North Carolina State University Athletics
Bye Nets Wolfpack Win
11/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2003
Bye Nets Wolfpack Win
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.--Commenting on having a bye last week, an NC State fan was overheard saying, "I like byes because it means we can't lose, but then again, we won't win either." The last part of that statement is now debatable. While it didn't officially pick up a 'W', the Wolfpack's first off week of the year turned into a goldmine of sorts. Of course, the biggest break for the Pack came when Florida State suffered its first conference loss of the year with a stunning 26-10 defeat at Clemson, an outcome that threw NC State (7-3. 4-2) right back into the race for the conference title.
The Wolfpack could also benefit from upset losses sustained by Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, a pair of teams that, heading into the weekend, figured to battle NC State for precious bowl invitations that will be up for grabs in a few weeks.
For now, however, the Pack is hoping to take advantage of the good fortune that plopped into its lap when the Seminoles fell to 6-1 in conference play with Saturday's loss in Death Valley. While the challenge is certainly enormous, NC State could still grab a share of its first ACC title since 1979 if it can find a way to beat Florida State and Maryland over the next two weeks. That's a light at the end of the tunnel that wasn't even flickering following a second league defeat at Georgia Tech back on October 4.
"You never give up hope," said Wolfpack linebacker Pat Thomas. "Even when we did lose three games, you never know what can happen. This year has been a crazy year so far. Duke beat Georgia Tech; I'm sure nobody thought that would happen. The tables have turned and luckily, it's been the best for us."
The Yellow Jackets' shocking defeat to the improving Blue Devils means that NC State and Maryland are now the only two clubs left with just two conference losses. Even that could change before the Wolfpack's game in Tallahassee next Saturday since the Terrapins will host Virginia on Thursday night.
The Florida State team NC State will face this week (3:30 kick off) will certainly be ready for some anger management counseling. Along with wanting to rebound from Saturday's loss at Clemson, the Seminoles really don't need to be reminded that they have dropped two in a row to the Wolfpack.
Two years ago, NC State became the first ACC team to win a conference game in Tallahassee when it downed the Noles 34-28. Instead of getting payback last season, FSU left Raleigh with a 17-7 defeat in a game that probably wasn't as close as the final score.
Even if the Seminoles are mad, it will take more than shear anger to intimidate a team that's had their number for the last few years.
"There's no fear," said Thomas, a third-year player from Miami. "A lot of guys on our team haven't lost to Florida State yet. A lot of other teams play Florida State and I guess because of the spear on their helmet, they get a little nervous. A lot of times that can affect another team, but I don't think that's like us at all."
Luck isn't the only thing that has brought NC State back in the thick of the race. Since dropping that game in Atlanta, the Wolfpack has taken care of business in its last three conference games. Overall, coach Chuck Amato's team has won four in a row and six of its last seven.
"I mentioned about seven weeks ago not to be surprised if the team that wins the ACC has one loss and who knows, maybe even two," Amato said. "I really think we have to get used to this. That's what parity is all about."
Amato, an 18-year assistant coach under Bobby Bowden at Florida State before taking over at NC State in 2000, has a pretty good idea about what the atmosphere will be like in Tallahassee this week.
"They're awfully upset at us and now they're awfully upset at whoever they would be playing this week, which is also us," Amato said. "They didn't need any more motivation to get ready for us. They'll be cranked up."
On Sunday, Bowden admitted that NC State has now become an FSU rival after what has happened the last two years. Normally, when one mentions the word rival and Florida State in the same sentence, Florida or Miami are the focus of the conversation.
"That's a compliment, especially coming from the winningest coach in NCAA football," Amato said. "Our rival is the University of North Carolina but there's nothing wrong with having more than one. They've got two - Miami and Florida."
Short Injury list: NC State reaped another benefit from its bye week: A much shorter injury list. The biggest question mark for Saturday's game will be receiver Richard Washington, who left the October 25th game at Duke with two cracked ribs.
Listed as questionable, Washington won't see any contact work at all this week.
"We won't know anything until Saturday night," Amato said. "He will not get touched in practice here. Ribs are a touchy thing, especially with a wide receiver who if the ball goes up there, you have to go get it. I'm hoping that I can try him, but a lot can happen between now and Saturday."
Of course, it would have been logical to assume that no one on the NC State team would benefit more from an off week than frequently injured tailback T.A. McLendon. But as luck would have it, the sophomore reported to the Murphy Center on Monday feeling run down by flu-like symptoms.
"The question of the weekend was 'what will keep him out?'" joked Amato. "We got an injury list this morning and on top of the list was T.A. McLendon. I said 'surely this is a joke.' He had flu symptoms and had a fever and everything else. If something can find his body it will. I'm hoping it's just a 24-hour thing."
Bowden Calls in: The importance of Saturday's contest apparently won't stop Bowden from making his annual appearance on Amato's weekly radio program, which will air Wednesday night from 8-9 p.m. on the Wolfpack Radio Network. Coach Bowden is scheduled to visit with Amato in the first half hour of the show.
Gametime Update: It may be another few days before we know the starting time for NC State's home game against Maryland on November 22. ABC will exercise its option to wait until possibly this weekend to choose the ACC game it will add to its regional package for that Saturday. The only certainty at this point is that the game will be played at either 12-noon on JP or ABC at 3:30.
