North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Meets Duke for 76th Time
11/10/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 10) -- The gothic Duke campus sits neatly on the southwestern corner of what is known as the "Bull City." And though the school calls its sports teams the Blue Devils, perhaps the Duke Bulls would be more appropriate. After all, the Blue Devils seem to react like Bulls when they see the color red-as in Wolfpack red.
Though NC State (5-3, 2-3) has won the last six in a series that began in 1924, four of those games have gone right down to the wire. Last year at Wallace Wade Stadium, the two teams battled to a 24-24 tie in regulation before the Pack finally prevailed in overtime, 31-24.
Even in their most trying of seasons-and there have been many-the Blue Devils have consistently put up a good fight against NC State.
"Every year, Duke comes down and plays their best ball against us," said Wolfpack linebacker Levar Fisher. "I don't know what their coach does, but they come and play their best against us. They want to hurt us; they're not going to a bowl, but they want to come out and destroy our dreams. That's the only motivation they have right now."
At 0-9, Duke's prime motivation will be to snap a 10-game losing streak that began with a season ending loss at North Carolina last year. To say that the Blue Devils are rebuilding would be an almost laughable understatement. No fewer than 23 freshmen have seen action for Duke this season, and five of those first year players are listed as starters.
The Blue Devils' best chance for a breakthrough came last week when they traveled to Wake Forest. After falling behind early, a spirited comeback fell just short in a 28-26 defeat.
"I told them after the game the other day that one of the greatest tests of our courage is our ability not to lose heart after a defeat," said second year Duke head coach Carl Franks. "I'm not proud of the way we're playing, but I am proud that we give effort and we bounce back. The guys continue to care and continue to try. That's very satisfying to me."
Sometimes statistics lie. But in Duke's case, the numbers paint a painful picture. Defensively, Duke is at the bottom of the ACC in total defense (456.6 ypg.), scoring defense (37.3 ppg.), and passing efficiency defense. It doesn't get any better on the offensive side of the ball where the Blue Devils rank last in rushing offense (71.6 ypg), total offense (263.1 ypg), and scoring offense (11.4 ppg).
Duke's only All-Conference candidate happens to be punter Brian "Boomer" Morton, who leads the league with a 44.9-yard average.
Perhaps the only thing working in Duke's favor on Saturday is history. If the recent past is any indication, then the Blue Devils will make NC State sweat it out for four quarters.
"Look at the last couple of games," said Pack coach Chuck Amato. "In the 1990's, the average number of points in the game has been 60. They have all been shootouts. They have all been close. It's a rival. When you are that close, they're all rivals. Coach Franks had a mentor (Steve Spurrier) who knows how to throw the football. It is a simple, but complex offense. We have to get a pass rush and stop the run."
Said linebacker Clayton White: "It's a rivalry. We see those guys out every now and then. They want to get their bragging rights also, especially their senior class. They want to be able to say they beat us. That's the same as it was with us and Carolina. It's not as big as Carolina, but it is a rivalry."
White will be playing for the first time since going out with a broken right arm in the third quarter of the Pack's game against Georgia Tech on September 21. Others, like offensive tackle (knee) and defensive end Nate Goodson (knee) won't play on Saturday.
And the status of starting quarterback Philip Rivers probably won't be known until a few hours before the game. The overwhelming favorite for rookie of the year honors in the ACC, Rivers has been limited in practice this week by a slight shoulder separation. If he can't go, junior college transfer Olin Hannum will be called upon to make his first start.
The all-time record in this series is almost as close as this week's presidential election. NC State owns a slight 39-31 edge over the Blue Devils. There have also been five ties.
And no, there is no need for a recount.
TALE OF THE TAPE
NC State Duke
Record 5-3 0-9
Points Per Game 32.1 11.4
Points Allowed 29.9 37.3
Total Offense 401.5 263.1
Total Defense 373.3 456.6
Rushing Offense 101.5 71.6
Rushing Defense 193.9 193.8
Rushing TD's 8 7
Passing Offense 300.0 191.6
Passing Defense 179.5 262.8
Passing TD's 24 4
Turnover Margin +3 -12
