North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Wolfpack Mum on Bowl Talk
11/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
BY TONY HAYNES
Raleigh, N.C. When the word bowl’ was used in the middle of a question on Monday, all NC State linebacker Ernest Jones could think about was a bowl full of his favorite cereal. And in case you’re wondering, Jones’ preference would be Cap’n Crunch.’
“The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about bowl is cereal right now,” Jones said with tongue planted firmly in cheek. “We have the
The fact that coach Tom O’Brien and his players are even being asked questions about possible bowl games is quite remarkable given the obstacles the Wolfpack has overcome just to get back to the .500 mark.
When the Pack was 1-5 at the halfway point of its season, a scenario in which NC State could even be considered for bowl eligibility seemed about as realistic as conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh being elected mayor of Berkeley, California.
And while neither Berkeley nor Rush will be changing their political stripes anytime soon, NC State has changed, going from being an ACC cellar dweller to postseason contender thanks to four amazing weeks of football.
When the guys wearing bright colored jackets show up at Groves Stadium to take in the Big Four battle between the Wolfpack (5-5, 3-3) and Deacons (6-4, 4-3) Saturday at 4 p.m., they’ll be there to watch both teams. Yes, bowl scouts are suddenly intrigued by a red hot NC State team that has used a four-game winning streak to put itself in a position to dream about postseason possibilities.
O’Brien, however, has other ideas. The Pack’s first-year head coach scoffs at the bowl talk, insisting that the subject is off-limits inside the walls of the
“Six wins don’t guarantee you anything,” O’Brien said. “As a team, I told them we’re not talking about it; talk is cheap. We got this way by focusing one week at a time on the opponent we’re playing and by winning. If we do that then good things will happen at the end of the year.”
O’Brien’s demeanor isn’t much different than it was when NC State was 1-5. Just as he gave no indication of being overly distraught when the Wolfpack was struggling, he isn’t about to cave in to the temptation of being satisfied at a time when things are going well.
He can only hope his team can maintain the same kind of even-keeled approach, especially in the aftermath of Saturday’s emotional triumph over the Tar Heels. The proverbial
“That’s a concern and we’ve addressed it,” said O’Brien. “I think that’s the only problem with having a game of this magnitude within the course of the year. Thinking about it now, it may be better doing it in October and have an off-week afterwards. You can’t really enjoy it until the season is over. Since the break, the last four weeks have been really big wins for this football team because each week it’s gotten more important. I think that’s the good part of this. It’s November, we’re in must win situations and we have our backs to the wall. We’re not playing for the conference title yet or for a national championship yet, but all this adds up in the preparation and how you get ready to do it. It’s great that you’re playing for something now in November.”
When it tangles with Wake on Saturday, NC State could make the case that it's playing for an imagined championship of sorts. Having secured wins over East Carolina and
“There’s really not a state championship, but it’s very important,” said center Luke Lathan. “If we can beat the teams in our state, it helps our chances to go to a bowl.”
This amazing late season run started with what at the time seemed like an improbable win on the road at ECU. It was in the bye week prior to that game that O’Brien and his staff found a way to pull this team together and get it turned in the right direction. The results have been stunning, if not unexpected.
“During that bye week he just talked to us in practice and said I know we’re better than this,’” Lathan recalled. “He told us that we’d been beating ourselves and that it was important that we come together as a group and put aside individual goals. He said we needed to be very successful in the second half to leave a legacy for this program. I was glad we won against ECU and we got our confidence up.”
The Pack’s growing confidence has been particularly evident the last two weeks. After falling behind 10-0 at
Against
Quite often, properly handling success requires as much mental toughness as dealing with failure. This week’s test is to move past
“It takes a lot of maturity, responsibility and leadership on your football team,” O’Brien said. “It has to come within the team. I can say it to them, but if they refuse to listen then it doesn’t do any good. Even after Sunday’s practice, you hear so many kids talking about focus and what we have to do. The goal is to be better this week. As long as they believe it and then go show it these next three days on the practice field, we’ll have a chance on Saturday.”
Injury Update: Running back Andre Brown, who has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his foot at
Radio Show: Coach O’Brien’s weekly radio show will air on Tuesday of this week from 8-9 p.m. In the seven o’clock hour, men’s basketball coach Sidney Lowe will be on the air with his first radio show of the new season. Both shows will originate from the food court at Crabtree Valley Mall and all Pack fans are invited to attend.
Nov. 24 Start Time: NC State's final regular season game against Maryland at Carter-Finley Stadium will begin at noon and will be televised by the ACC/Lincoln Financial Network.
