North Carolina State University Athletics
Price, Holt and McLendon Honored by ACC
9/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 16, 2002
Rivers is the "Leader of the Pack"
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.--Three players who made key contributions to NC State in its 32-13 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday night are receiving accolades from the ACC. Shawn Price, who made what was perhaps the Pack's defensive play of the year against the Deacons, has been named the league's Defensive Lineman of the Week. Defensive Back of the Week honors go to senior Terrence Holt, who once again excelled on both defense and special teams. Meanwhile, a two-touchdown performance has tailback T.A. McLendon being recognized as the ACC Rookie of the Week.
It was Price who made sure Wake Forest wouldn't make a second half comeback on Saturday night. After forcing a fumble on a sack of Deacs' quarterback James MacPherson, Price scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 13 yards to give the 16th ranked Wolfpack a 29-13 advantage late in the third period.
"You can be rest assured that that play will be on our highlight tape," NC State head coach Chuck Amato said on Monday. "We'll probably have a couple of angles on it, in slow motion and everything else. You'll have to ask Price what the music will be."
Holt made some beautiful music of his own, recording eight tackles, while also adding an interception, four pass break-ups and a caused a fumble. He then set a new ACC record when he blocked a Wake field goal attempt late on the game. It was the 12th blocked kick of Holt's career, breaking the old mark that had been held by former Duke star Ray Farmer.
"[Holt's] work ethic has been unbelievable from day one until now," Amato said. "It's in the Holt genes. I just wish there were more of them around that we could recruit. He creates so many problems for the opposition in the kicking game because they know where No. 9 is lined up. They'll call him out. He's got great timing on those field goal blocks and his hands adjust to the ball. And don't slight him on his capabilities to be an outstanding free safety for us as well."
A crowd favorite since getting his first carry against New Mexico in week one, McLendon is showing off the talent that made him one of the best running backs in the history of North Carolina high school football. Against the Deacons, the 6-2, 220-pound freshman recorded two punishing touchdown runs and rushed for 30 yards on 11 carries. Held out of the September 7th game at Navy because of a sore shoulder, McLendon could be seeing more playing time in upcoming games.
"He's getting better each week and that's what we wanted," Amato said. "I think that he's one of those backs that if we handed him the ball 25 times a game, he would have real good statistics. Out of those 25 times, he would probably break it for some good yardage because he's that kind of a runner."
NC State's leading rusher through four games is starter Greg Golden, who has 242 yards on 55 carries (4.4 per carry average). McLendon has run the ball 40 times for 182 yards, an average of 3.8 yards per attempt. Both players have three touchdowns apiece.
Injury Update:Outside linebacker Avery Gibson is being listed as doubtful for this week's game at Texas Tech after suffering a high-ankle sprain against Wake Forest. Second team defensive tackle Sheldon Lewin falls into the questionable category with a sprained MCL in his knee. Results of an MRI taken on Sunday did not indicate a tear in the ligament. Amato said that Lewin would test the knee out during Monday night's agility drills.
Keeping up with the Pack from afar:Among the many fans tuned into the Wolfpack's game against Wake Forest on Saturday was 1998 NC State graduate Jason B. Nicholson, a Captain in the U.S. Army now stationed in Afghanistan. Captain Nicholson writes:
Kudos to the Pack for the webcast of the football games. It allows us alumni over here in Afghanistan, fighting the war on terrorism, to take a short break and hear our favorite team in Red and White hit the gridiron. Go Pack! Jason B Nicholson CPT, US Army c/o 98
We at Gopack.com would like to say "thank you" to Captain Nicholson and all the other men and women who are sacrificing so much to protect the freedom we here at home enjoy every day.
