North Carolina State University Athletics
Carter-Finley Stadium's Wettest Game
8/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. -- On Sept. 4, 1999, the world finally got an answer to the age-old question: How much does Lou Holtz weigh soaking wet?
That's the night the diminutive Holtz, in his first game as South Carolina's head coach, arrived at Carter-Finley Stadium at the same time as Tropical Storm Dennis in one of the wettest games in NC State football history. For Holtz, it was a return to his old stomping grounds. The Hall of Fame coach led the Wolfpack for four years from 1972-75, appearing in four consecutive post-season bowls and winning the 1973 ACC title.
For Dennis, it was an opportunity to soften up the ground for several other storms to follow that season, creating some of the worst flooding in the history of eastern North Carolina.
The rain came down in sheets all night long, aided by wind gusts of up to 30 miles an hour. Several inches of rain fell on the field, creating a sloppy, soupy mess for the players. The Gamecocks dropped the ball eight times throughout the course of the game, losing four fumbles to the Wolfpack.
Holtz admitted his team was unprepared for such miserable conditions.
“There was only one other time I can remember worse conditions than these one time when I was at William & Mary,” said Holtz, who wore seven different rain jackets during the contest. “Other than that, it was by far the worst conditions ever.
“I never saw it rain like this when I was here. And we never got to practice for this game in the rain. Every time we had some rain, we had lightning, too, and we aren't quick enough to practice in lightning.”
The Wolfpack won the game 10-0 despite gaining only 96 yards in total offense, thanks to a fourth-quarter blocked punt by defensive back Brian Williams that wide receiver Koren Robinson recovered for a touchdown. Otherwise, both teams were stymied in their attempts to move the ball.
South Carolina had its only touchdown called back because of a penalty.
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
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