North Carolina State University Athletics
Start of Classes Signals End of Two-a-days
8/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
Just as they had done the previous two weeks, NC State's football players dragged themselves out of bed early on the morning of Aug. 21. But instead of heading over to the football offices to put on shoulder pads, they flipped book bags over their shoulders and headed off to class.
School is now in session.
From August 10-19, coach Chuck Amato and his staff were able to squeeze in a total of 18 practices thanks to a grueling workout schedule referred to as two-a-days. In those nine days, the team sandwiched two practices a day around numerous meetings and film sessions. To say that it was a grind would be an understatement.
But with the arrival of a new school year, two-a-days are now over. That's not to suggest, however, that the players will be getting a break. Now, morning classes will be followed by afternoon practices.
"Two-a-days are tough mentally," said senior linebacker Clayton White. "It makes you ask yourself just how much you really love the game. The bottom line about getting through two-a-days is L-O-V-E."
A grizzled veteran by college football standards, White has been through the routine before; he knew what to expect and thus, had an idea of what he was getting into. For some of the freshmen, however, the regimen came as somewhat of a shock to the system.
"It's been different," freshman quarterback Philip Rivers said. "I've never been through two-a-days like this. It's been much more intense, a lot more meetings and a lot more involved. It's gone well. I feel like the offense is getting into a good flow."
Directed by Rivers, the 1st team offense has consistently moved the football against the 2nd team defense in two preseason scrimmages, which is perhaps a testament to the hectic practice schedule. Effective offenses rely heavily on timing and cohesiveness, and neither can be achieved without repetitions on the practice field.
NC State almost stayed injury free through two-a-days, but the streak of good luck ended on Friday when starting offensive tackle Scott Kooistra went down with a sprained MCL in his knee. The 6'6, 304 pound sophomore will miss from four to six weeks. Chris Colmer, a 6'5, 293 pound redshirt freshman, is the most likely candidate to hold down the right tackle spot until Kooistra returns.
Take away the injury, and Amato would have very little to complain about. Overall the weather has been great, maybe too good.
"We haven't had very much heat," Amato said. "Going back to when I was a player in high school and in college all the way through my time as a coach, I've never been through cooler two-a-days. I wish it was a little bit warmer."
Of course the guys who have to wear the pads and helmets may respectfully disagree with their coach. Privately, most players celebrate the end of two-a-days. Now, having passed the test, they can set their sights on actually playing a game.
"Once school starts, everything is the way it's been all your life," White said. "You go to school, then you practice, then you play a game. When it's over, you repeat the process all over again."
