North Carolina State University Athletics
No. 15 Pack Tangles with UMass; Seeks 6-0 Start
9/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 2002
GAME DAY CENTRAL
Wolfpack Radio Network
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-A Division 1-AA team, the University of Massachusetts knows it will need a miracle when it runs up against unbeaten and 15th ranked NC State (5-0) on Saturday afternoon. Believe it or not, the Minutemen (2-1) may actually get the miracle they were looking for: Saturday's weather forecast calls for sunny conditions with temperatures in the mid-70s. For those with limited historical perspective, a Wolfpack home game at Carter-Finley Stadium without rain is almost unthinkable.
But not nearly as unthinkable as an NC State loss to Massachusetts.
In its other appearance against a Division 1-AA team earlier this season, the Wolfpack thoroughly manhandled East Tennessee State, 34-0. Bolstered by a superior talent advantage across the board, a similar result wouldn't be all that surprising this weekend. After opening with lopsided wins over Central Connecticut State and American International College, UMass stumbled in a 42-17 loss to Northeastern a week ago.
Like NC State's last opponent, Texas Tech, the Minutemen employ a wide-open passing attack that has shown the ability to make big plays. Even in a losing cause last week, junior quarterback Jeff Krohn completed 33-of-52 passes for 401 yards and two touchdowns. A transfer from Arizona State, Krohn led the Pac-10 Conference in passing efficiency a year ago. If given time to throw, he could possibly do some damage to an NC State secondary that often had a difficult time slowing down Kliff Kingsbury and the Red Raiders last Saturday in Lubbock.
In Atlantic 10 circles, coach Mark Whipple's teams have become known for their quick-strike ability through the air. Eleven of Massachusetts' 15 scoring drives this season have taken two minutes or less.
"We just got done with a team that went with four wide-outs the whole game, so hold onto your hats," said NC State head coach Chuck Amato. "They'll throw it. Their coach is a very good coach and he knows the passing game pretty well. They have a quarterback who led the Pac-10 in passing efficiency. He's a good football player. When you have a guy that can flip it like that, good things can happen for one side and bad things for another side."
But Whipple's offensive expertise and Krohn's ability to 'flip it' probably won't be enough unless some of NC State's players fall into the trap of starting their bye week early. Following the game with UMass, the Wolfpack will take next Saturday off before traveling to North Carolina on October 12.
"We're not in a position where we can overlook anybody; we're not there yet," Amato said. "I hope someday I can say that. We've got enough young people who are just trying to survive. We've just got to get better fundamentally."
Amato also wants to see his team continue its pursuit of what could become a record-breaking season in the annals of NC State football. A win on Saturday would give the Wolfpack its best start since Dick Sheridan's team opened the 1991 campaign with a 6-0 mark. The last time NC State won more than six straight games to start a season was Amato's senior year in 1967. That team reeled off eight consecutive games, while also rising to as high as No. 3 in the national polls.
A victory would also guarantee a five-week run in the Top-25, something that also hasn't been done since 1991.
The Minutemen could indeed be in for a long night, especially if NC State continues its first half success. Through five games, the Wolfpack has outscored its opponents 117-28 in the first half, and outgained them 1139 yards to 713. The quick starts have been ignited by quarterback Philip Rivers, who has completed 47-of-69 first-half pass attempts (68.1%) for 745 yards and five touchdowns in opening halves. The Pack has scored a touchdown or field goal on 21 of 34 first-half possessions.
Two-time ACC Rookie of the Week tailback T.A. McLendon is slated to get his first start at tailback after rushing for 150 yards and five touchdowns last week at Texas Tech. Even though he missed NC State's game at Navy with a bruised shoulder, McLendon has already scored eight touchdowns and is No.2 in the ACC in average points per game (12.0).
