North Carolina State University Athletics
Healing the Wounds
11/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Moments after his team had suffered a devastating 10-6 loss to North Carolina last Thursday night, NC State football coach Mike O'Cain wondered if the Pack could bounce back and prepare itself for a season ending contest at East Carolina.
But three days after the fact, the tears have dried, the pain is slowly subsiding and the sun has come up everyday since then.
"That was a very emotional loss for us on Thursday night and we left a lot on the field," O'Cain said on Monday. "We still haven't gotten over it as a team and a coaching staff. But one reason we hadn't gotten over it was because we hadn't started preparing for the next one."
The process of preparing for the next one started with a late afternoon practice session on Sunday.
"I know I'm a lot better since we got back with the players and started preparing for the next game," said O'Cain. "It's a slow process, but the keyis being ready to play at 12-noon on Saturday. We have a lot left to playfor. There's a big difference between 7-5 and 6-6 record wise. But even more importantly, there could be a bowl opportunity if we're 7-5."
Because of its twelve game schedule this season, NC State needs seven wins to be bowl eligible. On Sunday night, Peach Bowl Executive Director Gary Stokan said that the Pack is no longer under consideration for the New Years Day game in Atlanta. However, a spot could still be available for the Wolfpack in the Aloha Bowl in Hawaii.
Of course it will be a moot point if NC State can't win at ECU this weekend.
"I think all of us are mature enough to understand the situation," said Wolfpack wide receiver Chris Coleman. "We need one game to be bowl eligible, so we basically have to put the Carolina game behind us quickly. Carolina is probably the most important game on our schedule, so it's tough getting over it. But this group of seniors realizes that we have to move on. It's important that we convince the rest of the guys the same thing."
The heartache may actually heal faster than some of the physical wounds the Wolfpack has been dealing with all season. Tailback Ray Robinson, who has been in and out all year, is being listed as day to day with continuing ankle problems. Running back Rahshon Spikes, who missed the North Carolina game with bruised ribs, is being listed as probable for this weekend.
"Rahshon will play on Saturday, but how long I don't know," said O'Cain."Ray's ankles are still bothering him. He keeps re-injuring those ankles when he gets tackled and twisted. We'll have a lot of questions about our backfield between now and Saturday."
There will also questions about the Pack's state of mind between now and then, but from all indications, the team as a whole is doing a good job of beating the Carolina blues.
