North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Seeking Quick Cures Before FSU Comes to Town
11/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-NC State head football coach Chuck Amato doesn't know if cornerback Marcus Hudson and left guard Shane Riggs will be available for next Saturday's regular season finale against Florida State. But he's just as concerned about finding a remedy for an offensive attack that produced just nine points in Saturday's five-point loss at Virginia.
The Wolfpack (9-3, 4-3) will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak when it entertains the Seminoles at 3:30 p.m.
Spotty execution, injuries and turnovers have hurt the Pack during its skid, especially last weekend in Charlottesville. Against Virginia, NC State turned the ball over three times and now has a total of nine costly giveaways over the last three games. And unlike earlier in the season, the offense hasn't always been making the most of its scoring opportunities. On Saturday, there were two trips into the red zone that ended in a fumble and an incomplete pass in the end zone.
"I think the Red Cross has something to do with that," Amato said in reference to some the injuries his offense has experienced in recent weeks. "You've got a tailback (T.A. McLendon) that's beat to you know what and you've got a guard who hasn't played in basically two games. I can't say enough about what Shane Riggs has done for that offensive line. That was a big injury for us. [Jerricho Cotchery] didn't do anything on Monday or Tuesday. Thursday we were out there without pads and he did quite a bit more. All of those things there add up. That quality depth is so very, very vital and that's what hurts teams like us. It's important to get 85 on your team to where when someone gets hurt, you don't have to put a walk-on in there."
NC State alternated two walk-ons at left guard at Virginia. Ashley Wingate and started and was relieved on a few occasions by Brandon Sanders. The two players were trying to fill the void left by Riggs, who sprained his MCL early in the November 9th game at Maryland. Amato said Riggs' status for the Florida State game wouldn't be known until he tests his knee out during practice on Tuesday. Cornerback Marcus Hudson is listed as doubtful after spraining his ankle this past Saturday.
"Marcus has a little discoloration on his ankle," Amato said. "That one is very similar to Jerricho's, except Jerricho didn't have the discoloration. We'll know a heck of a lot more on Tuesday. I hope for our benefit he'll be able to play."
Cotchery, who played with a sprained ankle, did not sustain any further damage at Virginia. McLendon, who has been playing with a sore shoulder all season, also avoided any major setbacks on Saturday. Back-up tailback Josh Brown should also be fine after suffering a concussion.
Even if those key players return for the Florida State game, Amato says the offense will have to do a better job of hanging onto the ball and executing.
"The execution at times hasn't been as consistent as we would like to have it, and that's a little bit of everybody when you talk about that," Amato said. "We've had our opportunities. Turnovers have hurt us, and that's something that we've been real good with."
