North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Battling Injuries and Disappointment
11/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 13, 2002
With its national championship hopes long gone and the ACC title a longshot, NC State will try to overcome key injuries and win its school-record 10th game in a matchup against Virginia on Saturday.
The No. 22 Wolfpack (9-2, 4-2) had visions of a possible national title after opening the season 9-0, but a 24-17 loss to Georgia Tech on Nov. 2 ended those hopes.
NC State then squandered a 14-point second-half lead last week and dropped its second straight, 24-21 to Maryland.
That left the Wolfpack two games behind first-place Florida State in the ACC with two remaining, meaning it will have to win out, including beating the Seminoles in the season finale Nov. 23, and have Florida State lose to 2-8 North Carolina on Saturday.
The difference between 11-0 and 9-2 for the Wolfpack is just a couple of plays that went the other way in the fourth quarters of both losses.
"There aren't a lot of 9-2 teams left in the country," N.C. State coach Chuck Amato said. "There's still a lot out there for us. We lost two very close games. We've been outscored 25-7 in the fourth quarter the last two weeks. These kids are resilient. I'm more concerned about the medical report."
Leading that list for the Wolfpack is star tailback T.A. McLendon, who missed the entire second half against Maryland with a bruised shoulder. McLendon, averaging 89.4 yards per game, is listed as doubtful for Saturday. So is receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who has 18 receptions in his last two games.
"Fortunately, that's a position where we have a lot of people, but you don't replace somebody like him," Amato said. "We can stick Andy Bertrand in there and maybe Chris Murray can do something. He's been practicing well the last few weeks."
NC State's injury list doesn't end with McLendon.
A knee problem will keep starting left guard Shane Riggs out Saturday, while Cotchery is doubtful with a high ankle sprain. On defense, linebacker Avery Gibson will likely miss the last two regular season games because of an ankle sprain.
The Wolfpack has won nine games in a season eight times in the last 111 years, but never reached the 10-victory mark.
Virginia (6-4, 4-2), also coming off consecutive losses, hopes to avenge last season's 24-0 defeat to N.C. State that ended the Cavaliers' three-game win streak in the series. The Wolfpack hasn't won in Charlottesville since a 30-27 victory in 1994.
Unable to mount any rushing attack and outscored 25-7 in the second half, Virginia suffered its second straight defeat Saturday, 35-14 at Penn State.
After losing two straight road games, returning home should help the Cavaliers' confidence. They have won four in a row at Scott Stadium since a season-opening 35-29 loss to Colorado State.
If Virginia can win its three remaining games - against N.C. State, Maryland and Virginia Tech - it would be the school's first nine-win season since 1998.
