North Carolina State University Athletics
Behind The Scenes With Tony Haynes: 'Pete' Does it All
9/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2002
By Tony Haynes
"Is there anything Bryan Peterson can't do?" Chuck Amato was asked. NC State's head football coach thought for a second before responding, "play middle guard." Perhaps Peterson's 5-11, 190-poud frame would be severely challenged in the trenches, but who knows?
For a guy who was supposed to be too slow to play wide receiver, Peterson runs pretty fast (once timed at 4.38 in the 40). And for a guy who was supposed to be too fragile to play wide receiver in the ACC, Peterson is certainly tough enough.
He runs, he blocks, he catches and he throws. If the ACC had a punt, pass and kick competition, Peterson would certainly be listed as one of the favorites. Up close, he actually looks like one of those kids you'd see wearing oversized NFL jersey's every year at the Super Bowl. But looks are deceiving.
"The first thing I asked when our season was over last year was, 'who is going to be our Olin (Hannum) next year?"' Amato said. "I was hoping that was the name that would come up and it was synchronized: 'Pete' was the answer because he can do those things. He was a quarterback in high school and he can throw it, he can catch it and he can run it"
Peterson has indeed picked up where Hannum left off last year. On NC State's first play from scrimmage in the season opener against New Mexico, the senior from Clinton took a reverse pitch from quarterback Philip Rivers, faked a double-reverse handoff to Jerricho Cotchery and fired a perfect pass downfield to Sterling Hicks. Perhaps it's a good thing Hicks dropped the ball because the 35-year old concrete foundations that prop-up Carter-Finley Stadium may have crumbled under the ensuing roar that would have accompanied a clean catch and touchdown.
Along with his versatility, Peterson has emerged as quarterback Philip Rivers' top target this season. The uncanny telepathy that exists between the two players isn't a fluke: Peterson understands Rivers' thought process more than most receivers because he was a quarterback himself in high school. And like Rivers, he's a winner, having led Clinton Senior High to a pair of state championships.
"Being a former quarterback, I know what he's looking for in a receiver," Peterson explained. "If he's in trouble, I know he wants us to come back to the ball because I know that's what I wanted when I was a quarterback."
But the quarterback-receiver relationship between Peterson and Rivers goes beyond five step drops and post-corner routes. It's a relationship that has been nourished by time spent together-on and off the field.
"We spent a lot of time together the last two summers playing video games," Peterson said. "During breaks in two-a-days, he'd come over to my house and sleep. We're just close."
And it shows. When Peterson needs to make an adjustment in his route to compensate for the coverage techniques that are being used against him, Rivers always seems to know where he'll be. No 900 calls to Dionne Warwick are needed with these two guys because they're definitely on the same page.
In three games this season, Peterson has made the most of his opportunities. Four of his eight catches have gone for touchdowns and his average of 32.4 yards per reception ranks No. 1 in the ACC.
At a school that has produced stellar receivers like Torry Holt, Koren Robinson, Haywood Jeffires, Eddie Goins and Nasarallah Worthen, Peterson is on the verge of breaking a record that speaks volumes about his consistency. Just call it the streak. Peterson has made at least one reception in 28 consecutive games, moving him within six games of Jimmy Grissett's school record of 34.
"It means a lot to me but it won't really mean anything if we don't win it all," Peterson responded when asked about the importance of the streak. "The streak just lets you know that God has kept me healthy. I really don't think it about when I hit the field, but after the game the offensive line reminds me that I still have a streak going."
And what would be 'Pete's' dream game?
"To throw a touchdown pass, make a touchdown catch and to get about a 150 yards," he said.
Don't count him out. After all, there isn't much he can't do.
