North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Looking to Stay Hungry
10/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 27, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-After all the slaps on the back, the congratulatory handshakes and the euphoria that resulted from one of its biggest wins, NC State's nationally ranked and unbeaten football team must now avoid the pitfalls of feeling satisfied.
No doubt, the Wolfpack was feeling good about itself following Thursday's impressive 38-6 thrashing of Clemson that gave the school its first ever 9-0 start. But complacency is not an option, not with a remaining schedule that includes four ACC teams with winning records.
"There's too much at stake," said Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato. "There's always that chance that could happen. We've got to be ready because Georgia Tech is very capable. It's our job to get them focused. We'll get after them pretty good in practice this week. They've had enough pats on the back and enough time off. We won't have a typically short Monday practice; we'll have a long Monday practice."
NC State's long-range goal is to win championships, but on the immediate horizon is another milestone: a win over Tech next Saturday would be victory number 10, something no other Wolfpack football team has ever accomplished. Heading into the regionally televised contest, the Pack is ranked in the top-10 of both major college football polls for the first time this season.
"Our players are excited about it, the people out there are excited about it and we are as coaches," Amato said. "Now we've got to coach harder. If we want to stay there, we've got to coach and coach and coach and teach and teach and teach. We've got teach them everything we can this week to help put them in good situations and give them an opportunity to beat a good Georgia Tech team."
Georgia Tech certainly looked the part of a good football team against Virginia on Saturday, especially in the opening half. The Yellow Jackets (5-3) built a 23-0 first half lead before holding on for a 23-15 victory. Tech received excellent quarterbacking from A.J. Suggs, who was 26-of-41 for 220 yards. Georgia Tech also rushed for 211 yards behind a huge, experienced offensive line.
After cracking the top-10 in both polls, the Wolfpack has a chance to do the same in the second Bowl Championship Series standings, which will be released on Monday. And while the BCS rankings will pique the interest of the media and fans, Amato's primary focus will be on preparing his team for its toughest stretch of games.
"There's nothing we can do about those computers," Amato said of the complicated BCS formula. "We should move up because of the game we played in front of the nation and with a couple of the people in front of us getting beat. Everything will take of itself and wherever we land, we land. I'm not going to lose sleep over it."
Injuries:NC State did not sustain any major injuries during the Clemson game. Senior receiver Bryan Peterson was used sparingly in the second half after suffering a deep bruise to his quad. Freshman tight end T.J. Williams came away with a knee sprain, but Amato said the injury isn't serious.
