North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Tailback is Questionable for FSU
9/13/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 13) - NC State may or may not have a fully loaded arsenal when it travels to Tallahassee for a meeting with top ranked Florida State on Saturday. The Wolfpack emerged from this past weekend's game against William & Mary in good health--with one big exception. Tailback Ray Robinson limped off the field late in the second quarter after turning his right ankle.
"Ray is probably questionable right now," said NC State coach Mike O'Cain during his weekly media gathering. "He did not look good yesterday, but today he seemed to be a lot better after receiving treatment this morning. We'll see how he looks on Tuesday and then see if he can go full speed with our offense on Wednesday."
Ankle problems are nothing new to Robinson, who was slowed in the preseason by a sprain to his other ankle. Prior to leaving Saturday night's game, the Hilton Head Island native had carried the ball eight times for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Rahshon Spikes would be the likely candidate to replace Robinson in the starting line-up, but don't count out Eric Leak. The junior tailback has given the Wolfpack added depth at the position after being moved from wide receiver last spring.
"The thing that Eric brings to the table are quickness and elusiveness," O'Cain said. "He's not a power runner, but he can make a big play when he finds a little crack. We'll have to wait to determine just how we are going to attack them (FSU) before we decide which tailbacks will play."
Quickness and elusiveness are nice attributes to have against Florida State's lightening quick defense. But last Saturday, Georgia Tech made the Seminoles look mortal when it hung 35 points on the Doak Campbell Stadium scoreboard. Tech's output was uncharacteristic considering the fact that FSU has held ACC opponents to an average of 10.8 points in games played in Tallahassee since 1992.
Mickey Andrews, Florida State's fiery defensive coordinator, will likely be more vocal than usual as he prepares his unit for NC State this week. "They're going to be cranked up, but they were going to be cranked up for us anyway," O'Cain said in reference to the Pack's 24-7 upset of the Seminoles last year. "They're not used to giving up points and yards, but at the same time, it shows your players that they are not invincible."
While not invincible, they're close-especially at home. The 41-35 win over Georgia Tech extended the nations longest home winning streak to 42 games. During that stretch, the Noles are a perfect 30-0 versus ACC foes. FSU's last loss at home was the famous "wide right" defeat to Miami in 1991.
