North Carolina State University Athletics
'In the Thick of It' with Gary Hahn
10/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 28, 2004
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NC STATE (4-3, 3-2) at CLEMSON (3-4, 2-3)
DATE: Saturday, October 30, 2004
TIME: Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. (EDT) Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC (81,473)
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network: 11:00 a.m.
(EDT)
TELEVISION: espn2
OPPONENT----Some late game heroics and a controversial call helped Clemson to a 10-7 victory over Maryland on October 23rd, at Memorial Stadium. The Terps led for 53 minutes until the Tigers, aided by a disputed pass-interference penalty, drove 58 yards in less than two and a half minutes for the go-ahead touchdown.
Facing third-and-goal at the Maryland 4 with 28 seconds left, Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst tossed a lob into the end zone for Kelvin Grant. Maryland cornerback Gerrick McPhearson was flagged for pass interference, a call the Terrapins vehemently argued. One play later, tailback Reggie Merriweather twisted over the goal line on a two-yard scoring run with 23-seconds left.
Before its winning drive, Clemson had gained 26 yards on 28 plays during seven second-half possessions. The Tigers were booed off the field on their preceding drive and Whitehurst (14 of 31, 170 yards, five sacks) had misfired on 13 of his previous 16 throws.
Meanwhile, Clemson's defense rose to the occasion by holding Maryland's struggling offense to 194 yards and intercepting two passes. The Terrapins entered the game with 172 yards combined in their previous two games.
Maryland quarterback, Joel Statham, completed only 14-of-31 passes for 111 yards and was intercepted twice. The Terrapins, who ran for only 83 yards on 37 carries, failed again to score more than seven points in a game since a 55-21 victory over Duke on September 25.
Josh Allen's one-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter gave Maryland a 7-0 lead and it looked like it would be enough in a game dominated by defense and field position.
Jad Dean's 21-yard field goal with 9-seconds to play before halftime was all the offense the Tigers could muster before putting together the go-ahead drive in the fourth. Merriweather picked up 60 yards on 17 carries to lead the Tigers in rushing.
For the second straight year, Clemson finds itself again with its back to the post-season wall. Four games to play with a 3-4 record, the Tigers must win three more to qualify for a bowl invitation. They made a successful stretch run last year, but a sputtering offense makes this team more of a mystery.
Victories against Utah State and Maryland put the swagger back in a defense that three weeks ago gave up 464 yards and 30 points to Virginia. Clemson has limited each of its last two opponents to fewer than 200 yards and to one touchdown. Special teams have also been a weapon, but mistakes by that unit cost the Tigers a win against Georgia Tech and Maryland's only touchdown was set-up by a blocked punt.
Offensively, Clemson is still searching for consistency. Whitehurst, a redshirt junior (6-4, 225) is third in the ACC in passing (194 ypg.), but he's thrown a league-leading 13 interceptions. Plus, the Tigers have allowed 17 sacks and are dead last in rushing (99 ypg.).
Perhaps nothing has hurt the Tigers offense more than turnovers. Clemson is last in the ACC in turnover margin (-11) and has given up the football 17 times in 7 games. Just ahead of Clemson in the turnover department is NC State (-10).
Even with all the mistakes, Clemson has some dangerous offensive weapons. When he's on, Whitehurst is as good as there is in the ACC and he has some quality receivers. Senior Airese Curry (5-11, 185) leads the ACC in receptions (40), receptions per game (5.7) and receiving yards per game (77.3). No. 2 receiver, Kelvin Grant, a redshirt sophomore (6-2, 215) has 20 catches while veteran tight end, Ben Hall, has made the most of his receptions. He's hauled in seven throws for a team-leading 18.1 yards per catch and a touchdown.
Merriweather, with 306 yards (5.5 ypc.) and 4 touchdowns, leads the Tigers in rushing and is complemented by junior Duane Coleman (5-10, 200) and veteran Yusef Kelly (6-0, 230). The offensive line lost both its starting tackles from last year's unit, but appears to be playing better of late.
Clemson's defense has held it's last two opponents to 13 total points, 333 yards of total offense, 63 rushing yards, and 2.6 yards per play. The leader of the Tigers defense is linebacker, Leroy Hill (6-1, 225, Sr.). He ranked No. 2 nationally in tackles last year. This season, Hill is No. 2 in the ACC in stops (11 per game) and is tied for the league lead in sacks (7.0).
Defensive ends, Charles Bennett (6-4, 245, Jr.) and senior Maurice Fountain (6-4, 265) anchor the Tigers defensive line. Fountain has played in 45-straight games. The Tigers lead the ACC in sacks (30).
The secondary is a veteran group and is the strength of the defense. Redshirt junior cornerback, Ty Hill, leads the ACC in pass break-ups (10) while the other corner Justin Miller (5-11, 200, Jr.) has 11 career interceptions. Strong safety, Travis Pugh (6-1, 200, Sr.) is Clemson's No. 2 tackler (58 stops) and leads the team with 2 interceptions. Jamaal Fudge (5-10, 190, Jr.) the free safety, is a two-year starter.
Like NC State, the Tigers have not been able to force many turnovers (6) and have been outscored 35-0 this season in points off turnovers.
Clemson has one of the best kicking games in the ACC and has scored 28 points off special teams this year. The Tigers lead the ACC in kickoff returns (30.2 ypr.) and are No. 2 in punt returns (13.6 ypr.).
Justin Miller's 33.9 yard kick return average leads the ACC and his 15.2 yards per punt return is No. 2 in the league. Miller has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season against Florida State and recorded a 69-yard punt return for a TD versus Wake Forest.
Clemson has blocked three kicks this season and its punt coverage has been very good. Against Maryland, the Tigers held Steve Suter, the ACC's career punt return leader, to three yards or less on four of his six returns.
Redshirt sophomore punter Cole Chason (6-0, 165) has a 40.8-yard season average, including a career-best 45 yard average against Maryland. The Tigers have converted 5 of 7 field goal attempts with redshirt junior, Stephen Furr and sophomore Jad Dean alternating.
NOTES: The Tigers current two-game winning streak followed a four-game losing slide. NC State has won the last two meetings with Clemson. The Tigers offensive coordinator is former Wolfpack head coach Mike O'Cain. NC State defensive coordinator Reggie Herring spent eight seasons at Clemson. Justin Miller needs 104 kickoff return yards to become Clemson's career leader. The Wolfpack is No. 2 nationally in total defense (234 ypg.) and pass defense (121 ypg.). NC State is seeking its third ACC road win of the season.
INJURIES--NC State: C Jed Paulsen-Out, ankle surgery; OT Merci Falaise-Out, knee; OT Derek Morris-Out, high ankle sprain; CB Dovonte Edwards-Probable, quad bruise; C/OG Leroy Harris-Questionable, shoulder sprain; QB Marcus Stone-Doubtful, knee sprain. Clemson:LB Eric Sampson-Out, broken jaw; WR Chansi Stuckey-Doubtful, ankle; LB Anthony Waters-Questionable, knee sprain; DT Chris McDuffie-Questionable, thigh bruise.
