North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Hosts Sixth-Ranked Florida State
10/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
When NC State lines up against Florida State Oct. 28 at Carter-Finley Stadium, it will be facing a program that has set new standards for college football excellence over the last 13 years.
During that period, the Seminoles have captured two National Championships, won 10 or more games every season, and they have finished no higher than fourth in the national polls.
Ironically, one of the figures responsible for FSU's rise to the top is now NC State's head coach. During his 18-year tenure as an assistant coach at Florida State, Chuck Amato learned what it takes to be No. 1. It appears he learned very well. Through six games, Amato has the Wolfpack riding high at 5-1. His former boss isn't surprised.
"When Chuck came here (in 1982) he was the linebackers coach," said legendary Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden. "Six or seven years later I made him the assistant head coach. It was very obvious watching him just how detailed he was; he always wanted to know what was going on on both sides of the ball. He also took on extra responsibilities like working with administrators. A lot of guys dodge that kind of stuff, but he thrived on it. I felt like he was really preparing himself for a head job."
Of course, when he was at Florida State, Amato never encountered the daunting task of actually preparing to play the Seminoles. And he, perhaps more than anyone else, knows exactly what he'll be going up against this week.
"[The Florida State players] all put time in on their own into preparing for an opponent because they don't want to be the team that breaks the string of winning 10 games and finishing in the top four," Amato said. "It means that much."
And following its 27-24 loss to Miami two weeks ago, Florida State (7-1) has no margin for error. Another loss would likely prevent the Seminoles from reaching most of the lofty goals they set for themselves each and every season.
One man who might feel he has a score to settle Saturday night is Seminoles quarterback Chris Weinke, who will be returning to the scene of the worst game of his career. Two years ago, Weinke, making just his second college start, threw six interceptions in the Pack's stunning 24-7 win over the 'Noles.
"He's a totally different quarterback now," said NC State free safety Terrence Holt. "In that game, we mixed up the coverages and gave him a lot of looks. He's a very mature guy now. We've got to come out and be ready for his best game. Even though they beat us last year, he still has a point to prove here in Raleigh because he didn't get it done here."
In fact, since that game at Carter-Finley Stadium two years ago, Weinke has been as good as any quarterback in college football. Through eight games this season, he leads the nation in passing with 2,784 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Said Amato: "He's so refined now. There's nothing that will rattle him. If he doesn't pre-read your coverage before the ball is snapped, three steps after the snap he knows what you're in because he studies the game. Weinke, in my opinion, has got to be the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. He's that good."
And like always, Weinke has plenty of talent around him. Every receiver the Seminoles put on the field is a burner, and every one of them is capable of scoring from any spot on the field.
Of course, the Florida State football dynasty hasn't been built on offense alone. As usual, the Seminoles are frighteningly fast and physical on defense. Dealing with a pass rush that has accounted for 32 sacks this season is NC State's biggest concern. Right end Jamal Reynolds, who leads the ACC in sacks with 10, is the latest big time pass rusher to emerge from the FSU assembly line.
"He's a guy that goes hard every play," said Wolfpack left tackle Jarvis Borum, who'll be assigned the unenviable task of blocking Reynolds. "He has the same speed of a Julius Peppers (North Carolina), but he never takes a play off. I've seen him chase down a play going the other way on the other side of the field. He's a big time player."
What's new? Florida State has big-time players at every position. Amato joked earlier in the week that the guys that don't go in the first round of the NFL draft will be passed over until the second round.
Since entering the league in 1992, the Seminoles are 66-2 against ACC opponents. Only a handful of the players that will be starting for NC State this weekend actually saw playing time in that surprising Wolfpack win two years ago.
"We've just go to play well in all phases of the game," Holt said. "When they make a big play, we've got to stay together. They're going to make big plays because they're a big play team. We've got to limit the number of big plays they make."
Florida State has prevailed in nine of the last 10 meetings and leads the all-time series 15-5. Last season in Tallahassee, Weinke completed 23-of-39 passes for 229 yards and kicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked four field goals as the Seminoles recorded a 42-11 victory.
Tale of the Tape
NC State Florida State
Record 5-1 7-1
Points per game 35.8 41.5
Points Allowed 24.3 11.1
Total Offense 421.5 537.4
Total Defense 355.0 273.4
Rushing Offense 91.2 135.9
Rushing TD's 7 17
Passing Offense 330.3 401.5
Passing Defense 173.5 205.4
Passing TD's 18 24
Turnover Margin +6 +8
