North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack and Seminoles Fight for First
11/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Like seven other coaches in the ACC, Florida State's Bobby Bowden is ecstatic that he'll never have to face NC State quarterback Philip Rivers again after this season. Bowden, in particular, has probably seen as much of Rivers as anyone else since his defense has had a difficult time getting the Wolfpack offense off the field the last two years. Time of possession was crucial in the Pack's back-to-back wins over the Seminoles, and it figures to be an important factor once again this Saturday when the two teams hook up in a huge ACC football game that could go a long way in deciding the league title.
The stakes are clear: A Florida State victory in Tallahassee would give the Seminoles (8-2, 6-1) the outright ACC title. But a Wolfpack win would really turn the league race upside down. NC State (7-3, 4-2), which hasn't won an ACC Championship since 1979, could share the title with a win this week and another in next Saturday's season finale against Maryland.
The task, while enormous, doesn't seem all that daunting to an NC State team that has proven it can indeed hang with the Seminoles. And as everyone in the ACC has witnessed over the last four years, when Rivers is on the field anything is possible.
With Rivers directing the show in the Pack's 17-7 triumph over the Noles last season, NC State hogged the football for 40 minutes and 26 seconds. In the third quarter alone, the Wolfpack offense stayed on the field for nearly 12 of the 15 minutes.
"That's been the key for us the last two years," Rivers said. "Last year, we had it all that time and didn't really put up all that many points. If we could have capitalized on some of those drives, it would been even better. I think when you're playing a team like that they can hit you with a big play on offense and then on defense, they're as tough as anybody in the country when they can get a couple of three and outs. The key for us the last few years has been converting third downs and keeping the chains moving. It's going to be key this week that we get the ball in the end zone when we get down there."
The elaborate shifts and formations that NC State has saved for Florida State the last two years have done the job to a point, but without Rivers in place to orchestrate and direct, the clever game plans would have been useless.
"Philip Rivers does that as well as anybody," Bowden said. "The writers down here ask me about the way they controlled the ball, implying that they had run the ball well. They do run it well, but they control it with the forward pass. Not only is their passing game a first down offense, but it eats up the clock. I attribute 99 percent to the quarterback."
In the Wolfpack wins over FSU, the efforts of Rivers were also complimented by an effective running attack that produced just enough in both games to keep the Seminoles guessing. Prior to its upset win in Tallahassee in 2001, NC State had not been able to muster much of a running attack. But on that day, Ray Robinson danced and squirmed his way to 106 yards and three touchdowns. In last year's game, freshman T.A. McLendon rolled up 114 yards on 27 carries.
Along with slowing down the pass rush, the running game also opens up the play-action passing attack that allows Rivers to get the ball down the field a little more often. More than likely, NC State will need similar balance to have a chance in Saturday's game.
"The last two years, the time of possession has been in our favor," said Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato. "The best way to stop an offense is to make them sit over there on the bench. We ran the ball the last two years. How? I don't know, but we did."
After reviewing the film of the last two games, it would be reasonable to assume that Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews will change his approach. Last season, the Seminoles sat back and blitzed very little, allowing Rivers to control the ball, the game and the clock with short possession passes. It was a relatively passive, containment strategy that played right into NC State's hands. Of course, if you choose to be aggressive and go after him a little more, Rivers has also shown an ability to make the big play as well.
"I think you've got to mix it up because if you don't, he'll just eat you up," Bowden said. "I remember when they played down here the last time. I think we had a four-point lead and around 10 minutes left and he took them on a drive that went eight minutes and they scored. It would have been better if they would have scored in two minutes. When we got the ball back, we went all the way down to the 11-yard line and time ran out. He can get you either way."
The Florida State defense Rivers will face on Saturday is probably better than the last two editions. Among other things, FSU leads the ACC in scoring defense (12.3 ppg.) and ranks third in the entire nation. The Seminoles are allowing only 298.6 yards per game, a figure that ranks 14th in the latest NCAA statistics. With 31 quarterback sacks this season, Florida State already has 17 more than it recorded in all of 2001.
"They look really good," Rivers said. "I've said that every year and ever since I've been watching football growing up, they've looked the same. They've always been fast and they fly around. You can tell they feed on the excitement of a three and out to get them going and that's what you don't want to do. They get a turnover, they make a big sack or a big hit and they can thrive off of that for no telling how long. They're a great defense and the statistics don't lie."
Another stat that doesn't lie is Rivers' completion percentage, which stands at 72 percent through 10 games. The mind-boggling rate is a testament not only to his accuracy as a passer, but to his decision making as well. Play soft, and he'll throw underneath; play close and he'll throw over your head. Either way, he goes to the right receiver the vast majority of the time.
Win or lose on Saturday, Bowden will probably be one of the first people to congratulate Rivers on a marvelous career. But he'll also be glad to see No. 17 walk off the Doak Campbell Stadium field for the last time.
"I can't tell you how happy I'll be," a giggling Bowden said. "He has really done a job on us and I'll be ready to see him gone."
NC STATE INJURY REPORT
PROBABLE:
Richard Washington, WR -- Fractured Ribs
