North Carolina State University Athletics
Indians Out to Spoil Pack Party
8/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
For eight months now, NC State football fans have eagerly counted down the days until the Wolfpack's season opener. And, the Sept. 2 contest against Arkansas State was preordained as the "Chuck Amato coronation party" long ago. Arkansas State, however, has other things in mind.
The underdog Indians, who posted a 4-7 mark last season, are well aware of the fact that they have been given virtually no chance of walking of out of Carter-Finley Stadium with a win. And you can bet that they have been reminded of that fact by fourth-year head coach Joe Hollis.
"I think in watching their film and watching the people they have returning that they have a lot of skill," Amato responded when asked about Arkansas State. "Don't let that State after Arkansas fool you because it sure isn't fooling us. Coach Hollis has said that this is the best team he's had since he's been there. Skill is everywhere these days and they've got it. They've got a quarterback and a wide receiver that make a lot of big plays."
The quarterback is Cleo Lemon and the receiver is Robert Kilow. The statistics show that Cleo is anything but a lemon; he became the first player and first freshman ever at ASU to throw for 300-plus yards in his first start in 1997. The senior is the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes (35), passing yards (5,742) and passing attempts (822).
"He drops back quite a bit and he's got the mobility to move out of the pocket," Amato said. "The people that you talk to who have played against them in the last year or so think that he's an outstanding quarterback. He throws the ball deep very well and they are not afraid to go downtown in a heartbeat."
The top-receiving target is Kilow, who has put up some big-time numbers throughout his career, and has done so against tough competition. The speedy 5-11, 168 pound senior set a school record with 377 all-purpose yards against Mississippi last year, including 11-catches for 254 yards.
The Lemon to Kilow combination will certainly test what is a very young Wolfpack secondary. NC State's starting corners, James Walker and Brian Williams, have zero college experience at their position. Williams made 12 starts last season, but all at free safety. Walker is a true freshman.
Former Parade High School All-American Jonathan Adams is also a threat for ASU. The junior running back rushed for 680 yards and six touchdowns on just 145 carries last season.
James Hickenbotham, a 5'10, 173 pound sophomore, was the nation's 13th best kick off return man last season, averaging 26.3 yards per return.
Members of the Big West Conference, the Indians have never shied away from facing top-flight competition, especially in opening ballgames. In the decade of the '90's, Arkansas State started seasons against the likes of Florida (1993), Virginia Tech ('94), Brigham Young ('96), Georgia ('97), Minnesota ('98) and Illinois ('99).
This will mark the first time ASU has met a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
