North Carolina State University Athletics
Behind The Scenes With Tony Haynes: Thursday Night Dreaming
9/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
Sept. 7, 2001
By Tony Haynes
When they awoke with smiles on their faces on Friday morning, NC State fans must have thought they were dreaming. Was it possible that their beloved Pack had finally played a home opener in perfect weather?
Could it be that veteran offensive lineman Keegan Weir had actually survived a first game?
Does NC State really have a talented, speedy defensive front that can actually stop the run?
Did ancient Carter-Finley Stadium, which hadn't changed in more than 30 years, really look that good?
And was it a dream or had the Cardiac Pack really dominated a team that it was so fortunate to beat last season?
Yes, it is safe to wake up and get out of bed. You weren't dreaming. All of those things really did happen.
With the entire nation watching on ESPN Thursday evening, 51,500 Pack partisans joined their beloved football heroes for a season-opening party that rocked west Raleigh on its foundation. The drenching downpours, which had so dampened the last three home openers, gave way to clear skies and wonderfully comfortable conditions.
Make no mistake about it: Everyone involved with NC State football-from fans to players to coaches to ball boys-they were primed for this one. Indiana came in saying it had a score to settle from last season when the Wolfpack broke many a heart in Bloomington by scoring 15 unanswered points over the last four minutes.
But this time, Indiana incentive was no match for Pack Pride.
"We've been watching all these other teams play and we just really wanted to get out here and play," said NC State tight end Willie Wright, whose one-handed touchdown catch in the opening quarter will stay on the highlight reel for awhile. "We really wanted to come out here show everybody what the Wolfpack could do this year."
What a sight it was to see embattled warrior Keegan Weir actually walking off the field after the game. As the Pack's starting center two years ago at Texas, Weir didn't even get out of the first quarter because of a broken leg. Then, amazingly, he suffered a similar injury in last year's opener against Arkansas State. This time, however, he played full speed for three and a half quarters without incident.
"It's probably the first time he's completed a game since high school," said Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato. "I know it was a burden off his back and I'm happy for him. Although he wouldn't say it, I knew he was concerned. He's a guy up front that can be a leader for us."
But the loudest cheers on Thursday were reserved for a swarming NC State defense that virtually shutdown what was projected to be an explosive Indiana offense. The ground-hogging Hoosiers, who pounded out an average of 266 yards on the ground to lead the Big Ten a year ago, managed just 106 yards on Thursday.
Suddenly deeper and faster than it's been in recent memory, the Pack's defensive line stayed fresh, energetic and lively for nearly the entire game. NC State's quickness up front took the fight out of an Indiana offensive line that goes around 300 pounds per man. The battle in the trenches, where football games are usually won and lost, was very one-sided.
"They (the defensive linemen) make my job so much easier because I don't have a 300 pound man hitting me in the mouth every time," said NC State linebacker Levar Fisher, who picked up where he left off last year by making 13 tackles. "I just thank god for the defensive line that we have this year. Coach Amato did a great job recruiting those guys. It really paid off tonight."
It paid off handsomely. And the best thing is-it really happened.
There's no need to pinch yourselves Pack fans.
