North Carolina State University Athletics
Quarterbacks Grab Spotlight in NC State--Virginia Matchup
11/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Just call Philip Rivers the poster boy of ACC quarterbacks. From the time he led NC State to a come-from-behind win in his very first game as a freshman until today, Rivers has been the center of attention in Raleigh. It hasn't been nearly as cut-and-dried for Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub, whose up and down career--prior to this year--produced as many benchings and boo birds as touchdown passes.
But when NC State (9-2, 4-2) travels to Virginia (6-4, 4-2) for a 12 noon kick off on Saturday, Rivers and Schaub will be on equal footing, a pair of quarterbacks who now have more in common than their careers up to this point might otherwise suggest. Rivers, a junior, stands 6-5 and weighs 236 pounds. Schaub, also a junior, stands 6-5 and weighs 235 pounds.
The tale of the statistical tape is almost a dead heat. In 11 games, Rivers has completed 193 of 307 passes (62.9 %) for 2718 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In 10 games, Schaub has completed 223 of 320 throws (69.7%) for 2353 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Both players are well on their way to setting numerous records at their respective schools.
"I've seen him play when they've had a later game than we've had," Rivers responded when asked if he had been keeping up with Schaub's progress this season. "He's really playing well. He's had a really good year and he seems to fit with the system they're running. They really spread it out and he's done a good job of spreading the ball around."
Like Rivers, Schaub has now mastered the art of unloading the ball quickly. As a result, both players have left a long trail of frustrated pass rushers in their wake.
"Virginia is truly into getting rid of the ball in a hurry," said NC State head coach Chuck Amato. "If you're open and your only one-yard across the line of scrimmage, he'll get it to you. That's why he has a 69 percent completion percentage. I heard an interview with him and he said he had learned to get the ball out of his hands in a hurry. That's the philosophy of the West Coast Offense. It's dink here and dink there and dink, dink, dink dink. It's aggravating."
No more aggravating to defenses than Rivers, who after buying himself extra time in the pocket with subtle steps to his left or right, has a knack for getting the ball to a receiver whether he has to throw it overhand, sidearm or submarine style. Rivers also engineers an offense that is designed to stretch opposing defenses both vertically and horizontally.
"The diversity of the passing game is such that it takes a lot of preparation to get ready for and it's one of those that can be very frustrating to a defense because the ball is out so quick," said Virginia coach Al Groh, now in his second year with the Cavaliers. "The plays themselves are fast moving, quick-throw plays, and Philip gets the ball out of there very fast."
Currently NC State's all-time leader in pass completions (670), Rivers is just 1,103 yards away from Jamie Barnette's mark of 9,461 passing yards. He also needs just one more scoring toss to break a tie (59-59) with Barnette for career touchdown passes. Ironically, of Rivers' 33 career scoring passes against ACC competition, none have come against Virginia.
"They hope they can make you kick field goals when you get down in the red zone," Rivers said of Virginia's zone philosophy on defense. "That's something that is going to be big for us this week is to score touchdowns and take what they give us."
Schaub's accuracy this season has been mind-boggling, especially of late. Over his last two games, the West Chester, Pa. Native has completed 73 percent (71-of-97) of his passes for 633 yards and two touchdowns.
Of course, quarterbacks are ultimately judged by the won-loss record and how they lead during times of adversity. Both Rivers and Schaub will be trying to pull their teams out of two game losing streaks when the Wolfpack and Cavaliers hook up for the 52nd time on Saturday.
"I take it upon myself to lead us and to help us win games," said Rivers, who is 23-11 as NC State's starting quarterback. "Our seniors have been great with that this year, but as the quarterback and having been here for three years, I take that upon myself also. We're still playing for the hopes of being in a good bowl and it all starts this weekend against Virginia. They're just like we are in the conference; we're both 4-2 and it's going to be a fun game."
A fun game in which the two quarterbacks will be the centers of attention.
Series Recap:The Wolfpack holds a 31-19-1 advantage in the all-time series, although it will be looking to win for the first time in Charlottesville since 1994. Last year, Ray Robinson ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns and Rivers was 21-of-30 for 217 yards as NC State rolled to a 24-0 victory. In pitching its first ACC shutout since 1990, the Wolfpack defense limited the Cavaliers to just 12 first downs and 215 yards. This series produced a memorable game in 1944 when NC State prevailed 13-0 despite not making a first down. The Wolfpack had only 10 yards of total offense, which still stands as the NCAA record for the fewest yards gained by a winning team. The game, which was played in a driving rainstorm, was decided when the Pack fell on two UVa fumbles in the end zone.
