North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack and Tar Heels Clash in Charlotte
11/10/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Thursday, November 11
Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte (72,450)
Radio: Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network, airtime 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
By Tony Haynes
Maybe it will dawn on them when they hear that silly fight song played over and over again. Perhaps it will hit them when they see those light blue jerseys. But more than likely, NC State's football players already know why they want to beat North Carolina so badly.
The Wolfpack will be looking to snap a six game losing streak to the Tar Heels when the two long time backyard rivals clash for the 89th time on Thursday night.
As was the case last season, this year's game will be played at the home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers, Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte.
Though they have experienced the thrill of an upset victory over powerful Florida State in their careers, NC State's seniors have never known what it's like to beat Carolina. This will be their best and last chance.
"A win over Carolina would certainly take a lot off my shoulders," said cornerback Tony Scott. "Whenever I go home, there are lots and lots of Carolina fans. It would take a load off this team and this university to finally beat these guys."
The Pack came close last year before falling in an overtime thriller. Both clubs eventually appeared in post-season bowl games. That won't be the case this time around.
While NC State needs just one more win to qualify for a bowl game, UNC's post-season fate has already been decided. This will mark the first time since 1991 that Carolina hasn't gone bowling. Prior to last weekend's loss to Wake Forest, the Tar Heels had won 19-straight games against in-state opposition.
While he refuses to use injuries as an excuse for his teams demise this season, North Carolina head coach Carl Torbush has every right to cite the loss of key players to injury-especially starting quarterback Ronald Curry (ruptured achilles) and star linebacker Brandon Spoon (torn bicep tendon).
"It's really unfortunate for them," said NC State coach Mike O'Cain. "Even though they are your rival and you don't always want the best things for them, you have to have some empathy for what they're going through at the quarterback position. If there's one place on your team where you've got to have someone who can make something happen, it's at quarterback. When you've got a guy there who doesn't even know how to line up under center, it's hard to be successful."
After Curry went down in the Georgia Tech game on October 9th, Torbush turned the quarterbacking duties over to redshirt freshman Luke Huard. Just when the situation didn't seem as if it could get much worse, it did. Huard injured his throwing shoulder meaning UNC's offensive coaches had to turn to their third option-safety Antwon Black.
Murphy's law really kicked in when Black was diagnosed with a season ending case of mononucleosis. Next in line was running back Domonique Williams.
If he's healthy enough to play, Huard will get the start on Thursday night. But Williams, who has taken snaps in the last two games, will be ready if needed. Williams is 6 for 12 passing for 78-yards with no interceptions and no touchdowns.
"I'm very surprised (that Carolina is 1-8) because they have a lot of talent," said Wolfpack wide receiver Chris Coleman. "But their secondary isn't as strong as it's been in the past, their defensive front isn't as fast as has been in the past and they lost a key linebacker in Brandon Spoon. I'm very surprised to see them with the record they have, but no one can be on top forever."
Jamie Barnette is happy to hear that the Tar Heels aren't quite as strong on defense as they've been in recent years. Along with hitting just 38% of his passes, NC State's senior quarterback has thrown four interceptions in two career games against Carolina.
"This North Carolina team is talented enough to win if things are going well," said O'Cain "We've got make sure that we prevent things from going well for them."
If NC State can jump out to an early lead, there's a chance that the Tar Heels might start wondering why they even made the trip to Charlotte in the first place. Then again, Carolina's fragile confidence will receive a shot in the arm if the game stays close throughout.
Whatever the case, there will be no shortage of intensity and emotion when it's time to kick the football off.
"It's definitely easy to get up for these guys," Scott said. "It's not like you're playing someone else that you really don't know. This isn't just another game. We're talking about the sky blue on the other side. We're ready to meet those guys. I'm ready to get this game on the road."
See-they already know why they want to win this one so badly.
