North Carolina State University Athletics
"In the Thick of It" with Gary Hahn
10/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 7, 2004
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No. 25 NC STATE (3-1, 2-0) at NORTH CAROLINA (2-3, 1-2)
DATE: Saturday, October, 9, 2004
TIME: Kickoff: 6:05 p.m. (EDT) Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC (60,000)
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network: 5:00 p.m. (EDT)
TELEVISION: WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (Time Warner Cable Digital Channel 213)
OPPONENT---- North Carolina played harder and much better against Florida State on Saturday than it did the previous week in a blowout loss to Louisville, but the Tar Heels failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities and fell 38-16 to the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium.
In his first college start, 'Noles quarterback Wyatt Sexton completed 10 of his first 11 passes and led scoring drives of 81 and 77 yards on FSU's first two possessions, helping the Seminoles (3-1, 2-1 ACC) build a 21-6 lead at the half. The sophomore took over the starting job in place of Chris Rix, who suffered a high ankle sprain in last week's win over Clemson, and finished with 193 passing yards. Sexton threw touchdown passes of five and 15 yards to Chauncey Stovall and a 15-yarder to Craphonso Thorpe. He finished 20-of-31 with an interception.
UNC's offense was 0-for-11 on third-down conversions and in three red-zone scoring opportunities had to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. Only two total yards separated the teams at halftime, but a Durant interception before the break led to Stovall's first scoring catch and a 15-point lead.
Durant, who finished 18-of-30 for 254 yards, one interception and one touchdown, led Carolina on its only touchdown drive early in the third quarter when he completed an 8-yard screen pass to Jawarski Pollock who finished the game with 100 receiving yards.
The Heels missed two other chances to continue to the comeback. Trailing 24-13 in the third quarter, Lionell Green intercepted a Sexton pass, but UNC's offense went three-and-out. The Tar Heels got the ball back four plays later, but had to punt again. Sexton then put the game out of reach with a scoring pass to Thorpe.
The FSU backfield duo of Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker helped take the pressure off Sexton. Washington carried for 153 yards and a touchdown while Booker rushed for 84 yards and also found the end zone once. Florida State finished with 249 yards on the ground and held a 442-363 edge in total yards.
Although Carolina's defense showed some improvement in Tallahassee, it remains the team's biggest liability. The Tar Heels are allowing an ACC worst 456 yards and 35.8 points a game. Their rushing defense is also last in the ACC surrendering a hefty 235 yards every time out.
Leading the defensive unit is middle linebacker, Fred Sparkman (6-2, 242, So.) who is the No. 2 tackler in the ACC averaging 10.2 stops per game. Defensive end, Tommy Davis is emerging as a force on a line that lost its best player, tackle Chase Page, to injury in preseason. Davis played his best game against FSU with 7 tackles (3 for loss) and a sack. In the secondary, sophomore cornerback, Jacoby Watkins, is stepping up, He had 8 tackles against the Seminoles and was ACC Defensive Back of the Week for his performance in a win over Georgia Tech.
While the Heels defense has struggled, its offense is still dangerous. Carolina is fourth in the ACC in total offense (404 ypg.) and is fifth in rushing (187 ypg.) while averaging 24.6 points a game. Senior quarterback, Darian Durant (5-11, 217) is the focal point of the attack. Until his performance against FSU, Durant was having an average year. However, he has always seemed to play well against NC State.
In three games against the Wolfpack, Durant has completed 58 percent of his passes for 717 yards and 7 touchdowns while rushing for 108 yards. No UNC player has ever thrown for 1,000 career yards against one opponent. Durant needs 283 yards to accomplish that on Saturday.
Durant's favorite target is wide receiver Jarwarski Pollock (5-8, 170). The senior set a UNC record with 71 receptions in 2003 and leads the team this season with 17 catches. Pollock had a career high in receptions (11) and receiving yards (134) in last year's loss to NC State. Sophomore, Adarius Bowman, leads the Heels in receiving yards (253) and touchdown catches (2).
When Carolina is able to successfully rush the ball, it wins. In its two victories, UNC ran for an average of 312 yards a game. In it's three losses, Carolina averaged 156 yards on the ground. Clearing the way is an offensive line with three first-year starters. Anchoring that unit is senior center, Jason Brown and senior tackle Willie McNeill, both three year starters.
The Heel's have been without the services of injured starting tailback, Ronnie McGill for the last two games, but he is expected to play against the Wolfpack. McGill leads the Heels in rushing touchdowns (4). Senior Jacque Lewis is the team's top rusher (406 yards) and gets 7.1 yards every time he carries the ball. Kentucky transfer, Chad Scott, has averaged 6.1 yards per carry on 36 attempts.
The kicking game for UNC has been up and down. The Tar Heels had a punt blocked by FSU and allowed 238 return yards in a loss at Virginia, but there have been bright spots. Sophomore, David Wooldridge, is fourth in the ACC with an average of 41.5 yards per punt while freshman Conor Barth has made 4 of 5 field goal attempts with a long of 37 yards.
Carolina has dangerous return men in Pollock and sophomore Mike Mason. Pollock is UNC's biggest weapon in the open field and has returned 13 punts for an 8.5 yard average. Mason is fifth in the ACC in kickoff returns averaging 22.7 yards per attempt.
The Wolfpack has won two straight games over Carolina and three of the last four in the series. The last two meetings at Kenan Stadium were also won by the Pack (2000 and 2002). This will be the 94th meeting between the two rivals--the fourth-most played series in ACC history. The team that has won the rushing advantage has won each of the last 12 games.
INJURIES--NC State: DE James Martin-Out, knee surgery; OT Merci Falaise-Out, knee; OG Luke Lathan-Questionable, knee sprain; LB LeRue Rumph-Doubtful, bicep tear; SS Andre Maddox-Questionable, hamstring; WR Sterling Hicks-Probable, ankle sprain; DT Dwayne Herndon-Probable, knee sprain.North Carolina: TB Ronnie McGill-Questionable, ankle sprain; OL Skip Seagraves-Out, broken foot; DT Chase Page-Out, torn finger tendon.
