North Carolina State University Athletics
Amato Says Pack Has Work To Do
9/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. There were plenty of things for NC State head football coach Chuck Amato to like about Saturday night’s season-opening 23-10 victory over Appalachian State. A defense featuring six new starters held the run-happy Mountaineers to only 67 yards rushing and 133 yards overall. The running game, anchored by super sophomores Andre Brown and Toney
But Amato is under no illusions as his team begins its preparations this week for
“We’ve got a lot of work in front of us,” Amato said, “in all phases.”
Noting that the Pack is now minus two in turnover margin through one game, Amato expressed concerns about four turnovers against Appalachian, two of which led to all of ASU’s points. He said that some players were at times “lackadaisical” in the kicking game, although NC State did dominate special teams with the exception of one muffed punt reception.
What the seventh year coach isn’t terribly anxious about is a passing attack that really wasn’t used very much on Saturday. Relying mostly on Brown and
“I thought Marcus did a good job,” Amato said. “He did much better than he had a year ago. He stayed in the pocket much better. There were a couple of times where he went through his progression and he hit this one or that one, although they weren’t big gains. At halftime he was 7-of-10. I told our people if we don’t throw the ball in the second half, he’ll have a heck of a thing going for him; he’ll be leading the country in completion percentage.”
Stone attempted only three passes in the second half as the Pack stayed with the running game and kept the clock moving.
“He’s so critical of himself,” Amato said. “He was in their earlier watching some film and I ask him how he felt. He said I stunk.’ We laughed at it. I told him we all got our feet wet.’
But as the competition stiffens throughout the season, Amato also knows that his offense will, at some point, have to employ more of an attacking, vertical passing game to keep opposing defenses honest. When that time comes, he believes Stone will be ready.
“We’re confident,” said Amato. “One of the best things he’s done in our preseason is throw the deep one. We didn’t do it the other night. Their corners were playing way off and inside. When you do that, you’re kind of saying that you’re going to take away the deep one and the inside skinny post. There’s no doubt you’ve got to be able to throw. There is going to come a time when we’re going to have to throw the football. But am I concerned? Not at all.”
With NFL number one draft pick Mario Williams watching from the sidelines, the Wolfpack’s retooled defensive line repeatedly blew up Appalachian State running plays with penetration. Led by tackles Tank Tyler and DeMario Pressely, the Pack recorded 11 tackles for loss and four sacks.
End Ray Brooks, playing in his first game in two years, had two tackles behind the line of scrimmage and one sack. From the other side, Martrel Brown tallied a sack and two tackles for loss.
“It’s a good start, Amato said of the defense’s performance. “One game does not make a season. We’ve been pretty good on defense three out of the past four years and the standard has been set here. After the game I said I was impressed with the defensive line and I was. That’s where it all starts. After watching the film I become real critical. When you watch the film you say they’re not half as good as they can be.’ I thought DeMario the last few weeks has really come off the ball better than he ever has.”
NC State’s defense will certainly be put to the test by
“He’s awfully good throwing it,” Amato said of the
In
Injury Update: Three players who missed the Appalachian State game receiver Lamart Barrett (hamstring), center Luke Lathan (concussion) and linebacker Ernest Jones (knee) are all listed as probable for this weekend’s contest. Starting corner A.J. Davis is questionable after sustaining a hamstring strain early in the ASU contest. Cornerback Phillip Holloman (hamstring) is probable, as is starting offensive tackle Jon Holt (knee).
On his weekly television show on Sunday night, Amato announced that “The Walk of Champions” will move to a different location this week. Normally staged in front of the
