North Carolina State University Athletics
Amato: Veterans Must Step Up
9/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 29, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-It's an issue that NC State head football coach Chuck Amato has been unable to avoid going all the way back to the first days of preseason practice. A young Wolfpack defensive line that is sprinkled with a heavy dose of true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores was going to need time to mature and develop this season. Because of that inexperience along the defensive front, the Pack (3-2, 1-1) needs the more seasoned players at the linebacker and defensive back positions to be at their best from week to week. Through the first five games of NC State's season, Amato says that hasn't happened.
"Our experienced players aren't playing dominant football," Amato said during his regular Monday press conference. "Our experienced players are the back seven. They've got more experience than the front four. The front four is very inexperienced, but that's not an excuse."
Surrendering more than 1,200 yards of total offense the last two weeks, NC State is now ranked 101 in the nation in total defense and 116 out of 117 schools in pass defense. Of course, the Pack has faced a couple of teams the last few weeks that can and will throw the football well on just about everyone. For instance, Texas Tech's B.J. Symons, who threw for a school-record 581 yards against NC State last week, broke his own mark this past Saturday by passing for a Big 12 record of 661 yards in a 49-45 win at Mississippi. Symons leads the nation in passing with an average of 490 yards per game.
"Hey, before the season is over we might be saying we did a good job against them," Amato cracked. "That dude's only thrown for over 1,200 yards in two games. At least we won't go in their record book."
In an effort to correct some errors and breakdowns, Amato is considering the possibility of simplifying some things on defense. He cites big plays and inconsistency as the two areas that have really hurt NC State the last few weeks. In Saturday's win over the Tar Heels, the Wolfpack gave up touchdown passes of 69 and 72 yards. Against Texas Tech, the Pack yielded scoring plays of 36 and 50 yards.
"I think it was 35 times in [the North Carolina game] that we allowed no yards or negative yards," Amato said. "We've got to stop those five or six times a game that we allow 62 and 68 and 83 [yards]."
Junior linebacker Pat Thomas, a member of that back seven to which Amato referred, agrees with his coaches' assessment.
"One thing we always strive for is to stop the big play," Thomas said. "The big play has been coming and has hurt us. It usually comes down to one or two big plays that decide the game. The teams we've played have made some great plays against us. Every team we play, it seems like they bring their 'A' game. When they bring their 'A' game, we have to step up to their level."
Unlike Texas Tech and North Carolina, NC State's opponent this Saturday, Georgia Tech, doesn't feature a high-powered passing attack. Although freshman quarterback Reggie Ball can throw the football, he has done more damage with his running ability. Ball, who was named ACC Rookie of the Week on Monday, rushed for 103 yards in Tech's overtime win over Vanderbilt on Saturday.
"I watched Reggie Ball in a couple of games and he's just a great athlete," Thomas said. "He reminds me a lot of Michael Vick. When you play guys like that, you have to keep them contained."
Injuries: NC State running back T.A. McLendon, who sat out Saturday's contest against the Tar Heels with a hamstring pull, is listed as questionable this week. If McLendon is cleared to play, Amato won't wait until he's 100 percent healthy to turn him loose.
"If he's able to play, he will play," Amato said. "I'm not holding anyone out. We need all the firepower we can get because one day we might need to score 80 points. I wish I could tell you today whether T.A. could or couldn't play on Saturday, but I won't know until Friday. I'd like to have my guns loaded."
After missing Saturday's contest with a broken toe, starting free safety Troy Graham is probable for the Georgia Tech game, which will begin at 12 noon.
