NC State
Maryland
Wolfpack Lose A Tight One, 23-19
11/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2001
Final Stats | Video Highlights
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.--NC State had many things working on its behalf Saturday night. There was the confidence it had gained in a stunning victory at Florida State last weekend. The Wolfpack also had a sophomore quarterback who was rewriting the school record book every time he took the field. And then there was the raucous crowd at Carter-Finley Stadium that was ready to cut loose with its second big celebration in as many weeks.
But in the end, those three powerful forces were no match for destiny.
Maryland's destiny was to win the ACC championship, and on Saturday night the Terps added yet another chapter to their fairytale of 2001 by rallying to edge NC State 23-19. With the win, Maryland (10-1, 7-1) clinched the league title outright and assured itself a bid to a BCS bowl game.
Shaun Hill's eight yard scoring pass to receiver Guilian Gary with just 41 seconds remaining culminated one of the most remarkable and unexpected regular seasons in ACC history.
"It's a tribute to our players," said Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, who will likely set a record for coach of the year awards. "I couldn't be prouder of them. They'll always have a special place in my heart because they wouldn't quit. They just refuse to lose. They're a special football team and I feel very privileged to have a chance to coach them."
Maryland persisted even after a stunning fumble late in the game had seemingly put NC State in the driver's seat. With 3:59 remaining, the Wolfpack (6-4, 4-4) grabbed a 19-16 lead when Philip Rivers hit running back Cotra Jackson with a one-yard touchdown pass. The fourth down play provided NC State's lone touchdown of the night.
Moments later, the Pack was given an early Christmas gift. On first and 10 from the Maryland 35, Hill rifled a perfect pass into the hands of receiver Rich Parson, who had gotten behind the NC State secondary on a post pattern. But just before reaching the goal line, Parson lost the ball when he was hit from behind by Wolfpack safety Lamont Reid. And when Pack linebacker Levar Fisher fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown, NC State had possession and the lead with 2:51 remaining.
It was a huge break, but one which the Pack would not take advantage of.
Only one first down stood between the Wolfpack and another huge victory. But on three running plays, the Pack picked up just four yards and was forced to punt. Following Austin Herbert's kick of 42 yards, the Terrapins began what would be their decisive scoring drive, a clutch march that would cover 61 yards in 10 plays.
"I feel so bad for all of our young men and all of our Wolfpack fans out there," NC State coach Chuck Amato said. "I personally apologize for not playing the game to win there at the end instead of not to lose. But that was the right thing to do. If we make one first down at the end the game is over. But it's a 60-minute football game and you've got to give a lot of credit to the University of Maryland. They never doubted at all that they were going to come back and do it."
In actuality, however, NC State may have very well lost Saturday night's game in the opening half when it was forced to settle for three Adam Kiker field goals after repeatedly failing to punch the ball in the end zone.
A Julius Patterson interception and return of 67 yards to the Terp's 33 gave the Pack its first scoring opportunity. But when the ensuing drive bogged down at the 16-yard line, Kiker came on to hit the first four field goals on the night to make it 3-0 NC State.
Two other impressive Wolfpack drives in the second quarter would also lead to field goals. The last of which gave NC State a 9-0 advantage with 1:38 remaining before halftime.
"That's the thing that you look back on, if one play would have gone differently, the whole outcome of the game could have changed," said Rivers, who was 27-of-43 passing for 275 yards and one touchdown. "One of our goals is to score touchdowns in the red zone, but we didn't do it."
Said Amato: "When you play a team like this, you've got to score touchdowns."
Ironically, it was a field goal late in the first half that may have gotten Maryland started. The kick by Nick Novak, which came from 25 yards out with just five seconds remaining in the opening half, pulled the Terrapins within six points at the break.
Then on its opening drive of the second half, Maryland marched 70 yards in 15 plays to grab the lead. Hill found Gary in the left corner of the end zone on a five yard scoring toss to put the Terps in front for the first time, 10-9.
"They got a big three points at the end of the first half and then they took the opening drive of the second half, which was big," Amato said.
Hill was every bit as good as Rivers, completing 27-of-41 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Maryland's Bruce Perry, who came in as the ACC's rushing leader with an average of 115 yards per game, was held to 91 yards in 21 carries.
Maryland finished with 399 yards of total offense, while NC State tallied 313 yards on the night.
The Wolfpack will need to beat Ohio University next Saturday to equal its overall and league records of last season. A victory next week would probably clinch a second straight bowl berth for the Pack as well.
As for Maryland, the Terrapins are headed to a BCS Bowl with destiny on their side.
