North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report
11/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 13, 2002
#22 (AP) #20 (ESPN) NC STATE (9-2, 4-2) at VIRGINIA (6-4, 4-2)
DATE: Saturday, November 17, 2002
TIME: Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. (EST) at Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA (61,500)
RADIO: Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network. AIRTIME: 11:00 a.m. (EST)
TELEVISION: Jefferson-Pilot ACC Network (Regional)
OPPONENT--It's not how you start, but how you finish that counts. The Virginia Cavaliers will tell you. The Cavs scored on their first possession, but it was downhill from there as Penn State answered Virginia's early punch with 35 straight points and cruised to a 35-14 victory before 108,698 fans at Beaver Stadium.
After junior quarterback Matt Schaub's 1-yard TD pass to tight end Heath Miller with 8:47 left in the first quarter, Virginia didn't score again until freshman tailback Wali Lundy ran in from 4 yards out with 7:08 remaining in the game.
UVA was unable to come up with anything to offset Penn State's brute force. The Lions (7-3) dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Cavs netted only 30-yards rushing while, the PSU ran for 289. The Lions totaled 533 yards of offense and gave up only one sack. They owned the football for 36? minutes. Their play-action schemes froze the Cavs' safeties and exploited their cornerbacks. Their defense stuffed the run and sacked Virginia QB Matt Schaub four times.
Penn State tailback Larry Johnson, who entered as the nation's fifth-leading rusher, gained 188 yards - the most Virginia has allowed an opposing player this season - and one TD on 31 carries. Sophomore quarterback Zack Mills, was 19 for 30 passing for 227 yards and two TDs. For Virginia, Schaub and senior wideout Billy McMullen shined the brightest. Schaub completed 30 of 38 passes for 260 yards, one TD and no interceptions. McMullen had 10 catches for 122 yards.
The Wahoos' trademark this season has been their stellar second-half play, and they still had a chance at the break, trailing only 10-7. But Penn State pummeled UVA after the intermission. It was the first time in more than a year that the Cavaliers failed to outscore their opponent after halftime.
The game got away from Virginia early in the second half. On the Cavs first possession of the third quarter, a 41-yard completion from Schaub to McMullen, they moved to the PSU 39. Two plays later, tailback Alvin Pearman fumbled on a play and re-injured his right knee. Penn State linebacker Andy Ryland recovered the ball. Seven plays later, the Lions stretched their lead to 10 points on a shovel pass from Mills to backup fullback Paul Jefferson that gained 10 yards.
The Cavaliers, who have lost two straight road games, turned the ball over again early in the fourth quarter. Schaub fumbled after scrambling for a 5-yard gain, and PSU recovered at the Virginia 37. The Lions' ensuing drive ended with Johnson's 6-yard TD run.
Another event that hurt UVA was a trick play that Lions coach Joe Paterno called with the score 20-7 early in the final period. Robbie Gould, who had drilled a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter, lined up to attempt a 47-yarder. But holder Chris Ganter took the snap and took off running through a huge hole in the line for a 30-yard touchdown to snuff out any Virginia comeback hopes.
Fielding one of the youngest teams in the ACC with nine true or redshirt freshmen in this week's starting lineup, Virginia is rebuilding and coach Al Groh has done a terrific job recruiting. For example, linebacker Darryl Blackstock, a true freshman, has recorded nine sacks --a freshman ACC record. Miller, a redshirt freshman, has caught eight TD passes. That ties the ACC season record for a tight end set by North Carolina's Mike Chatham in 1979.
Offensively, Schaub and McMullen are the heart and soul of the unit. Schaub, a junior, has thrown 21 touchdown passes this season, tying the school record held by Shawn Moore (1990) and Bobby Goodman (1992). He is also No. 2 in the ACC in passing (235.3 ypg.), passing efficiency, and total offense (239 ypg.) while McMullen is the No. 3 receiver in the ACC with 53 catches. Overall, UVA is last in the league in total offense (362 ypg.) and is next-to-last in rushing (108 ypg.), but is one of the better passing teams in the ACC averaging 254 yards a contest (third behind UNC and NC State).
Offensive guard Elton Brown, an all-ACC candidate and Virginia's most powerful blocker, might miss a second straight game with stress fracture of his right foot. There's not a lot of experience on the left side of the line and the center position (two freshmen and a sophomore) which could be a reason why UVA has had trouble running the ball this season. Lundy, another freshman, is the team's leading rusher (510 yards, 3 touchdowns) and No. 2 receiver (45 catches). Pearman, the Wahoos' second-leading rusher, was seen on crutches Monday and will likely not play against NC State.
Defensively, Virginia, runs a 3-4 scheme. However, the Cavaliers are next-to-last in the ACC in total defense (446 ypg.), rushing defense (217) and are allowing a hefty 28.3 points a game (7th ACC). The bright side for Virginia is that it features five of the ACC's Top-20 tacklers. The linebackers and a veteran secondary are the strength of the unit. Senior inside linebackers Angelo Crowell (108) and Merrill Robertson (101) are the leading tacklers. Blackstock, an outside linebacker, is also very active (80 stops). Strong safety, Shernard Newby (3 interceptions) and free safety Jerton Evans (82 tackles), both seniors, lead a secondary that has surrendered 13 touchdown passes.
The UVA special teams appear average, except for Lundy. He leads the ACC in kickoff returns (24.6 ypr.). Freshman punter, Tom Hagan is 5th in the ACC (37.8) while freshman kicker Kurt Smith is 7-12 in the field goal department with a long of 42 yards. However, another freshman, Connor Hughes, is listed as the starter this week. Hughes has not attempted a field goal and is 2-2 in PAT kicks this year.
This game is big for both teams as they try to snap two-game losing streaks. NC State could all but secure a trip to the Peach Bowl with a victory, while Virginia must win one of its last three regular-season games to qualify for a bowl. The Cavs play host to Maryland on Nov. 23 and visit Virginia Tech on Nov. 30. Both are ranked in the Top-20 this week.
INJURIES--NC State: CB A.J Davis-Out, Fractured fibula; TB T.A. McLendon-Doubtful: Shoulder sprain; OG Shane Riggs-Out: Knee sprain; WR Jerricho Cotchery-Doubtful; High ankle sprain; LB Avery Gibson-Out; High ankle and knee sprains. Virginia: OG Elton Brown-Questionable; Stress fracture foot; TB Alvin Pearman-Doubtful; Knee; S Willie Davis-Questionable; Ankle.
