North Carolina State University Athletics
"Underdog" Pack Visits Texas Tech
9/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 20, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Picked to finish 2nd in the ACC football race, 16th ranked NC State has, to this point, lived up to all expectations. In jetting out to a 4-0 start against inferior competition, the Wolfpack has looked like a balance and well-rounded outfit. And four weeks into the 2002 season, Philip Rivers is starting to be recognized as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.
But some folks aren't impressed.
Despite its unbeaten record, its balance, its quarterback and its national ranking, NC State will be an underdog this Saturday when it travels to Lubbock for an intriguing non-conference contest against unranked Texas Tech (2-1).
Aretha Franklin's stirring rendition of "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" probably won't be the song of choice in the Wolfpack locker room on Saturday, but in the minds of some players, it would probably be appropriate.
"It's a little slap in the face," NC State wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said when told that Texas Tech would be favored on Saturday. "We've done pretty well in our first four games, but we're still the underdog. That's how it works sometimes. We've got to prove to everyone that we can play with anybody in the nation. They have been playing well at home and they are a good team, so I guess until we earn more respect we'll be the underdog."
Perhaps a sizeable chip on the shoulder is exactly what NC State needs going into a game like this. With the fans euphoric and many of the players starting to hear how great they are, the news of Texas Tech's status as a favorite set up a scenario through which head coach Chuck Amato could work a little extra motivational magic this week. But the Wolfpack will need more than motivation to win in Lubbock: Execution-especially on defense and in the kicking game will be vital.
While much of the talk this week has centered on quarterback Kliff Kingsbury and the wide-open Texas Tech offense, it should be noted that the Red Raiders have also excelled on special teams this season. Rarely does a day go by without Amato saying at least once, "We've got to win the kicking game." His obsession with the kicking game has certainly produced results during his three-year tenure, especially over the first four games this season. But in Texas Tech, the Pack could meet its match when the special teams units hit the artificial turf field at Jones SBC Stadium.
In their impressive 42-28 win over Mississippi last weekend, the Red Raiders were aided by Wes Welker's fourth career punt return for a touchdown. Texas Tech punter Clinton Greathouse also had a tremendous day, averaging 51.7 yards per punt, while also backing the Rebels up on four kicks that were downed inside the 6-yard line.
"They have an outstanding kicking game," Amato said. "Their punter punted the ball inside the 10-yard line four times the other day. Now how would you like to start 90 yards away? Three of those were inside the five and one being on the one. There's that hidden yardage that makes things so much more difficult for an offense to move the ball. And it puts your offense in such great field position if the defense holds them right there. That's what they do."
With all the talk about Kingsbury, who became the Big 12's all-time passing leader last week, it's sometimes easy to overlook Texas Tech's defense. Amato, however, won't be lured into such a trap.
"They play good defense, they really do," Amato said. "I can remember watching their bowl game last year against Iowa. It was a very low-scoring game (19-16 Iowa win) with two teams that score a lot of points. I know talking to friends that I have at schools out in the Big 12, they say people sometimes get so enamored with their offense that they forget that they play great defense."
But it's a defense that probably hasn't hit its stride yet. In their season opening 45-21 loss to Ohio State, the Red Raiders surrendered 317 yards on the ground. One week later, SMU rushed for 227 yards in a 24-14 Texas Tech victory. If the Raiders are unable to contain NC State's much improved running game, they could be in for a very long day. Unlike last season, opponents are now forced to respect the Wolfpack's ability to run the football. The newfound balance has given Rivers more opportunities to throw the ball downfield to a deep and talented group of wide receivers, while also relieving pressure on the entire offense as a whole.
"That's been good for us because it keeps the defense honest," Cotchery said. "T.A. [McLendon], Greg [Golden] and Josh Brown have done a good job of running the ball and the offensive line has really picked it up. It's allowed us to open up the passing game."
Chances are, Rivers and Kingsbury will complete more than their share of passes on Saturday afternoon. Not only do both quarterbacks make solid decisions, they're also surrounded by excellent skill people. And the offensive schemes they orchestrate do a tremendous job of spotting and then exploiting a defense's weakness.
The quarterback that leads his team to victory will likely earn a few points on the Heisman Trophy radar screen. But above all else, the winning team will score a major triumph in its struggle to land a little more national attention. Or in NC State's case-a little respect.
With a win, the Wolfpack would go to 5-0 for the first since Dick Sheridan's team ripped off six straight wins to start the 1991 campaign. The last time these two teams met, NC State pulled out a dramatic, come-from-behind 36-34 victory in 1993. The Pack leads the overall series 2-1. The Wolfpack Radio Network will kickoff its one-hour pregame show from Lubbock starting at 11:30 a.m. eastern time.
