North Carolina State University Athletics
O-Line Gets Thumbs Up
9/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 2, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Although it was missing its best player and playing in its first game under a new position coach, NC State's offensive line was more than up to the challenge in last Saturday night's opener against Western Carolina. While receiver Tramain Hall and quarterback Philip Rivers were the headline acts in the Wolfpack's 59-20 win, there was little fanfare surrounding the big guys up front. It should be noted, however, that by night's end, Rivers' uniform was virtually spotless thanks to a stellar job that was turned in by the five men given the important assignment of protecting him.
"I really thought the offensive line did an outstanding job," said NC State head coach Chuck Amato. "They opened up some nice holes and the quarterback didn't get sacked."
Despite combining to throw 39 passes, quarterbacks Rivers and Jay Davis really never came close to being sacked. And the holes opened up for running backs T.A. McLendon and Cotra Jackson helped to produce 127 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns.
All in all, it was a successful debut for new offensive line coach Mike Barry, who was brought in last spring after Marty Galbraith left to take a job with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.
Barry had his work cut out for him during the preseason. Less than two weeks into fall camp, he began the process of reconfiguring personnel in an effort to get his best players on the field at the same time. Sean Locklear, a starter in all 14 games last season, was moved from right guard to right tackle. Ricky Fowler, who like Locklear is a converted defensive lineman, was given the starting job at right guard.
Then came the unexpected loss of Chris Colmer at left tackle. A first-team All-ACC performer last year, Colmer hasn't done much of anything the last three weeks since suffering a rare nerve injury in one of his arms. His spot is now being occupied by redshirt John McKeon, who made his first college start on Saturday.
When the NC State offense took the field against Western Carolina, only one lineman-center Jed Paulsen-was at the same position he played last year.
It didn't look that way.
With Rivers getting enough time to complete 26-of-30 passes for 320 yards, the NC State offense was incredibly efficient, scoring on eight of its first 10 possessions and nine of 12 for the game. With the plethora of weapons it possesses at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, the Wolfpack will be awfully tough to stop if the offensive line plays as well as it did on Saturday.
But then again, there's always room for improvement.
"There were a lot of mistakes that we had that people didn't see because we look a lot at technique, first steps and the little things that can kill you," said Fowler, a redshirt junior from Columbus, Georgia. "To beat Wake Forest, we have to correct those things and get better."
Wake Notes: NC State graduate Jerry Punch will provide the play-by-play call of ABC's regional telecast of the Wolfpack's 12-noon game at Wake Forest on Saturday. Airtime on the Wolfpack Radio Network is 11 a.m. The local radio affiliate in Winston-Salem is WSJS 600 AM. Even though the Pack's series with North Carolina is older (since 1894), NC State has played Wake Forest more than any other opponent. This will be the 97th meeting overall. Rivers needs only 148 passing yards to surpass Jamie Barnette as the school's all-time leader.
