North Carolina State University Athletics
Burnette is Bringing the Thunder
11/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 6, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-The crackling pop was so pronounced that it sounded like a head on collision between two buses on I-40. Just inches from the NC State goal line, Georgia Tech tailback Ajenavi Eziemefe lowered his head and catapulted himself forward. Bang! Suddenly, Eziemefe's body straightened up and toppled backwards. He had been denied a touchdown by the man they call "Thunder Dan."
Dantonio Burnette, a tightly wound 5-10, 233 pound bundle of dynamite, doesn't like giving up ground on the goal line or anywhere else on the football field for that matter. Last Saturday night against the Yellow Jackets, he made three memorable stops during two incredible goal-line stands by the NC State defense.
"There isn't anything more stimulating than that," said a smiling Burnette when asked about last week's stands. "I knew it was going to be a big challenge going against those guys on the goal line because their offensive line is so big and strong. We just wanted to go out there and show the entire nation that we had a good defense. When coach called the goal line defense, I said, 'OK, let me back up a little bit because I know it's going to be a big hit.' I told the guys before the play that I was going to make a big hit right here. The running back came through the hole and I just stuck it to him."
On the Wolfpack's practice schedule each week, Tuesday is goal line day. It's the day when one entire period is dedicated to smash mouth football from the one-yard line. Head coach Chuck Amato calls it his favorite drill because it really puts an emphasis on toughness and intensity. "The players don't like it, but I do," Amato says.
Check that. Most of the players don't like it. Never one to shy away from contact, Dantonio Burnette hurls his body into running backs in practice the same way he does it on game day. The NC State football team's slogan from last year, "Full Speed Ahead," certainly applies to Burnette, who goes full speed every single day on the practice field. His consistent preparation habits have helped him become the only player this season to earn ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors on three different occasions.
Even though he missed one game after breaking his thumb, Burnette ranks 8th in the ACC in tackles per game (10.1), third in sacks (8) and third in tackles for loss (15.0). Those are numbers normally reserved for defensive player of the year candidates. Two years ago, Wolfpack outside linebacker Levar Fisher came out of nowhere to win the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. If there is a short list made up of players under consideration for that same award this year, Burnette's name should be on it.
"That was a goal I was really trying to go out and obtain this year and I think I'm doing a pretty good job," said the native of Warner Robbins, Georgia. "I give all the credit to my defensive line; they're really helping me go out there and make a lot of plays. At the beginning of the year, I knew I would have a chance to go out and showcase my talents, and by doing that I was going to have to put a couple of individual goals aside in order to obtain team goals."
This week, Burnette's leadership skills are being put to the test following last Saturday's bitter 24-17 loss to Tech. After many Wolfpack wins this season, Burnette and fellow senior Terrence Holt have orchestrated a series of players only meetings in an effort to keep the entire team focused. Now coming off of its first loss, the Wolfpack must make a quick emotional recovery, especially with a tough road game against streaking Maryland just a few days away.
"The message this week is to focus back in and to correct all those little mental mistakes that we made," Burnette said. "After the game everybody seemed like they were still upbeat. We were mad that we lost the game and everybody was hurting, but that's a feeling we don't want to have again this year."
In an effort to avoid that feeling, you can be sure that Dantonio Burnette will once again be bringing the thunder against the Terps.
