North Carolina State University Athletics
K-Rob Pondering Future
12/26/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - As NC State's football players gathered for a MicronPC.com Bowl press conference on blustery Ft. Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 26), hoards of reporters surrounded Wolfpack receiver Koren Robinson.
Very few questions directed towards the record breaking redshirt sophomore had anything to do with Thursday night's meeting with Minnesota at Pro-Player Stadium. Most of the inquiries concerned Robinson's future after the bowl game. Will he stay at NC State for one more year or might he make an early jump to the NFL? Only one thing is for certain: Robinson's mother will be the first to know the answers to those questions.
"I'm going to see what she thinks about it first," Robinson said. "It depends on my mother. After we talk, I'll make a decision. Regardless of what I do, I know she'll support me. I feel I'm ready; I feel I can play at any level. There's no question about that."
Few would question Robinson's ability. In only his second full season as a college player, he was selected as an All-ACC first team performer and was a second team All-America choice by Football News.
Robinson led the ACC in receptions per game (5.6) and receiving touchdowns with 13. Overall, he finished the season with 62 catches for 1,061 yards. He was also one of the nation's most feared kickoff and punt returners.
During his meeting with reporters on Tuesday, Robinson said that a decision on his football future would probably be made soon after the MicronPC.com Bowl.
Before heading to the beach on Tuesday afternoon, the Wolfpack held its last official practice for Thursday night's game. Unlike a few of the weekend workouts, which involved heavy contact, Tuesday's practice was less intense.
"There was a lot of mental stuff today," said Wolfpack linebacker Levar Fisher, who was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the nation in tackles. "We've been practicing very hard. This is about business and pleasure, but for me the pleasure is in winning the game."
The Pack is scheduled to go through a light walk-through at Pro-Player Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Perhaps the most defining statistic in the sport of football is the takeaway-giveaway ratio. And if the MicronPc.com Bowl is indeed decided by turnovers, NC State's chances of getting out of South Florida with a victory appear to be quite good. In 806 offensive plays during the regular season, the Wolfpack set a new school record for fewest turnovers with 20. NC State threw 11 interceptions and lost nine fumbles. The previous mark for fewest turnovers (24) was set last season.
