North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Tries to Bounce Back... Again
10/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2004
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - Can NC State be the bounce back Pack again? If nothing else, the Wolfpack has proven itself to be quite resilient this season. Twice already in 2004, NC State has gone on the road and posted impressive victories just a week after suffering disappointing defeats. It's a position coach Chuck Amato's team will be facing once again this Saturday when it travels to Death Valley for a high noon meeting with the Clemson Tigers (3-4, 2-3).
The Pack, coming off a 45-31 loss to 3rd ranked Miami on Saturday night, has seen this scenario played out before. After falling to Ohio State in week two, NC State bounced back the very next week with a hard-fought 17-16 win at Virginia Tech. Earlier this month, the Wolfpack recovered to down Maryland seven days after a gut-wrenching defeat at North Carolina.
Now 4-3 overall and 3-2 in ACC play, the Pack will literally be playing for its postseason life the rest of the way as it tries to secure enough wins over its last four games to nail down a fifth straight bowl invitation.
Another bounce-back win on Saturday would certainly go a long way in aiding that cause.
"I hope they don't stop [bouncing back]," Amato said. "They've done a good job of being able to come back. That's a part of sports. That's why a lot of people will hire youngsters that are in athletics because they know the ups and downs of life. They learn that you have to take the good with the bad and go on. It's an education on life in itself. Hey, it's time to prepare for another game."
Some key players, however, may not be able to participate in the next game. Right offensive tackle Derek Morris (high ankle sprain) will definitely be out this weekend, while center Leroy Harris is questionable with a sprained shoulder, although Amato said Harris could be closer to doubtful.
With starting center Jed Paulsen already down after undergoing ankle surgery, Amato says the situation with the offensive line is "critical."
James Newby has been working at left guard since Harris moved over to replace Paulsen, while Jon Holt is listed as the starter at right tackle now that Morris is unavailable. If Newby is called on to play right tackle at some point, Rickey Fowler would be available at left guard. Redshirt freshman Luke Lathan would likely be asked to take over at center if Harris can't go.
"It's nice to go in there and play next to the same guy the whole game, but at the same time, in practice, we rotate with each other," said senior left tackle Chris Colmer, who missed most of the Maryland game two weeks ago with a banged up shoulder. "During the game, you're not really thinking about it that much. You know guys are capable of doing the job like Luke and Jon Holt did."
There will also be extra pressure on the makeshift offensive line to limit the number of hits starting quarterback Jay Davis takes this Saturday since his backup, Marcus Stone, is listed as doubtful with a sprained knee. Amato said third string signal caller Chris Moore would definitely get more reps than usual this week. Moore, a 6-6 sophomore from Auburndale, Florida, has never taken a snap in a college game.
Georgia Tech Game Time on Hold: The ACC's national television partners - ABC and ESPN - have exercised their six day options on the games scheduled for the weekend of November 6, meaning game times for that Saturday probably won't be announced until this weekend. As a result, the contest between Georgia Tech and NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium could start at noon and be televised by either ESPN or Jefferson Pilot, or the game could also be chosen for ABC's 3:30 regional time slot.
