Week 4 (UNC @ NCSU)

[ajoytoy]

4-6 (-1.53 last week) :sadwave:

YTD: 14-18-2 (+0.53)

2 Unit Plays: 8-4

3 Unit Plays: 1-0

pool plays went 2-2

totala came out and maybe I am jumping the gun here, but taking the Rivalry game total now before it moves down

Heels/Pack Under 42 (-105)

be back later when the sidescome out :mj21:

 

[ajoytoy]

Leans:
Cali
OSU
GT/Va Tech Over 39.5
Purdue
Illinois
BC
Wake
WVU
NCSU (line has moved down a point...hope it get down to 7)
Washington
Oregon
LSU
Michigan and under 48.5
Navy
UNLV

 

[ageecee]

NCSU -10 O/U 42

 

[ajoytoy]

Amato has plenty to lose against UNC

By CAULTON TUDOR, Staff Writer

After 64 games as N.C. State's head football coach, Chuck Amato has reached the one he can't afford to lose.
It will be against North Carolina on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.

As popular as Amato always has been with his school's fans, a second straight loss to the Tar Heels would dump a ton of toxins into the chemistry between coach and customer. All harmony in the Wolf 'hood would be history.

It's not that a loss would -- or should -- put Amato in any direct danger of losing his job. Overall, he has a 40-24 record (20-21 ACC), including bowl wins over Notre Dame, Minnesota and Kansas. The overwhelming majority of those 24 losses have been close -- so close that a play or two would have reversed the outcome.

And no matter what happens against UNC, there will be eight games left this season. And the Wolfpack shouldn't be much of an underdog in any.

But for State's fans, it would take a wide world of winning to erase the impact of losing to this Heels team under these circumstances. It would be an afternoon that everyone associated with State, starting with Amato, would have trouble forgetting. Forgiveness might be completely out of the question for the next 12 months.

The pressure on Amato is rooted as much in UNC's problems as State's potential.

Through two games, both losses, Carolina has struggled against opponents and against itself, as expected.

Other than John Bunting and his players, almost no one expected very much from this team.

Against an intimidating schedule and with new starters in the most important offensive positions, the Heels were predicted to be among the two or three weakest teams in the ACC. That's exactly the course they are following so far.

Carolina will arrive Saturday without a legitimate star player. Although its offensive and defensive units have had isolated periods of success, there's still no proof the Heels can come close to stopping the run. And UNC's scoring average, 13 points per game, speaks for itself.

In an brave effort to overcome a laughable ground attack, new quarterback Matt Baker is playing on borrowed time in a foxhole. He's been sacked six times, hurried all the time and has thrown four interceptions.

That's how it's gone so far for UNC's overmatched blockers.

It's also why State's defense should enjoy a highlight-film performance Saturday. UNC's offensive line has faced above-average defenders, but has not dealt with the deep level of talent possessed by State's down lineman and linebackers.

But Amato's stake in this game goes beyond specific advantages. It goes back to a year ago in Chapel Hill.

Most State fans went into that game firmly convinced UNC was finally in their rear-view mirror. State was 3-1 and ranked 25th in the coaches' poll. The Heels were 2-3 and had lost those three by a combined 88 points.

The Heels' 30-24 win was more than a disappointment for State fans. It was a sudden reality check that morphed into a defining game for both sides. UNC finished the regular season 6-5; the Pack, 5-6. Since that game, the Pack's only wins have been against Maryland, East Carolina and Eastern Kentucky.

The perception quickly evaporated that Amato and his program had comfortably distanced itself from regional rivals. The Pack has done nothing since to replenish that previous image.

State has all of the ingredients to be a top-20 program. All that's missing are the wins; specifically, the big wins.

Beating UNC wouldn't qualify as a big national win, of course. It's entirely possible the Heels will venture into mid-November without a victory.

No, the issue for State this week is about dodging the downside. A win wouldn't turn heads, but a loss would, a lot faster than a year ago, when UNC was at home with Darian Durant at quarterback.

Another loss to Carolina would change the way many State fans see Amato. His popularity would take a hit that his personality alone couldn't hide. For the first time in his head-coaching career, Amato likely would hear the kind of booing Bunting knows all too well

 

[lowell]

just played a large 7 pt teaser with state at 2.5 and ohio state at pick. will probably play state at 2.5 in a few others. don't know if i like the under thought. state may score 42 by themself. duke is going to get a thrashing by virginia

 

[Dice34]

I like NC State in this spot.

UNC just hangs around as they did in the last 2 games and UNC QB is a competitor(his icon is Brett Favre)..but he took a beating against Wisky. NC State might have the best Dline in the country. They will stuff the run and put pressure on Baker all day and force mistakes.

 

[ajoytoy]

Wolfpack Not Looking Back

With UNC coming to town, NC State not looking back to last year's controversial loss to Heels.


Sept. 19, 2005

By Tony Haynes

Raleigh, N.C. - If you run into NC State football coach Chuck Amato this week, don't bother asking him about last year's game against arch rival North Carolina. As far as he's concerned, what's done is done. As much as they tried during Amato's weekly press conference on Monday, eager reporters were unable to get the Pack's sixth year head coach to talk about last year's controversial ending in Chapel Hill. It will be a new season and two new teams when the longtime rivals square off for the 95th time this Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kick off is set for 12:09 p.m.

"Last year is over," Amato replied when asked about the 94th game between NC State and UNC.

When prodded again, Amato said "I'm going to talk in Italian; maybe you'll understand it. I'm not going to change my answer."

So much for rehashing North Carolina's bizarre 30-24 triumph at Kenan Stadium.

Of course, neither Amato, nor his players, nor Wolfpack supporters will soon forget the final seconds of a game that the Pack appeared to have tied in the late going when running back T.A. McLendon stretched the football across the goal line at the end of a one-yard run. The head linesman ruled touchdown and held his hands above his head for more than 10 seconds as NC State's players celebrated. The line judge - stationed directly across the field - came in late and contended T.A. McLendon's knee had touched the ground before the ball crossed the plane of the goal line. It was then up to referee Jim Knight to determine which member of his crew was right. Knight eventually ruled in favor of the line judge and North Carolina.

On the very next play, the last of the game, McLendon was hit in the backfield and fumbled. It was certainly one of the most confusing - if not memorable - endings in a series that has produced more than its share of heart stopping moments.





As it turned out, the ruling at the end of the game was ultimately a turning point for both teams. While North Carolina went on to post a 6-5 record and earn a spot in the Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte, the Wolfpack would sputter down the stretch in route to the first losing mark (5-6) in Amato's five-year tenure at the school.

"It hurt the same as any other loss does," NC State center Leroy Harris said when asked about last year's contest. "We hate losing like any other competitive person does."

Was T.A. in or out?

"That was last year. It doesn't matter," Harris said.

Like Harris and his head coach, NC State defensive end Manny Lawson says nothing productive can come from dwelling on something that happened nearly 12 months ago.

"Every loss is a tough loss to get over," Lawson said. "Despite what happened last year, last year is last year. We're looking forward to this year and getting where we want to be, and that's ACC champions."

If NC State (1-1) is going to have any chance of staying in contention for an appearance in the first ever ACC title game, it can't afford many more slip ups in league play. After sustaining a tough, hard-fought 20-16 loss to Virginia Tech in its opener, the Pack is already down one game in the conference.

North Carolina, of course, will be licking its chops when it buses over to Raleigh on Saturday. Despite doing a lot of good things, the Tar Heels are 0-2 after dropping games to a pair of nationally ranked opponents in Georgia Tech and Wisconsin.

Like NC State, Carolina needs a win badly.

"We're two different teams [this year]," Harris said. "They're a different team heading in a different direction and we're a different team heading in a different direction. We've got to prepare for this year's game."

In other words, Harris doesn't expect there to be a lot of conversation about what happened last season. This is, after all, a match-up between two bitter rivals. Special motivational ploys that involve revenge are probably not necessary.

"It can be a source of motivation, but if you need that to be a source of motivation then you shouldn't play in this game," Lawson said. "With this being your rival school in North Carolina - that powder blue - that should be motivation enough."

Wolfpack Injury Report: Senior receiver Brian Clark, who sat out Saturday's 54-10 victory over Eastern Kentucky with a sprained ankle, is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest. Also questionable is back-up linebacker Marcus Howell (AC sprain). Starting right guard Dwayne Herndon, who left last weekend's game with a stinger in his shoulder, is listed as day-to-day. Derek Morris also suffered a shoulder injury after only five plays against Eastern Kentucky, but Amato said the big right tackle should be ready to go against the Tar Heels.

 

[ajoytoy]

Heels losing ground

By A.J. CARR, Staff Writer

CHAPEL HILL -- After carrying the ball 51 times in two games, North Carolina's running backs have gained lots of bumps and bruises but not many yards.
While the Tar Heels (0-2) rank second in the ACC with 280.4 passing yards per game, they are last in rushing with an average of just 59.0.

UNC head coach John Bunting, who revels in running the ball, wants more balance at a school that has produced numerous 1,000-yard backs. But that may be hard to achieve Saturday against N.C. State's imposing defense.

"We've got two new running backs," Bunting said of freshman James "Cooter" Arnold and sophomore transfer Barrington Edwards. "What we haven't gotten consistently from the backs is where to take the ball, the path of the ball, the design of the play, the potential cutbacks or breakouts we got sometimes [last year] from a Jacque [Lewis] or a Chad [Scott]."

In losses against blitzing Georgia Tech and bullish Wisconsin, Edwards has netted 59 yards on 18 carries for a 3.3 average. Arnold has gained 46 on 16 attempts for a 2.9 average.

Offensive line coach Hal Hunter was quick to point out that several factors influence the success of a team's running game.

"The runner, the blocker and how many guys a defense puts in the box [to stop the run]," said Hunter, who saw Wisconsin load the so-called box with eight or nine players near the line of scrimmage.

"There are a lot of different reasons," Hunter said of UNC's rushing difficulties. "The offensive line is part of the reason but not all the reason."

Running backs coach Andre Powell said both Edwards and Arnold are physical enough and running hard enough but are making "young mistakes." When they get outside, Powell is exhorting them to use their speed to dash upfield rather than cutting back behind pursuing tacklers.

"In high school, you can cut back and make a big play," Powell said. "Here, you've got to go."

He's also urging Edwards and Arnold to shake and bake more against unblocked defenders in the secondary to pick up extra yardage. Last season, when Scott, Lewis and Madison Hedgecock met a would-be tackler one-on-one, they gained an extra 4 yards more than 85 percent of the time, Powell said.

"I think the [line blocking] has been pretty solid," Powell said. "I'm going to put it on my backs, on me, to get it right. We've got to make plays. We've got to get to the point when there's nowhere to go, we've got to make a guy miss, run low, maneuver -- and those are things you don't coach."

Against Wisconsin, Edwards made four tacklers miss and broke one tackle. The darting Arnold left one defender clawing at empty air but didn't break any tackles.

"They are going to learn with experience," Powell said.

Meanwhile, Powell said, Carolina has few options. Standout tailback Ronnie McGill has been sidelined by a torn pectoral muscle, and his return date remains uncertain. Lewis and Scott played their final seasons last year.

The third option this season is fullback Rikki Cook, who has carried the ball once this year and not at all in 2003 or 2004.

That leaves Arnold and Edwards.

Arnold said he's concentrating on "running harder," breaking tackles and making the right reads on blocks in practice.

"The first two games, some things we haven't picked up," Edwards said. "But we feel we are coming along. A lot of people might be doubting, but we've played two good defenses. I think we made a big improvement against Wisconsin. We had a lot of penalties."

McGill has been watching, and has his own thoughts on UNC's running struggles.

"We have a new quarterback, a new center, new running backs," he said. "Everybody's still trying to get that bond, still trying to feel each other out."

McGill added that Edwards and Arnold don't always pick up the defensive keys before the ball is snapped. As a result, McGill explained, the timing is off, and "sometimes they get to the hole too fast or too slow."

At its current pace, UNC is on its way to its lowest rushing average since the 1944 Tar Heels ran for 48.8 yards per game.

But Bunting, who said "we have the makings of a potent offense," has good reason to want to see the running game emerge Saturday.

Of the last 13 games between UNC and N.C. State, the team that gained the most yards rushing has won 12.

 

[ajoytoy]

There was a State guy sitting at a bar with several attractive women around him. A guy from Carolina was at the opposite end of the bar all by himself watching all this activity wondering why he couldn't score with women. The Carolina guy finally went over and asked the guy from State " how do you get all these women?" The State guy said "just be yourself and start talking to some of them and let nature take its course". The guy from Carolina got up enough nerve to go over to one of the women and strike up a conversation. After awhile, things were really going great and he asked the woman "do you want to go back to my place?" she said "sure, but I need to tell you something... I'm on my menstrual cycle" he said "that's ok , I'm on my moped just follow me!"

 

[ajoytoy]

Dascenzo: UNC-NCSU should save the best for last



By FRANK DASCENZO : The Herald-Sun
fdascenzo@heraldsun.com
Sep 20, 2005 : 12:56 am ET

RALEIGH -- N.C. State hosts North Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium -- it's too early for one of these.

Shove this rivalry into late November. Make all those Wolfpack Clubbers and Rams Clubbers wait for the most anticipated rivalry of their lifetimes.

N.C. State could go 1-10 and it'd be all right if that numero uno was a win over you-know-who in light blue.

N.C. State could shut out Michigan in the Big House, but with a loss to UNC a Wolfpack fan couldn't call it a good season.

N.C. State could win the ACC championship, like it last did in 1979, the same year it lost at home to UNC 35-21. North Carolina beat Michigan in the Gator Bowl that year -- guess who didn't play in a bowl game.

There's no stare more glaring, more demanding, than a Wolfpack football fan having a cold one with a Tar Heel football fan and discussing last year's 30-24 UNC win at Kenan Stadium. The Heels outscored the Wolfpack 17-8 in the fourth quarter. If I had a dollar for every time a Wolfpack fan told me T.A. McLendon had scored with six seconds left, I could put a good down payment on a Rolex.

There's ecstasy and agony in this rivalry. N.C. State had 30 first downs to UNC's 14 in last season's meeting, had the ball for 33:18 to UNC's 26:42 and outgained the Heels 577 to 356 and still lost.

The pain for N.C. State has lasted nearly a year, too.

Sorry Duke, I know all about that tradition that goes along with the final game of the season being between light blue and royal blue. Duke-UNC these days might be a good opening game but it's not the storied football rivalry it was once upon a time.

That played beautifully when Mike McGee and Bill Dooley had a quick handshake in the 1970s and when Don McCauley was in UNC's backfield and when Wes Chesson scored on the shoestring play. And by the way, legend has it Wallace Wade didn't like to speak Charlie Justice's name.

The truth is, the perfect UNC-Duke rivalry these days is in basketball, and the ACC always saves that regular-season meeting until the beginning of February and the beginning of March after each team has played everybody else in the league and levels of curiosity about who will draw the first blood go beyond the roof.

It's downright hideous to have UNC-N.C. State play this early in football. Would Michigan play Ohio State in September? Would Virginia and Virginia Tech open a season instead of playing in late November?

Put UNC-N.C. State as the last game of the season and the rivalry might grow to the standards of Michigan-Ohio State, Clemson-South Carolina and Florida-Florida State.

In the Triangle there's no bigger sports event than a Duke-UNC basketball game. It's nearly like that in a UNC-N.C. State football game. So, why not save it for November?

We're missing out on it around here. We're getting the juiciest game of the year on the fourth Saturday in September when it's still scorching, still humid and still baseball season.

Whatever happened to saving the best things for last?

N.C. State's going to end its regular season at home with Maryland and UNC is at Virginia Tech. Both games are on Nov. 26. That's when UNC and N.C. State should be playing. The air would be cool, the leaves would be red and yellow -- and so what if basketball is starting up?

Is there any need to ask what's a better football rivalry -- Duke-UNC or N.C. State-UNC?

 

[ajoytoy]

Bunting: QB is 'tougher than nails,' but equipment change should help



By NOLAN HAYES : The Herald-Sun
nhayes@heraldsun.com
Sep 21, 2005 : 12:45 am ET

CHAPEL HILL -- As he does each week, John Bunting ate dinner with his captains Monday night.

The North Carolina football coach especially enjoyed the demeanor of one of the players at the table, quarterback Matt Baker. Bunting needled Baker about putting him in some armor, referencing the many hard hits Baker took in UNC's 14-5 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday.

"He's tougher than nails," Bunting said. "There was a big smile on his face yesterday. He's anxious to get back into the thick."

Baker, a fifth-year senior, has im-pressed coaches and teammates with his competitiveness in his first season as UNC's starter. He wants to be on the field for every offensive play, something he technically achieved Saturday despite being knocked out of the game.

Baker took a vicious shot from Wisconsin's pass rush after completing an 18-yard toss to Jesse Holley on third and 13 in the third quarter. Baker couldn't catch his breath after the play and had to go to the sidelines.

"I thought the season was going to end," senior wide receiver Wallace Wright said. "He definitely is the leader of this offense. If he goes down, then we're definitely ? I don't know what's going to happen. I don't even want to think about that at this point. But he just can't go down."

Backup quarterback Joey Bozich, a redshirt freshman playing in his first college game, handed off to Cooter Arnold on UNC's next snap. But the play was wiped away because of a clipping penalty. Baker then returned to the game, sore ribs and all.

"He was hurting," Wright said. "You could look at his face and see his face in the huddle and tell that he was definitely hurt. But it makes us feel good that he stuck in there and came back."

Baker also will come back this week. He practiced Tuesday and will start Saturday, albeit with a slight alteration to his uniform.

The armor Bunting was joking about at dinner? As it turns out, he was half-joking. Baker will wear a new flak jacket against N.C. State, a cushioning device that Bunting hopes will give his quarterback's ribs more protection.

"He had one, and I think we've got a new one coming for him," Bunting said of the protective device. "We're getting him a better one."

Justice to have surgery

Fifth-year senior middle linebacker Doug Justice, who was lost for the season when he broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot against Wisconsin, will have surgery Friday.

Justice made 205 tackles during his UNC career and forced a key fumble against the Badgers, but the Tar Heels will miss more from him than his on-field production.

"That's a huge loss, as far as coaching on the field and emotional leadership and leadership at practice," senior defensive tackle Chase Page said. "He's one of the guys at practice who when it's a dog day, it's Tuesday, we're midway through practice, everybody's a little bit tired and the coaches are yelling at you, he kind of calms everybody down and says, 'OK, guys. Focus. We've got this one team period left and just do your assignments.'

"He kind of just gets everybody back on the same page, and we're going to miss that."

That was then

Just as N.C. State coach Chuck Amato declined to recount the agony of his team's 30-24 loss to UNC last season, Bunting wasn't interested in reminiscing about the victory.

"That team is over," Bunting said of his 2004 squad. "This team is what's important right now to me. To go back and do that again, I'm not sure exactly what that would do except to remind people what I've already said about it. It was a very exciting time. It was great to beat N.C. State right here on our home turf, but that was a long time ago."

Green piece

Wide receiver Mike Mason, who sprained his shoulder against Wisconsin, and center Ben Lemming, who missed the Wisconsin game with a shoulder injury, were in green (limited contact) jerseys at practice Tuesday. Both players are probable for Saturday's game.

Tailback Ronnie McGill, who is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle, began his second week of practice in a green jersey. McGill's status has not changed, meaning he will not play before UNC's open week of Oct. 15 and still might redshirt the season.

 

[ajoytoy]

N.C. State enjoying success on offense and defense so far
09/21/2005
By KEITH PARSONS
AP Sports Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - How good is North Carolina State's offense? Even defensive end Manny Lawson is impressed.

In the spring, he got in trouble for pointing out how little help he and the Wolfpack defense got from the other side of the ball. His good-natured comment included the slogan, ``Defense, we're all we got.''

Lawson can't make the same complaint now.

``Our offense has come a long way,'' he said Monday. ``I'm sitting on the bench and I'm breathing, instead of running back out on the field. I have time to sit down and rest, sip some Gatorade.''

Through two games, N.C. State (1-1) leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in total offense with about 457 yards a game. That includes the top passing game, as well, as quarterback Jay Davis has matured in his second season as a starter.

A talented group of tailbacks has given the Wolfpack the type of balance coaches love. Freshman Toney Baker gained 85 yards on only six carries in a lopsided victory over Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky, and he's one of five players with at least eight attempts.

Baker had one run in particular that stood out in the 54-10 rout when he ran 32 yards in the first quarter for one of his two touchdowns, barely slowing down as he plowed over safety Carl Hayden.

``That's going to be on my highlight film,'' Lawson quipped.

He wasn't surprised, however. During a scrimmage in preseason practice, Lawson thought he had a sure tackle of Baker, going so far as to wrestle him to the ground. But it turns out Baker was long gone, leaving Lawson grabbing on top of one of the offensive lineman.

It was Baker's first start after being listed fourth on the depth chart earlier in the season, and this week, he's back down to at least second, joining Reggie Davis and Bobby Washington as reserves behind Darrell Blackman.

``It's a shame you have to pick, because they're all going to play,'' coach Chuck Amato said. ``It's been a real good competition with all of them. It's a great thing to have.''

And the defense still is one of the best in the country. After leading Division I-A a year ago, the Wolfpack is seventh after two games, allowing an average of 230 yards. They have a total of five sacks and forced five turnovers against the Colonels, all while winning the time of possession battle in both games.

Lawson, never one to shy away from predictions, thinks he and his teammates can get much better.

``How good can we be? The best defense you will ever see, or ever hear about,'' he said.

It was pretty good in an opening loss to Virginia Tech, too. The Hokies, with new quarterback Marcus Vick, gained only 232 yards to N.C. State's 438, continuing a pattern that began a year ago.

In all 11 games in 2004 _ and both this season - the Wolfpack had more yards than their opponents.

 

[Ratslla]

Thanks and good luck this weekendmy friend!

 

[saint]

State will win this game IMO. The under is a good play, carolina has had a lot of trouble moving the ball and state's defense has looked pretty good up to this point. My parents are coming into town to check out the carolina inn for the wedding and rehearsal dinner places, so not sure if i can make it out to raleigh. Tell anthony I'm sorry to have missed him if you talk to him.

Speaking of which...can you think of any nice restaurants in Raleigh that can accomodate 80 for a rehearsal dinner? We've tried to find it in Chapel Hill but haven't found what we are looking for.

Good luck bud (in your bet, not the outcome ) :mj14:

 

[ajoytoy]

State will win this game IMO. The under is a good play, carolina has had a lot of trouble moving the ball and state's defense has looked pretty good up to this point. My parents are coming into town to check out the carolina inn for the wedding and rehearsal dinner places, so not sure if i can make it out to raleigh. Tell anthony I'm sorry to have missed him if you talk to him.

Speaking of which...can you think of any nice restaurants in Raleigh that can accomodate 80 for a rehearsal dinner? We've tried to find it in Chapel Hill but haven't found what we are looking for.

Good luck bud (in your bet, not the outcome ) :mj14:

game SHOULD stay under...hopefully pack wins, but dont know if they can cover DD...will probably tease it down

get my email and i can probably give you a few places you could have rehearsel dinner

few nice places in downtown that we have gone for rehearsal dinners...just depends on type of food you want served

gl to your Heels this weekend :mj14:

 

[AR182]

toy,

thanks for the info...

that under bet is an interesting bet...i'll have to look into it.

good luck.

 

[ajoytoy]

toy,

thanks for the info...

that under bet is an interesting bet...i'll have to look into it.

good luck.

up to 43.5 now :shrug:

guess Im on the wrong side :banghead:

sticking with the under though :nutkick

 

[ajoytoy]

Pack's recruiting coup
Baker had N.C. State, UNC on his list of finalists last year


By LORENZO PEREZ, Staff Writer

RALEIGH -- North Carolina coach John Bunting did not confess to any jealousy pangs while watching film of N.C. State freshman running back Toney Baker tearing through Eastern Kentucky on Saturday.
No doubt he would have welcomed the Parade All-America player from Jamestown Ragsdale to bolster a Tar Heels rushing attack that currently ranks last in the ACC, but Bunting declined to speculate Tuesday on how close UNC came to snaring Baker.

The all-time leading rusher in North Carolina high school football, Baker had narrowed his list of schools to State, UNC, Tennessee, Virginia and Virginia Tech before announcing his allegiance to the Wolfpack Jan. 15.

"How close were we to getting him? You'll have to ask him that question," Bunting said Tuesday. "Let me tell you something: When it comes to recruiting, you never really know until the end."

By selecting State, Baker chose to battle for playing time in a backfield that includes three other prep All-America runners: sophomores Darrell Blackman and Bobby Washington and fellow freshman Andre Brown.

"I think it was a good decision," Baker said Wednesday, shrugging off the appeal of going to school somewhere else with less competition in the backfield. "To be honest with you, I didn't base my decision on what back is there, what back is not there. I just figured I'd come in here and compete and work hard. All this competition, that's just going to make us all better."

Two games into his freshman season, Baker already has carved out a significant share of playing time, including the starting role against Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky.

In one quarter of play, the 5-foot-10, 218-pound tailback scored three touchdowns and rushed for 85 yards on six carries as NCSU won, 54-10.

The early returns on Baker have been glowing, and State coach Chuck Amato was in a joking mood when asked to recount his recruiting coup.

"Somebody must be a [heck] of a recruiter," Amato said when asked how State persuaded Baker to join a stocked stable of running backs. "You know what it shows? That those kids are not afraid to compete. They don't care who you have at the school. [They say] 'I'm going to go there, and I'm going to take that job from him. He needs to worry about me. I'm not going to worry about him.' "

North Carolina's options at running back this season, on the other hand, have been limited to sophomore transfer Barrington Edwards and freshman James "Cooter" Arnold, thanks to a preseason injury suffered by standout Ronnie McGill.

Ragsdale coach Tommy Norwood recalled a January visit to Jamestown by a delegation of four UNC assistant coaches, shortly before Baker's departure to San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. By that point, however, the Tar Heels had faded from the running, Baker said Wednesday.

"They brought just about everybody out there," Baker said of North Carolina's recruiting effort. "I started losing the feeling a little bit as the process went on. ... I don't know, I just didn't feel it there."

His early hunches led him to State, to which he had made frequent, informal visits before taking an official visit to Raleigh in December. State was the only school that Baker officially visited, although he attended numerous games there and at the other four schools on his list on informal trips with his father.

(The elder Toney Baker played at East Carolina and then professionally with the Cleveland Browns before serving as his son's football mentor.)

During his official visit at State, Wolfpack defensive tackle DeMario Pressley, then a freshman, served as Baker's host. A graduate of Greensboro Dudley High School, Pressley already knew Baker from his own recruiting process. The two bumped into each other frequently during unofficial visits to State and North Carolina, Pressley said.

They are roommates this year.

"I don't really know what sold him [on State]," Pressley said. "But I had told him how stable this team was, this program."

Baker recalled how State coaches wrote him letters every week, boosting his comfort level.

"I felt good every time I came to Raleigh. I just felt comfortable with everything, and it felt like home to me," he said.

As his comfort grows, say with another standout performance Saturday in State's matchup against North Carolina, the discomfort on the opposite sideline may also climb.

 

[ajoytoy]

Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: North Carolina

Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: North Carolina

Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: North Carolina
Tar Heels and Wolfpack clash Saturday at noon.


Sept. 22, 2005

NC STATE (1-1, 0-1) vs. NORTH CAROLINA (0-2, 0-1)

DATE: Saturday, September 24, 2005

TIME: Kickoff: 12:09 p.m. (EDT) Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC (57,500)

RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network: 11:00 a.m. (EDT)

TELEVISION: Jefferson-Pilot ACC Network

OPPONENT---- Wisconsin's Brian Calhoun ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns in a hard fought 14-5 victory over North Carolina on Saturday night at Kenan Stadium.

The game was marked by solid defense and plenty of penalties. After scoring 121 points and averaging 325 rushing yards in its first two games, Wisconsin (3-0) found the going tough against an improved Tar Heels defense that surrendered only two touchdowns and 166 net yards on the ground.

Calhoun, a transfer from Colorado, was a work horse, carrying the ball 38 times. His best efforts came on back-to-back plays in a scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter. The pair of runs gained 40 yards and set up Calhoun's final touchdown on a 4-yard blast. That score gave the Badgers a 14-3 lead and put the game out of reach.

Carolina tried to stage a comeback, driving to the Badgers 4-yard line in the final two minutes before Matt Baker's threw an incomplete pass on fourth down. The game's final score came on the last play when Wisconsin punter Ken DeBauche stepped out of the end zone for a safety to run out the clock.

The Tar Heels outgained Wisconsin 338-304, but could not overcome the lack of a ground attack and poor pass protection. North Carolina had only 57 rushing yards, four less than it tallied a week earlier in a 6-point loss to Georgia Tech. Barrington Edwards, a transfer from LSU, was Carolina's leading rusher with only 37 yards.

Baker finished 16-for-37 for 281 yards and an interception, but was sacked four times and wound up on the ground following many of his pass attempts. By the end of the game Baker was limping with a sore ankle and sore ribs.





Penalties were a major problem. The Tar Heels finished with 12 infractions for 115 yards, including two on the same play when Wisconsin punted on its first possession. A block in the back and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on head coach John Bunting set North Carolina back on its own 5-yard line. That helped the Badgers get an early edge in field position.

Later, a delay of game penalty nullified a Connor Barth 52-yard field goal that would have cut the deficit to 7-3 early in the second quarter. Instead, the Heels were forced to punt. Another costly penalty for offensive pass interference late in the first half wiped out a 24-yard Carolina gain to the Wisconsin 35.

North Carolina's tailbacks, Edwards and freshman James Arnold, gained only 20-yards combined against the Badgers on first down plays. That left Baker facing second-and-long situations and feeling the heat of Wisconsin's pass rush all night. In two games, Baker has been sacked 6 times and has had to hurry many of his passes. He's been intercepted four times while completing 45 percent of his throws and averaging 281 passing yards a game.

Baker is in his first year as a starter after spending the last three seasons behind Darian Durant. The fifth-year senior is a fearless competitor who has shown a lot of grit, but could use more help from a veteran offensive line that returns four starters, including senior guard, Kyle Ralph, an All-ACC second-team selection last season.

Carolina has speedy veteran wide receivers with big play capability, but that unit has not been able to bail the Heels out of enough long yardage situations. Instead, there have been many dropped passes in Carolina's first two outings. Against Wisconsin, Derrele Mitchell, Wallace Wright and Jesse Holley all let passes slip through their hands.

Mitchell (6-3, 210), Wright and Jawarski Pollock (45 catches in '04) are all seniors. Holley (the Heels leading receiver with 9 catches for 142 yards) and Mike Mason are juniors. Holley had a career-high 90 receiving yards on five catches against Wisconsin. Pollock is 13 receptions shy of the UNC career record. Mitchell caught an 87-yard TD pass at Georgia Tech.

The Tar Heels defense looks vastly improved from last season. Nine starters are back, not including tackle Chase Page who started every game in 2003. Page anchors a veteran line that also features end, Tommy Davis who has 24 career starts.

Middle linebacker, Doug Justice, broke his foot against Wisconsin and will probably miss the rest of the season. Justice was responsible for making the on-field defensive calls and started 22 career games. Junior Victor Worsley (6-1, 230) will likely replace the fifth-year senior. Sophomore Durell Mapp could see playing time at that position as well. The Heels leading tackler is senior outside linebacker, Tommy Richardson (17 stops), a second-year starter.

Both corners, Jacoby Watkins (6-0, 177, Jr.) and Cedrick Holt (5-11, 190, Sr.) are second-year starters. Holt is the Tar Heels best cover man. Free safety Kareen Taylor (6-0, 195, Jr.), another second-year starter, is Carolina's No. 2 tackler (16 stops) while Mahlon Carey (6-2, 215, Sr.) was switched back to strong safety after starting four games at linebacker in 2004.

The Tar Heels have a dangerous return game. Mason is one of the nation's best at returning kicks and is averaging 25.5 yards this season. Against Maryland in 2003, he ran a kickoff back 96-yards for a TD. Brandon Tate, a true freshman, has returned 9 punts this season for a 9-yard average.

Junior David Wooldridge (6-2, 200, Jr.) has been Carolina punter since the last five games of the 2003 season. He's steady and is averaging 43.2 yards per attempt this year. Barth, an All-ACC candidate who made 14 of his 18 field goal attempts in 2004, is 1-2 this season after missing a 50-yarder against Wisconsin. Warren Green, Carolina's snapper, is a senior and a first-year starter.

NOTES: Wolfpack quarterback, Jay Davis, has passed for 200 or more yards in 9 of his last 10 games totaling of 2,318 yards and 12 touchdowns during that span...Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato is 3-2 against North Carolina and 1-1 at home...No opponent has gained 300 yards against the NC State defense for six straight games...NC State leads the ACC in total offense (457 ypg.) and is No. 2 in total defense (230 ypg.)....A victory over UNC would mark the Pack's 150th overall win at Carter-Finley Stadium...The Wolfpack won the turnover margin against Eastern Kentucky last week for the first time in a dozen games... In 64 games under Chuck Amato, the Wolfpack has entered the fourth quarter with the score differing by seven points or less 31 times...The Pack is seeking its first ACC home win since beating Wake Forest on Oct. 2, 2004....In two games, Pack linebacker Stephen Tulloch is averaging 10.5 tackles per game and has three tackles for loss including a sack.

INJURIES--NC State: WR Brian Clark (ankle sprain)-questionable; OG Dwayne Herndon (Shoulder stinger)-day-to-day; CB Phillip Holloman (ankle sprain)-probable; LB Marcus Howell (AC sprain)-questionable. North Carolina: LB Doug Justice (broken foot)-out; QB Matt Baker (Bruised ribs)-will play; WR Mike Mason (shoulder sprain)-probable; C Ben Lemming (shoulder)-probable; RB Ronnie McGill-(torn muscle)-out.

 

[Irish]

GL Toy
Like the packs defense in that game.

Cheers
Irish