North Carolina State University Athletics
One Last Chance
9/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2004
By Brandon Yopp - When the Wolfpack took the field against Richmond, 12 members of the 2004 squad began their last season of collegiate football. No more interviews, photo shoots, team meetings, or bus rides. Most of all, no more practice and no more games. The majority of these student-athletes have played football for the past eight or nine years, and for some it will all come to an end in a little over four months. That's reality.
For one senior, fullback Chance Moyer, his senior season came very close to not happening at all. During the 2003 campaign, lost somewhere between the David versus Goliath battle at Ohio State, and the hype surrounding Philip Rivers, one of the best college quarterbacks in history, Moyer found himself in a difficult situation. Unhappy with his performance on the field, he wondered if that season would prove to be his last.
"There was a time when I wasn't going to come back for this season," Moyer said. "I was down in the dumps and I really didn't feel like I was putting forth a good effort for this team. I felt like I had drifted away from football."
Unsure of what to do, Moyer sought the opinions and guidance of his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and even Mrs. Katie Cotchery, mother of former Wolfpack standout and current New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery.
One person who had a tremendous effect on Moyer during this tumultuous time was offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. Fresh off the scene at Oregon State, Mazzone already had his plate full with learning the NC State system and adjusting to life in Raleigh. Still, Mazzone didn't hesitate to take time out for Moyer and show him some guidance.
"Coach Mazzone is just one of those all-around good ol' guys," Moyer said. "Once he came in, he added a new spark to the way NC State approached its offense. He brought something back in me that I had lost for a little bit. I had lost that drive and my ability to think that I was a football player. After talking to Coach Mazzone all of that changed. He's a motivator and he tells you the truth right then and there. He'll get on you when you make mistakes, but when you are playing well and coming up big, he'll be the first one there to tell you what a good job you are doing."
During the Tangerine Bowl, Moyer decided that his mind was made up and he would come back and carry out his senior season with the Pack. Excited about his decision and the team's effort on the field against the Kansas Jayhawks, Moyer informed the coaches of his decision on the sidelines during the game. After telling the coaching staff of his plans, there was one person that Moyer didn't forget to share the good news with.
"Last year I told Jerricho Cotchery's mom that I was thinking about not coming back," Moyer said. "After the Tangerine Bowl I found her and told her that I had changed my mind and would play my final season. She told me that she had been praying for me and that her prayers were answered. She also told me that this coming season was going to be my year. That's the kind of atmosphere we have at NC State. That's a family."
With spring drills and summer workouts under his belt, you can count on one thing; Chance Moyer expects this to be his year.
"A lot of people have told me that they think this is going to be my year and that has given me the confidence and the motivation to push myself, work harder, and make a statement," Moyer said. "This year people are definitely going to see a different side of me on the field. We really haven't been that fullback-oriented the past few years, but I really believe there is a good chance that I will be more involved this season and I am looking forward to stepping up.
"I am going to be a lot more aggressive. I feel like in the past I haven't put 100% out on the field. This year I am going to lay it all out there and leave it on the field. I've only got one more year, so what do I have to lose? I've got to make that statement and I feel like this is my year."
On top of holding high expectations for himself, Moyer is equally excited about this season and the direction of the Wolfpack football program in general. When talking football with Moyer, you can't help but begin to understand the difference between the program now and when he first stepped foot on campus.
"The biggest improvement in our team since when I first arrived is our attitude," Moyer said. "We are getting better athletes now than we have ever had and these guys are winners. We know that we can win big games and that really helps you out on the field. We are also starting to get some depth too. Look at the Ohio States, and Florida States and Miamis of the football world. NC State is recruiting a lot of the same kids as they are, and we are finally starting to get the type of depth that keeps those teams on the top. Coach Chuck Amato and our staff have brought us to that point and it's only going to get better."
Nay-sayers may argue that the Pack has a long row to hoe this season. In addition to adding Virginia Tech and Miami to the conference, the Wolfpack faces a schedule that was ranked sixth-toughest in the nation by NationalChamps.net. On top of that, No. 17 no longer stands behind the center on offense. Moyer doesn't care about the critics and he doesn't wonder about what might happen. In light of all the uncertainty, Moyer remains confident in his coaches, his teammates, and most importantly, himself.
"Coach Amato is going to put out the best schedule he can, and he is going to get the best facilities he can," Moyer said. "Coach Amato is going to get the football team that he wants and he is going to win. Everything runs down from him. We're ready for this season and we want the best. We want to win, and we need a schedule like this to prove who we are."
With Ohio State, Miami and Florida State coming to town, as well as road trips to Virginia Tech, Clemson and rival North Carolina, Moyer and the gang will certainly have their chance to make a statement this season. As long and tough as this schedule appears to be on paper, don't be surprised if Moyer turns his game up a notch and opens some eyes against tough competition. After all, this is his last chance. If anyone plans to make the most of it, it's him.
