North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report
9/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 3, 2003
No. 14/11 NC STATE (1-0) at WAKE FOREST (1-0)
DATE: Saturday, September 6, 2003
TIME: Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. (EDT) Groves Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC (31,500)
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network.AIRTIME: 11:00 a.m. (EDT)
TELEVISION: ABC (Regional)
OPPONENT----Cory Randolph threw for two touchdowns in the final seven minutes as Wake Forest rallied for a 32-28 victory at Boston College on Saturday. Randolph drove the Demon Deacons 75 yards in just 37 seconds for the winning score, tossing a 43-yard touchdown pass to Chris Davis with 1:47 remaining. It was the third lead change in the final quarter of a seesaw game in which Wake Forest rallied from a 21-12 deficit with three scores in the final period. Randolph completed 4 of 5 passes in the final drive.
The Eagles, who hurt themselves with 14 penalties and three lost fumbles, had a chance to win in the final seconds, but another mistake sealed their doom. Starting at the 50 after the kickoff, BC moved to a second-and-2 at the Wake Forest 24. However, quarterback Quinton Porter, fumbled the snap and threw a pass that was batted back to him. Rather than knocking the ball down for an incompletion, Porter caught it. The ball was jarred loose for a fumble that was recovered by the Deacons Quintin Williams, ending BC's chances.
Wake Forest closed to 21-19 on Cornelius Birgs' 25-yard TD run with 13:56 left, then took a 25-21 lead on Randolph's four-yard TD strike to Jason Anderson with 6:44 to play. Boston College marched 89 yards in 13 plays to take a 28-25 lead on Derrick Knight's five-yard TD burst with 2:24 to go.
Randolph, in his first college start, completed 13-of-23 passes for 149 yards for Wake Forest, which is bidding for a third straight winning season, something it has not done in 50 years. Knight (144 yards on 30 carries) ran for all but 11 yards of BC's final rushing total. Quinton Porter completed 22-of-39 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown in his first start for the Eagles. BC outgained Wake Forest 186 yards to 46 in the first half and 443 to 309 for the game.
WFU produced big plays on both sides of the ball. The Deacons first touchdown was scored by the defense when Jamaal Argrow caused a QB fumble and Warren Braxton returned it 53 yards. Later, redshirt freshman wide-out, Willie Idlette's 75-yard touchdown run on WFU's first drive of the second half was the second-longest rush by a freshman in school history. The Deacs leading receiver was senior Anthony Young with 5 catches --a career high.
The running game, a Wake Forest staple, gained 160 yards against the Eagles, but not without adversity. All three runningbacks on the Deacs depth chart all exited the game with injuries in the opening quarter. Chris Barclay, the starter, sprained his ankle on his first carry and did not return until the fourth quarter. Birgs also suffered an ankle sprain, but returned to play most of the game and finish with 65 yards on 19 carries. Third-string back, Dominic Anderson, injured his left knee and did not return. He is likely out for the season with an ACL tear according to Deacons coach, Jim Grobe.
The Deacons victory was impressive because the offense had to replace eight starters off the ACC's top-ranked offense (408.1 ypg.) in 2002. Against BC, seven offensive players earned their first career starting nod while only three players on defense started for the first time in their careers-- all three along the line.
Six of the top seven tacklers are back for the Deacs, including linebackers Brad White (94 stops last year) and Kellen Brantley. The defensive backfield, featuring four-year starter Quentin Williams at safety, returned intact. Braxton, the strong safety in WFU's 3-3-5 alignment, was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week after recording 11 tackles against BC. Nine of those hits were solo.
Sophomore punter, Ryan Plackemeier, a Ray Guy Award candidate, averaged 50.6 yards on four punts against Boston College, more than 8-yards better than his average a year ago and good enough to lead the nation this week. Plackemeier, who boomed a 56-yard punt in the fourth quarter, had to also take on placekicking duties in the second half, as Matt Wisnosky struggled. Wisnosky missed a first half PAT and struggled on the ensuing kickoff. Plackemeier missed a 44-yard field goal attempt but made good on two extra points. Grobe says Plackemeier will handle both jobs again on Saturday.
The last time the Wolfpack and Deacons tangled in Winston-Salem, it was a war with State winning 17-14 in 2001. Don't be surprised if Saturday's game is a carbon copy, but with more points.
INJURIES--NC State: WR Andy Bertrand-Probable, groin; OL Brian Archis-Questionable, shoulder; OT Chris Colmer-Doubtful, brachial plexus. Wake Forest:RB Dominic Anderson-Out, knee; RB Chris Barclay-Probable, ankle; RB Cornelius Birgs-Probable, ankle; C Blake Lingruen-Questionable, knee sprain; OT Mark Moroz-Probable, knee.
