulled his way for 10 yards to the Virginia 33. On third down, another play-action fake again fooled the Cavaliers, allowing Rivers to connect with Cotchery again, this time for 33 more yards and a touchdown.





The big number 44 McLendon wears on his jersey might as well be a target because opposing defensive coordinators know that if they can't stop him, they'll have no chance of controlling Rivers. And when defenses gear up to stop the run, they become much more vulnerable to the downfield play-action passing game.

Given the fact that there's been virtually no play-action game to speak of with McLendon missing much of this season with injuries, Rivers has done a remarkable job of still putting up big numbers. But with the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year by his side in the backfield, Rivers becomes doubly lethal.

On Saturday, the ACC's all-time leading passer was at his best, hitting his first 17 throws in the opening half before coming back with another streak of nine consecutive completions in the second half. He finished 29-of-34 for 410 yards, and all four of his touchdown passes, three of which covered 34, 33 and 75 yards, came off of play-action fakes to McLendon.

And of course, this strange run-to-pass relationship also works in reverse, as evidenced by the play that won it for the Pack. With the Virginia defense spread out looking for a pass with just a half-minute remaining in the game, McLendon broke loose on a trap play that produced a 38-yard scoring run and the game-winning points.

Would NC State's offensive coaches have made such a gutsy call with any of the other backs at that crucial juncture? Probably not. In fact, a lot of runners would have probably been stopped for a 3-yard gain, but when McLendon shook off safety Jay Dorsey after breaking through the initial hole, he was off to the races.

"Our coaches were saying if we call the running play, he might hit his head on the goalpost," Amato said. "He's a force just being in the backfield."

Big Bye Week: If Amato had his druthers, NC State would have had its bye week in between the season opener against Western Carolina and the Ohio State game back in September. It almost happened. An initial draft of this year's schedule had the Wolfpack taking the weekend of September 6th off. But because of the need to accommodate all of the ACC teams and their non-conference schedules, the Pack ended up playing Wake Forest that weekend.

In the final analysis, however, the bye for this weekend comes at a very good time, especially since the next opponent is Florida State on November 15.

"We've gone 10 straight games," Amato said. "We should have had an open date a long time ago. We need it, but we're actually getting some people healthy at this point. Our coaches are going to go out on the road and recruit, and the players will lift and do some agility drills. We'll practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and let them have off on Saturday."

 

[ajoytoy]

N.C. State still has hope. The Pack suddenly has a
shot at what, until Saturday, seemed a decided long
shot.

two-way tie (between teams a & b)


1. Team A defeats Team B and is ranked higher -- Team
A earns bid.

2. Team A defeats Team B and is ranked lower, but in
the top 10 --Team A earns bid (except if Team B is
ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series
Poll, then Team B earns bid).

3. Team A defeats Team B and is ranked lower, but is
ranked five or fewer positions below Team B -- Team A
earns bid.

4. Team A defeats Team B and is ranked lower, and more
than five positions below Team B -- Team B receives
the bid.

If two teams have the same ranking, or both are
unranked, the bid goes to the team that has won the
head-to-head game.

(ACC)





The Wolfpack's last-gasp chance of tying for an ACC
championship, and possibly squeezing into a Bowl
Championship Series game, hinged on Clemson being able
to upset Florida State. Few expected that to happen
with FSU ranked third in the national polls, third in
the BCS standings and itching to play for another
national championship.

But guess what? It happened.

Clemson won 26-10 Saturday, meaning the Seminoles
(8-2, 6-1 ACC) now must beat N.C. State this week to
prevent the Pack -- or maybe Maryland -- from possibly
grabbing a share of the championship, possibly
stealing the BCS berth.

Not that the Pack (7-3, 4-2) suddenly has an easy
path. The Wolfpack must beat the Noles in Tallahassee,
then top Maryland in its regular-season finale at
Carter-Finley Stadium to be the ACC co-champion.

For State, whose last ACC title came in 1979, that
means beating Florida State for the third straight
season. It means handing FSU a second consecutive ACC
loss. It means winning on the road -- the Pack is 1-3
in away games this year, its only victory at Duke.

Even with wins over FSU and the Terrapins, NCSU still
may not get a BCS game. Under the ACC's tiebreaking
rules, State would have to finish within five spots of
FSU in the final BCS standings. Otherwise, the Noles
still could go a major bowl game and leave the Pack
probably headed back to the Gator Bowl.

FSU tumbled from third to 11th in the USA Today/ESPN
coaches poll released Sunday while NCSU remains out of
the top 25 -- the Pack was second among "others
receiving votes." The Pack was fourth among other
teams receiving votes in the AP poll.

But should the Noles lose to State and then at Florida
in their finale, should NCSU win out, the "five or
fewer position" provision in the ACC tiebreaker
procedure could be interesting.

Should State knock off FSU and then stumble against
Maryland, the Seminoles could back into an outright
championship. Or it could be the Terps (6-3, 3-2)
doing the backing in. Maryland could win its last
three ACC games and share the title at 6-2 -- if, that
is, the Pack wins this week at Doak Campbell Stadium.

So much for all the unpredictables and permutations.

"This is a game we have to have," FSU coach Bobby
Bowden said Sunday.

The Wolfpack won 34-28 at Doak Campbell in 2001 -- the
Noles' first-ever ACC loss at home. State then stopped
FSU 17-7 last season at Carter-Finley, handing the
Seminoles their only ACC defeat of the year.

"We all look forward to playing Florida State," Pack
center Jed Paulsen said. "But after beating them the
last two years, we know they're not happy about that."

Nor are the Noles happy with their effort against
Clemson.

"I'm not in a good mood right now," Bowden said
Sunday. "Clemson had a good plan and took it to us. We
really took a licking, and it was everywhere."

FSU, coming off a big win at Notre Dame, had 11 net
yards rushing against the inspired Tigers, who had
been thrashed by Wake Forest in their last game and,
as Bowden put it, had an "attitude transplant." And
quarterback Chris Rix couldn't pass the Noles to
victory, facing a steady blitz and going 16-of-31 for
194 yards, with two interceptions and a lost fumble.

The Seminoles' defense also had its share of problems.
Clemson ran for 152 yards and Tigers quarterback
Charlie Whitehurst passed for 272 against a unit that
was 12th nationally in total defense.

"You can't point to one position," Bowden said. "It
all broke down at the same time. It was the whole
football team, not one man."

As for the quarterback position, Bowden appeared to
grow wearier Sunday fielding questions about whether
backup Fabian Walker might start this week. Walker, a
junior, came on in the fourth quarter Saturday and had
a 71-yard touchdown pass.

"I'm not happy with the way either of them played,"
Bowden said.

Bowden wouldn't rule out using Wyatt Sexton, the No. 3
quarterback, a freshman from Tallahassee and the son
of FSU assistant Billy Sexton.

NCSU also beat the Noles 24-7 in 1998, meaning the
Pack has won three of the last five in the series.
Does that rate as a rivalry?

"I think so," Bowden said. "What makes it a rivalry is
when both beat each other. When you start to get beat.
... "

It can make things interesting.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

GL this week aj!

HORNS

 

[Superbear]

I'l watch,...but would not bet either side or the total with Chinese money:nooo: :thinking: :wall:

 

[ajoytoy]

N.C. State Monday Morning QB




By AL FEATHERSTON : The Herald-Sun
afeatherston@heraldsun.com
Nov 10, 2003 : 12:10 am ET

REWIND

N.C. State took the weekend off -- it's first off week of the season. The Pack was able to spend the week healing and preparing for next week's game at Florida State.

COMMENTARY

N.C. State didn't play Saturday, but the Pack enjoyed one of the most productive Saturdays of the season. The way the off-week worked out, Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato may want to take another -- if it goes as well as the last one, N.C. State might find itself back in the NCAA title hunt.

Okay, that's an exaggeration. Still, Saturday's ACC games thrust the Pack back into the ACC title race and strengthened N.C. State's bid to qualify for a quality bowl, in other words, either the Gator or the Peach.

The Pack's biggest boost was Clemson's stunning upset of Florida State. The Seminoles merely needed to beat the reeling Tigers in Death Valley to clinch the ACC title and to lock up the league's BCS spot.

Now, N.C. State's fate is back in its own hands. If the Pack can go to Tallahassee, Fla., this week and defeat Florida State for the third straight year, then come back and beat Maryland at home Nov. 22, the Pack will share the ACC title with the Noles.

The ACC's BCS bid will come down to a complicated tiebreaker that could very well send N.C. State to the first major bowl in school history.

Of course, beating Florida State and Maryland on back-to-back weekends still is a tall order, but the Pack's ACC title chances certainly are a lot more realistic today than they were a month -- even a week -- ago.

Duke's victory over Georgia Tech also was a boon to the Pack. The Yellow Jackets beat N.C. State on Oct. 4 in Atlanta and seemed positioned to bid for second-place in the ACC and the league's Gator or Peach bowl bids. The loss to the Blue Devils in Durham gives N.C. State a chance to clinch no worse than a share of second place in the ACC merely by beating Maryland in the Pack's finale.

Three weeks ago, six ACC teams were jumbled in the standings with two league losses each. Now, N.C. State and Maryland are the only teams with two ACC losses.

There could still be a second-place logjam with a bunch of teams at 5-3. But if that happens, the Wolfpack -- with a fan-base that proved last year that it will travel in big numbers and the TV attraction of Philip Rivers' last college game -- would be the most attractive bowl team of the bunch.

The Pack still has two more tough games to play. But the rewards are suddenly bright: an ACC title, maybe a BCS bid with two more wins; a second-place finish, a Gator or Peach bid with one more win.

Yes, it was a very good off-week.

NOTE

N.C. State officially is the ACC's hottest team. The Pack has won five straight games. Nobody else in the league has won two straight. ... Louisiana Tech quarterback Luke McCown used N.C. State's off-week to slip past Rivers on the NCAA career passing yardage and total offense list. McCown threw for 202 yards and two TDs in a rout of winless SMU and has 12,363 career yards passing (52 more than Rivers) and 12,389 yards total offense (57 more than Rivers). One of the two active quarterbacks should end up No. 2 on the NCAA's career list. Both have two regular-season games left -- but Rivers is assured of a bowl, while Louisiana Tech (fifth in the WAC) will have to scramble to get a bid

 

[ajoytoy]

Bye Nets Wolfpack Win
Despite off week, NC State jumps back in ACC race.


Nov. 10, 2003



Bye Nets Wolfpack Win

By Tony Haynes

Raleigh, N.C.--Commenting on having a bye last week, an NC State fan was overheard saying, "I like byes because it means we can't lose, but then again, we won't win either." The last part of that statement is now debatable. While it didn't officially pick up a 'W', the Wolfpack's first off week of the year turned into a goldmine of sorts. Of course, the biggest break for the Pack came when Florida State suffered its first conference loss of the year with a stunning 26-10 defeat at Clemson, an outcome that threw NC State (7-3. 4-2) right back into the race for the conference title.

The Wolfpack could also benefit from upset losses sustained by Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, a pair of teams that, heading into the weekend, figured to battle NC State for precious bowl invitations that will be up for grabs in a few weeks.

For now, however, the Pack is hoping to take advantage of the good fortune that plopped into its lap when the Seminoles fell to 6-1 in conference play with Saturday's loss in Death Valley. While the challenge is certainly enormous, NC State could still grab a share of its first ACC title since 1979 if it can find a way to beat Florida State and Maryland over the next two weeks. That's a light at the end of the tunnel that wasn't even flickering following a second league defeat at Georgia Tech back on October 4.





"You never give up hope," said Wolfpack linebacker Pat Thomas. "Even when we did lose three games, you never know what can happen. This year has been a crazy year so far. Duke beat Georgia Tech; I'm sure nobody thought that would happen. The tables have turned and luckily, it's been the best for us."

The Yellow Jackets' shocking defeat to the improving Blue Devils means that NC State and Maryland are now the only two clubs left with just two conference losses. Even that could change before the Wolfpack's game in Tallahassee next Saturday since the Terrapins will host Virginia on Thursday night.

The Florida State team NC State will face this week (3:30 kick off) will certainly be ready for some anger management counseling. Along with wanting to rebound from Saturday's loss at Clemson, the Seminoles really don't need to be reminded that they have dropped two in a row to the Wolfpack.

Two years ago, NC State became the first ACC team to win a conference game in Tallahassee when it downed the Noles 34-28. Instead of getting payback last season, FSU left Raleigh with a 17-7 defeat in a game that probably wasn't as close as the final score.

Even if the Seminoles are mad, it will take more than shear anger to intimidate a team that's had their number for the last few years.

"There's no fear," said Thomas, a third-year player from Miami. "A lot of guys on our team haven't lost to Florida State yet. A lot of other teams play Florida State and I guess because of the spear on their helmet, they get a little nervous. A lot of times that can affect another team, but I don't think that's like us at all."

Luck isn't the only thing that has brought NC State back in the thick of the race. Since dropping that game in Atlanta, the Wolfpack has taken care of business in its last three conference games. Overall, coach Chuck Amato's team has won four in a row and six of its last seven.

"I mentioned about seven weeks ago not to be surprised if the team that wins the ACC has one loss and who knows, maybe even two," Amato said. "I really think we have to get used to this. That's what parity is all about."

Amato, an 18-year assistant coach under Bobby Bowden at Florida State before taking over at NC State in 2000, has a pretty good idea about what the atmosphere will be like in Tallahassee this week.

"They're awfully upset at us and now they're awfully upset at whoever they would be playing this week, which is also us," Amato said. "They didn't need any more motivation to get ready for us. They'll be cranked up."

On Sunday, Bowden admitted that NC State has now become an FSU rival after what has happened the last two years. Normally, when one mentions the word rival and Florida State in the same sentence, Florida or Miami are the focus of the conversation.

"That's a compliment, especially coming from the winningest coach in NCAA football," Amato said. "Our rival is the University of North Carolina but there's nothing wrong with having more than one. They've got two - Miami and Florida."

Short Injury list: NC State reaped another benefit from its bye week: A much shorter injury list. The biggest question mark for Saturday's game will be receiver Richard Washington, who left the October 25th game at Duke with two cracked ribs.

Listed as questionable, Washington won't see any contact work at all this week.

"We won't know anything until Saturday night," Amato said. "He will not get touched in practice here. Ribs are a touchy thing, especially with a wide receiver who if the ball goes up there, you have to go get it. I'm hoping that I can try him, but a lot can happen between now and Saturday."

Of course, it would have been logical to assume that no one on the NC State team would benefit more from an off week than frequently injured tailback T.A. McLendon. But as luck would have it, the sophomore reported to the Murphy Center on Monday feeling run down by flu-like symptoms.

"The question of the weekend was 'what will keep him out?'" joked Amato. "We got an injury list this morning and on top of the list was T.A. McLendon. I said 'surely this is a joke.' He had flu symptoms and had a fever and everything else. If something can find his body it will. I'm hoping it's just a 24-hour thing."

Bowden Calls in: The importance of Saturday's contest apparently won't stop Bowden from making his annual appearance on Amato's weekly radio program, which will air Wednesday night from 8-9 p.m. on the Wolfpack Radio Network. Coach Bowden is scheduled to visit with Amato in the first half hour of the show.

Gametime Update: It may be another few days before we know the starting time for NC State's home game against Maryland on November 22. ABC will exercise its option to wait until possibly this weekend to choose the ACC game it will add to its regional package for that Saturday. The only certainty at this point is that the game will be played at either 12-noon on JP or ABC at 3:30

 

[ajoytoy]

added play:

NCSU ML +460 .....you never know

Pack has won last 2 and 3 of last 4

:moon:

 

[loophole]

agree with most of your acc plays, but i've got a feeling ga tech torches the heels.

 

[ajoytoy]

Opportunity knocks for Wolfpack




BY AL FEATHERSTON : The Herald-Sun
afeatherston@heraldsun.com
Nov 10, 2003 : 11:17 pm ET

RALEIGH -- Pat Thomas know what it meant when Clemson upset Florida State on Saturday night.

"We were watching it at a friend's house," N.C. State's junior linebacker said Monday. "Hopefully, everybody on the team had a big party."

Thomas and his teammates understood that the Tigers' victory gave the Wolfpack a chance to play for a share of the ACC title -- and a possible bid to a BCS bowl. N.C. State (8-3, 4-2 ACC) can catch FSU (8-2, 6-1) by winning its last two games, including Saturday's matchup with the Seminoles in Tallahassee, Fla.

"This really opens it up for us," he said. "You've got to have faith and you've got to have hope. At one point in our season, we were 3-3 and now we've won four straight games and we've really got our confidence back."

It's more than that, according to Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato. His team has more than confidence -- it's got a healthy T.A. McLendon to take some off the offensive heat off senior quarterback Philip Rivers.

"There's no telling where we'd be if he'd been healthy all season," Amato said.

McLendon, who has battled knee and hamstring injuries all week, came back against Virginia and flashed his old form, pounding the Cavaliers for 112 yards on the ground and 104 more yards on 11 pass receptions.

The sophomore tailback claims that he's 100 percent healthy after N.C. State's off-week ... or he will be 100 percent as soon as he overcomes the flu-like bug that hit him Sunday.

"I think we all needed a week off," McLendon said. "Ten straight games will put a lot of wear and tear on your body. You need time to recuperate. Our bodies needed a rest. I think [the break] really helped us out by just letting our bodies heal and let us do a lot more preparation for Florida State.

McLendon didn't watch Clemson beat FSU, but when he heard the final score, he knew immediately what it meant.

"We always set our standard as winning the ACC," he said. "We're still going for that goal."

Of course, in order for N.C. State to seize the opportunity presented them Clemson, the Pack will have to close out the season by winning Saturday at Florida State, then returning home the following week to beat Maryland.

Nobody at N.C. State expects that to be an easy task, starting with the trip to Tallahassee. Two straight Wolfpack wins in the series will give the Seminoles motivation they usually lack against ACC opponents.

"They're awfully upset at us," Amato said. "And now they're awfully upset at whoever they're going to play this week. That's us too.

"They didn't need any more motivation to get ready for us. They'll be cranked up."

But Amato's players vow to match FSU's emotion.

"We have so many Florida guys on the team," Thomas, a product of Miami's Killian High School, said. "Playing Florida State, that's sort of like our rival. It's always a big game, especially when we're playing down there. You have a lot of players who were recruited by Florida State ... or weren't and sort of want to get back at them for not recruiting them."

The Floridians on the Wolfpack team have made their point against the Noles. That could be a factor this year.

"Other teams, they play Florida State and just because of the spear on the helmet, they get kind of nervous," Thomas said. "A lot of guys on our team haven't lost to Florida State yet."

NOTES -- The only player on N.C. State's injury list (other than the players lost for the season) is freshman wide receiver Richard Washington, who still is questionable with cracked ribs. Amato said Washington won't have any contact in practice this week, but he's hoping to use him against FSU. ... ABC has exercised its annual five-day option that allows it to delay its choice on a starting time for the Nov. 15 N.C. State-Maryland game until as late as next Monday. Wolfpack officials say the game will either been a noon start for JP regional TV or a 3:30 p.m. ABC regional telecast. ... FSU leads the all-time series with N.C. State 16-7, although the Pack has won three of the last five meetings.




McLendons season not going as planned

11-11-03

By Tim Peeler Staff Writer
News & Record




RALEIGH -- T.A. McLendon wanted to avoid people this year. He wanted to gain yards and score touchdowns for N.C. State's football team without punishing himself -- or others -- the way he did as a freshman. But you can't change football instincts.

"I try not to take as much punishment," said McLendon, whose Wolfpack faces 13th-ranked Florida State in an ACC showdown Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla. "But it just happens. I try to run around people, but sometimes you just can't. They are in your way. You have to do what you do best: throw your shoulder into them, or whatever you do."

What McLendon does is knock people over. Which is how he hurt a shoulder last year. What he also does is break through the line of scrimmage and outrun the defense. Which is how he pulled a hamstring against Texas Tech. What he does is try to get over defenders. Which is how he broke a wrist last year.

McLendon also goes to class. Which is, oddly enough, how he injured a knee while getting into a car nearly a month ago. The knee injury required two arthroscopic surgeries before he was ready to play again. The sophomore tailback, who set the ACC scoring record for a freshman, just can't let go of those instincts.

"What can I change?" McLendon said. "I have to do what comes naturally."

So the Albemarle native has spent as much time this season hobbling on the sideline as he has playing for the Wolfpack (4-2 ACC, 7-3 overall). That changed when he made his spectacular return against Virginia on Nov. 1, gaining more than 100 yards rushing and more than 100 yards receiving and scoring the winning touchdown in the Wolfpack's 51-37 victory.

"It's been frustrating not to be out there all year," McLendon said. "But then it got to the point that I couldn't do too much about it. A pulled hamstring -- I can't make my body come back from that.

"Getting surgery, I can't make myself come back from that. They are just injuries I can't do anything about. If I had been hurt in my upper body, I think I would have played."

Now, after a full week's rest, McLendon has another worry: the flu-like symptoms he woke up with Sunday morning. He felt awful when he showed up for the Wolfpack's weekly news conference. But no one expects him to be hampered for Saturday's game at Florida State (6-1, 8-2)

"I got the injury report, like I always do on Monday, and expected it to be pretty short,'' said Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato. "But then I saw T.A.'s name at the top of the list, and I thought, 'Surely, this is a joke.' We are hoping this is just a 24-hour thing.''

McLendon says he's 100 percent healed from his knee and hamstring injuries, and he expects to be at full strength by Saturday.

As he showed against the Cavaliers, McLendon has a great impact on the Wolfpack's offensive versatility. His performance, which netted 216 yards rushing and receiving, made some fans wonder how good the Wolfpack might have been if McLendon hadn't missed any games this year because of injuries.

"I never look back," he said Wednesday. "I don't want to be a conceited person, saying if I was in there I could have done this or that. I just look at the future and see what I can do to help my team."

With McLendon healthy -- and the Wolfpack suddenly back in the race for its first ACC title in 24 years -- that future looks much brighter than it did before any of the injuries hampered the 2002 ACC Rookie of the Year

 

[ajoytoy]

Wolfpack QB Piling Up Career Records
Philip Rivers continues assault on record book.


Nov. 11, 2003


By ASSOCIATED PRESS

RALEIGH - Heisman Trophy voters who crossed Philip Rivers off their list after two early-season losses by North Carolina State may want to rethink his candidacy.

Rivers, one of the favorites coming into the season, has thrown for 3,318 yards and completed a remarkable 72.2 percent of his passes.

Behind Rivers, the Wolfpack (7-3) has won four straight and remains in contention for a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference title and a BCS bowl.

"It's pretty astonishing that he can do that," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said of Rivers' completion rate. "It's a feat because of the number of times they throw the ball."

"He needs to keep doing what he's doing and we have a chance - and so does he," added N.C. State coach Chuck Amato. "His numbers are outrageous, not only this year but over the last four years."





Rivers acknowledges he remains a dark horse behind Oklahoma's Jason White and several other candidates, but season-ending wins over Florida State and Maryland could get the QB back in the race.

"With three losses that hurts. That's been all the negative I hear about the whole thing," Rivers told The Associated Press. "I don't think I necessarily have to have some magical, crazy game, but winning against Florida State is important."

The Heisman voting can often be hard to handicap. Sometimes the best player on the best team wins, while other years a player gets major consideration for career stats.

If the latter is the case, Rivers should be in the mix. The 6-foot-5 senior is fifth in NCAA history with 12,311 passing yards and holds the ACC records for passing yards, total offense, TD responsibility, TD passes, attempts, completions and 300-yard games.

He's also the only QB in conference history to have three 3,000-yard passing season.

"Even when we had three losses and people were saying it was done, I just said to myself to keep playing," Rivers said. "I just want to say at the end I did all I could do and let it go from there."

Even if Rivers doesn't win, he would like an opportunity to be one of the five players invited to New York for the award ceremony.

"Just to get a chance to sit up there with the top-notch players in the country would be the utmost honor," Rivers said.

"I know White's the favorite and well deserving. His numbers are unbelievable and they are dominating as a team."

No matter what happens in the next two weeks, Rivers will be content with his stellar career.

"It's not an honor you expect," Rivers said of the Heisman. "There is no failure.

"There have been ups and downs, being at the top of the list early in the year and then off and now kind of back on," Rivers said. "I'm just going to let it all hang out to try to win these next two games. If (the Heisman) comes along with it, great, if not, that's great too."

Rivers is well within the single-season completion percentage record of 69.5 percent, set by Heisman winner Charlie Ward of Florida State in 1993.

"That's been a big deal for me," Rivers said. "That's something I've concentrated on, just being consistent. It's not the (record) that's the most recognizable, but it would mean a lot as long as this league has been around. It's attainable."

Few knew in August that Rivers started the season on a major downer. His wife had a miscarriage two weeks before the opener.

"That was an obstacle and I haven't had many," Rivers said. "I've had it pretty good. Most of the things have been great in my career, but that was kind of a different one.

"It was tough, but that was one of those things in life."

 

[pt1gard]

thanx anil

thanx anil

i think wolfpack should be a 7 pts dog, and I definistely see a ML wager as being well worth the risk ... IMO 30% chance nc st wins SU, thats not pessimism either, its cold facts in my brain computer

gl, gregg


ps praying for a 1 pt noles W

 

[THE WIZZARD]

GL THIS WEEK TOY.


WIZZ.

 

[ajoytoy]

Wolfpack redraws its line
Reshaped offensive line executing better down the stretch

By CHIP ALEXANDER, Staff Writer

RALEIGH -- N.C. State offensive guard Leroy Harris was excitedly describing a play against Virginia, his words tumbling out.
"They stunted," he said. "The D-line was coming hard up the field, and the D-end stunted in. I think it was a bozo stunt. Mike came around. Will was the first guy who came, so that's who I kicked out. T.A. did the rest. Six Paint." That's the way offensive linemen talk -- a language all their own. Harris was referring to T.A. McLendon's late 38-yard touchdown run in the Wolfpack's 51-37 victory on Nov. 1.

It was the kind of well-executed play the Wolfpack (7-3, 4-2 ACC) will need Saturday at 13th-ranked Florida State (8-2, 6-1). It was the kind of execution that often has been missing this season as State has shuffled its offensive line and struggled to establish a consistent running game.

The Pack has beaten the Seminoles the past two years. One reason: State could run on FSU. The Wolfpack rushed for 187 yards in 2001 in its 34-28 victory in Tallahassee, Fla., then for 226 a year ago in a 17-7 win at Carter-Finley Stadium.

McLendon had 114 yards on 27 carries last season, scoring on a 6-yard run. Backup tailback Josh Brown also made a key 60-yard dash down the sideline.

But despite a 26-10 loss Saturday at Clemson, the Seminoles are a stingier bunch this year -- 14th nationally in total defense and third in points allowed at 12.3 a game.

The Pack has averaged 435 yards in total offense but just 94.9 rushing the season while various leg injuries have hampered McLendon at times this season. NCSU was limited to 21 yards rushing in a triple-overtime loss at Ohio State. In a loss at Georgia Tech, with McLendon out, State finished in the red -- minus-8 yards.

"Ohio State was very good, but FSU has great athletes, all strong and fast," Wolfpack center Jed Paulsen said. "It's like the FSU defenses of old."

Facing the Seminoles will be an offensive line that is, as NCSU line coach Mike Barry put it, a "work in progress" -- even after 10 games. The group had to be reshuffled from the start.

The Pack had penciled in senior Chris Colmer and freshman Derek Morris as starters at tackle, with senior Sean Locklear and junior Ricky Fowler at guards and Paulsen, a junior, at center.

But Morris, who originally signed at Ohio State before coming to NCSU, drew an NCAA suspension -- one related to his near-enrollment at OSU, he said -- that kept him out of early-season games.

Colmer was sidelined with a rare nerve condition, Parsonage-Turner syndrome, that weakened his left arm and hand.

"Just like that," Paulsen said, snapping his fingers, "it all turned around."

Locklear was moved to right tackle. Sophomore John McKeon became the starting left tackle. Fowler went to right guard. Harris, a redshirt freshman who was used at center during spring drills, suddenly was starting at left guard.

"We were depending on Derek to come in and play, and on Chris," Locklear said. "But we knew before the season that Derek was going to be suspended a couple of games, and Chris became a day-to-day situation."

Colmer, a potential All-America candidate, hasn't played a down. Morris, slimmed down about 40 pounds to 328, finally moved into the starting lineup at right tackle for the past two games.

"Derek, coming in, we all knew he was big and could be intimidating," Paulsen said. "He came in a little immature, but his development has been great. He's dominating people now.

"I know most people expected him to be good from the start with his status as a big-time recruit. He's come a long way. He's in shape now, and it's unbelievable how much better he can move."

Paulsen had offseason knee surgery. He missed spring practice and was "rusty" early in the season.

"It took two or three games to get my punch back," he said.

NCSU coach Chuck Amato calls Locklear "a man for all positions." Against Virginia, he opened at right tackle, played right guard and left tackle, and also lined up at tight end.

The Pack, which has protected quarterback Philip Rivers well all season, did not allow a sack against Duke and Virginia.

With McLendon again missing, State rushed for 56 yards against the Blue Devils, but he was back against the Cavaliers, and the Pack showed better offensive balance.

"No. 44 makes a line look pretty good," Barry said of McLendon. "He makes a line coach look good. Having him in there makes us a complete team."

Harris, who played at Southeast Raleigh High, said he initially struggled with the footwork and demands of the guard position. Call him a quick learner. Harris had the line's best blocking grades against Wake Forest, UNC and Georgia Tech.

Then came the "Six Paint" play, on second-and-10 in the final minute of the Virginia game.

"A gutsy call," Paulsen said.

The kind of call coaches make when they're confident the offensive line can execute it.

A rough translation: Virginia, expecting the Pack to throw, came with a hard pass rush. A defensive end stunted, rushing inside while the middle linebacker -- "Mike" in football parlance -- came roaring in behind and around the end.

The weakside linebacker, "Will," was there when Harris pulled from his position at left guard. That was Virginia's Ahmad Brooks, whom Harris sealed with a brutal block.

That's why "Six Paint,"the Pack's draw/trap play, clicked.

Beaming like a proud papa, Barry, the offensive line coach, walked off the field next to Morris after the game.

"Derek was all jacked up about being able to run-block as well as pass-block," Barry said. "He did good. He's not a finished product, but he's coming along."

Just like the rest of the line.

 

[ajoytoy]

McLendon to play despite latest ailment
State runner has flu-like symptoms

By LORENZO PEREZ, Staff Writer


RALEIGH -- N.C. State tailback T.A. McLendon has been a familiar fixture on his team's injury list this season. But Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato thought someone was playing a bad joke when he saw the sophomore's name on the list again Monday morning.

McLendon, who has missed four games this season and parts of at least two others because of injuries, has been suffering from a fever and other flu-like symptoms.

"The question of the weekend was what would keep him out, and here we get this injury report," Amato said. "If something can find his body, it will. ... I'm hoping it's just a 24-hour thing."

McLendon's name was not listed on the official injury report released to the media Monday, and he is expected to play Saturday against Florida State.

Against Virginia on Nov. 1, McLendon ran for 112 yards and the game-winning touchdown and caught 11 passes for another 104 yards.

A subdued McLendon said Monday that he's not sure what has been keeping him under the weather the last few days. Whatever it is, he added, it won't keep him from rushing Saturday.

"I think I'm at 100 percent," McLendon said.

HANDS OFF THIS WIDEOUT: Wide receiver Richard Washington, who suffered cracked ribs during N.C. State's Oct. 25 win at Duke, was listed as questionable for Saturday's game.

Amato said he's still hoping that Washington could heal quickly enough to play, but he won't put Washington in harm's way before this weekend.

"We're not going to find that out until Saturday," Amato said when asked whether Washington's ribs could handle a tackle or any contact. "He will not get touched in practice here."

TERPS' TV TIME TBA: N.C. State won't know the kickoff time for its Nov. 22 regular-season finale against Maryland until after this weekend. It could be a noon kickoff if Jefferson-Pilot televises the game. If ABC chooses to broadcast it, however, the game would start at 3:30 p.m.





------------------------------------------------------






SCOUTS LOVE FLORIDA STATE

When Florida State plays a football game, NFL talent scouts turn out to watch -- for obvious reasons.

Thirty-seven former Seminoles were on NFL opening-day rosters this season -- two fewer than last season but still among the most in the nation. Florida and Notre Dame each had 39 to lead the 2003 count.

N.C. State had 13, including rookies Sean Berton (TE, Minnesota), Terrence Holt (DB, Detroit), Scott Kooistra (OT, Cincinnati) and Terrance Martin (DL, Houston).

So far in 2003, an average of seven NFL scouts has been at each Seminoles home game.

RECALLING THE 'NO' IN NOLES

N.C. State linebacker Pat Thomas, a junior from Miami, said some of the Wolfpack's many players from Florida have extra motivation to beat FSU.

"A lot of times you have players who were recruited by Florida State or weren't. It's sort of like you want to get back at them for not recruiting you," Thomas said. "I wasn't recruited by Florida State. I didn't want to go there. It doesn't bother me at all. I'm at a great university."