North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack and Horns are Ready to Rumble
8/27/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Women's World Cup doesn't matter any more. Neither does the U.S. Open. Yes, the summer of 1999 featured a few sports thrills, but for the most part, the last four months have been boring and hot. Thankfully, party time has arrived.
Last spring, Mike O'Cain asked his NC State football players if they would be interested in facing Texas in the Black Coaches Association Classic on August 28. Wolfpack cornerback Tony Scott didn't hesitate before letting out a big YES!
Everybody was like, heck yes let do it, said Scott. We were all so happy because we knew that would be a great way to kick off the season.
And kick it off they will at 8:30 Eastern Time on Saturday night. Over the last two seasons, NC State has made it a habit of knocking off a big name opponent early. Two years ago, the Pack pulled off that stunning overtime win at Syracuse. Then there was the unforgettable torching of Florida State in week two last season.
More than likely, the first game of your season is going to be a stepping stone in either direction, said senior cornerback Lloyd Harrison. Hopefully, this will be a step up.
While mindful of the big pictureand there will be at least 11 more games after this oneNC State's veterans fully understand what a big win early in the season can do for confidence and chemistry.
I feel like this is a big game for us, quarterback Jamie Barnette said. On offense, we have a lot of guys who haven't even played a snap in college football. A win would be big for their confidence.
If given time to throw, Barnette will have an opportunity to exploit a Texas secondary that doesn't have that much experience either.
Our secondary is only as good as our pass rush, so we've got to put pressure on Barnette, said Longhorns coach Mack Brown. Our guys can't cover NC State's receivers for long periods of time without pressure. You also worry about Jamie's ability to scramble. We've got make him throw off rhythm and not allow him to scramble and make plays down field.
Texas, however, does feature some studs up front who are capable of applying pressure on the Pack quarterback. Junior tackles Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers weigh a combined 620 poundsand they're not slow. Hampton was a second team Big-12 selection last year after making 60 tackles. The pro scouts are already eager to get their hands on both Hampton and Rogers.
Senior Aaron Humphrey, a senior defensive end, had ten sacks and 24-quarterback pressures in 1998. Humphrey and his running mate at defensive end, Cedrick Woodard, combined for 34 tackles for losses.
These two teams (NC State and Texas) are teams with a lot of potential, a lot of speed and a lot of unknowns, Brown said. The difference is that 17 of the guys NC State has back have experienced wins over Syracuse and Florida State. You'd have to think that though they (NC State) are young, they do have an edge in experience.
Maybe, maybe not. Redshirt freshman tailback K.J. Stone could see significant playing time at tailback for NC State. Center Keegan Weir will be making his first college start. Wolfpack receivers Koren Robinson and Bryan Peterson are in the same boat. On defense, the Pack has two new starting safeties Brian Williams and Adrian Wilson.
***Win or lose on Saturday, NC State quarterback Jamie Barnette will stop by ESPN.com for a chat session on Monday at 9 a.m.
