North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Scrimmages in Front of Big Crowd at Carter-Finley
4/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 12, 2003
By Tony Haynes
As if right on cue, the damp, dreary weather that hovered over Raleigh all week disappeared right on time for NC State's annual Red/White Football Scrimmage at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. No one enjoyed the perfect sunny afternoon more than a huge crowd, estimated at better than 15,000, that turned out to watch the Wolfpack scrimmage for about two hours. To absolutely no one's surprise, the offense was led by quarterback Philip Rivers, who hit 12-of-15 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. With four tackles for loss and three sacks, defensive end Terrance Chapman paced the defense. The scrimmage concluded NC State's spring practice period.
The biggest ovation of the day was reserved for wide receiver Tramain Hall, who had waited two long years to finally put his skills on display in front of the Wolfpack faithful. On the first team offense's opening possession, the speedy Hall took a swing pass in the right flat and sprinted 10 yards for a first down. As he left the field, the 5-11, 183-pound redshirt sophomore received an appreciative roar from the crowd.
"I had fun out there, I really did," said Hall, who has been slowed this spring by a strained hamstring in his right leg. "I couldn't run as fast as I wanted to run because of the hamstring. But it was exciting, just coming out there with all that support. They haven't forgotten me."
Hall finished with five catches for 54 yards.
Speaking of hamstrings, the Wolfpack offense has been hamstrung by injuries all spring. With tailback T.A. McLendon recovering from offseason wrist surgery and backup Josh Brown hampered by a hamstring problem, NC State has often been forced to use walk-ons at the tailback position.
"The offense has really been at a disadvantage most of the spring," said Pack coach Chuck Amato. "Josh played a little bit today although he hadn't practiced in two weeks. We put Tramain back there some and he hasn't practiced in a week."
The receiving corps has also been limited. Redshirt sophomore Richard Washington, who made five grabs for 62 yards on Saturday, had not practiced all week. Another top receiver-Sterling Hicks-has also been banged up.
"What it did do was to give an opportunity to Brian Clark," Amato said. "Brian Clark really had a good spring at wide receiver."
Clark made three receptions for 28 yards in the scrimmage, including a spectacular leaping scoring grab of a Rivers' pass when NC State was going through an overtime simulation.
Back-up quarterback Jay Davis continued to show some promise on Saturday, connecting on 13-of-19 throws for 96 yards. Chris Moore was 3-of-11 for 49 yards.
"All spring, I felt like Richard Washington and Tramain Hall improved a lot," said Rivers. "You don't look at them as freshmen, although they really are first year players. Lamart Barrett as a wideout really came on. Overall, I think we made improvements in some areas. We don't have to play a game anytime soon. It was a successful spring. I definitely think from day one to now we got a lot better."
NC State Announces Spring Award Winners
Senior quarterback Philip Rivers and sophomore linebacker Pat Thomas have both been named "Most Outstanding Player" on offense and defense for 2003 spring drills. The spring award winners are voted on by the NC State coaching staff at the end of spring drills, which will conclude tomorrow with the Red/White scrimmage at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Rivers, who enters his senior campaign with a 26-12 record as a starter, was also named the "Most Dependable" quarterback and earned the "Most Dominant" and "Leadership" awards on offense. Thomas, whose 106 tackles last season rank second among returning players, was also named the "Most Dependable" linebacker and was the co-winner of the defensive leadership award with Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay.
In the "Top Newcomer" category, receivers Tramain Hall and Richard Washington were co-recipients on offense, while defensive end Mario Williams, who graduated a semester early from high school and enrolled at NC State this spring, won that accolade on the defensive side.
The following is a list of the the Wolfpack's 2003 spring award winners:
OFFENSE
Most Valuable Non-Scholarship Player: BRANDON SANDERS
Leadership: PHILIP RIVERS
Second Effort Award: JOHN RITCHER
Top Newcomer: TRAMAIN HALL/RICHARD WASHINGTON
Most Outstanding Player: PHILIP RIVERS
Most Dominant: PHILIP RIVERS
Defense
King of the Boards: Terrance Chapman
Most Valuable Non-Scholarship Player: Dyron Liverman/Brent Laprad
Leadership: Pat Thomas, Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay
Second Effort Award: J.J. Jones
Top Newcomer: Mario Williams
Big Hitter: Oliver Hoyte/Ernest Jones
Most Outstanding Player: Pat Thomas
Most Dominant: Manny Lawson
Most Improved
Quarterback: JAY DAVIS
Receiver: BRYAN CLARK
Offensive Line: JOHN MCKEON
Running Backs: ERIK TAYLOR/CHAUNCEY GRAHAM
Tight Ends: JOHN RITCHER
Linebackers: FREDDIE A-LINDSAY
Defensive Backs: TROY GRAHAM
Defensive Line: RENALDO MOSES
