North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: A "Friendly" Rivalry Resumes in Tallahassee
11/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 4, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - It's a moment that will be frozen in Marcus Hudson's mind forever. A freshman cornerback at NC State at the time, Hudson didn't want to exit the field after the Wolfpack had pulled off an unprecedented ACC coup by beating the Seminoles in Tallahassee. Incredibly, the Pack's stunning 34-28 win at Doak Campbell stadium in 2001 still remains an ACC first since no other league team has won there. And just as was the case back in 2001, few observers will be giving NC State (3-4, 1-4) much of a chance when it returns to the Florida Capital for another meeting with the `Noles (7-1, 5-1) this weekend.
But before the game starts, don't blame Marcus Hudson if he takes a moment to remember where he was on the field and what he was thinking after the Wolfpack's thrilling triumph his first year.
"I remember not wanting to leave the field," Hudson said. "Just the energy and excitement that we brought and our fans brought was crazy. The stadium was silent, but from the NC State family, there was so much noise that I can't explain it. I get chills just thinking about it."
The thought probably gives all NC State fans chills, while followers of Florida State shudder at the memory. FSU's program under Bobby Bowden is so great that the Seminoles make more news when they lose than when they win.
NC State, in fact, has made news three times. Under coach Mike O'Cain in 1998, the Wolfpack used six interceptions of Chris Weinke to whip FSU in Raleigh, 24-7. Then, back-to-back wins in 2001 and 2002 earned NC State the distinction of being the only ACC school to knock off the Seminoles as many as three times.
And although Florida State has rebounded to win the last two in the series, both games could have gone either way. For that reason, it wouldn't be a stretch to suggest that FSU's out of state rival is actually NC State.
"It's not a rivalry until you start beating them," Bowden explained. "When we got in the ACC and we went two or three years without anybody beating us, there were no rivalries. Once they start beating you....that's why NC State is there; they've beaten us three times. We're very leery of them."
And if this is indeed a rivalry, it's a friendly one. Once again on Wednesday night, the two head coaches - Bowden and NC State's Chuck Amato - put their friendship on public display by allowing all of us to listen in on them while they conversed on Amato's weekly radio show. It happens every year the week of the NC State - Florida State game. College football can be a cutthroat business, but Amato and Bowden remind us that friendship can trump the pettiness that often accompanies heated rivalries.
Since he ended his 18-year relationship with Bowden in Tallahassee, Amato has spoken almost weekly with his former coach.
"We have over the years talked almost once a week during football season," said Bowden, the winningest coach in Division one college football. "I don't have any other coaches I talk to that much. I think he's interested in what's going on down here and I'm interested in his success. I just think there's a closeness there that maybe some folks don't have."
Amato remains steadfast in his loyalty to the coaches that have paved his way. First, there was his coach at NC State, Earle Edwards. Then came Lou Holtz, Larry Smith (Arizona) and finally Bowden.
"I think I would be very foolish not to use him to my advantage if I need him," Amato said. "We're very good friends. We've probably gotten even closer since I left there."
The popular theory is that Amato's knowledge of Florida State's schemes and strategies has given NC State an edge in these games. But there's also another factor: Thirty-one players from the Sunshine State dot the Wolfpack roster.
"The guys from Florida get an opportunity to go back home and see family members," said Pack receiver and Deerfield Beach native Tramain Hall. "It's also knowing the fact that you get a chance to play against some of your high school rivals again because most of those guys went to Florida State. Also there's that stadium; it's a great atmosphere to play in."
And play they will on Saturday at 3:30. At stake for Florida State will be the Atlantic Division title. With a win, the Seminoles will clinch a spot in the first ever ACC Championship game. For NC State, it will be a continued fight for respectability, not to mention the opportunity to keep its slim bowl hopes alive.
And for Marcus Hudson, it will be one more chance to step on the field that brings back so many memories.
"When I played against Florida State my first year, I was playing against my big brother (Jerel), who's a person that I picked up a lot of stuff from," Hudson said. "I just look at coach Amato being under coach Bowden for such a long time and our systems being so similar. It's almost like we're playing our big brother. There's no better feeling than going up against somebody that you learned so much from. It's just a challenge that you're ready for."
