North Carolina State University Athletics
PEELER: Pack Still Has Reachable Goals
11/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Editor's note: More than 4,000 toys were collected Saturday at the annual Toys for Tots drive prior to the NC State-Clemson football game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Fans also donated $15,580 in cash to the drive, which will be used to purchase toys for Triangle-area families in need. Coca-Cola contributed an additional $21,500 to the cause, by contributing $500 for each of the 43 the Wolfpack has scored this season. Finally, Coke donated another $2,750 through an on-field promotion at Saturday's game. All told, the third-annual NC State football campaign raised $39,830 in cash to go along with the toys.
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH, N.C. –Tom O'Brien isn't playing for next year, and neither are his players, especially those who won't have another season at NC State.
"We still have two games to play and the biggest one is this week against Virginia Tech," O'Brien said Monday afternoon at his weekly press conference. "Someone asked if we were going to start playing for next year and certainly we are not.
"We are going to get back on the practice field this week and see if we can make improvements and win a football."
The Wolfpack (4-6 overall, 1-5 ACC) travels to Blacksburg, Va., this week to face No. 16 Virginia Tech (7-3, 4-2) in its final road game of the season. The Wolfpack hosts traditional rival North Carollina at Carter-Finley Stadium in the regular-season finale for both teams.
O'Brien won't abide by anyone who isn't still working to win the team's final two games of the season, even if there is no possibility of postseason play. He expects each of his players to give a proper farewell to the team's dozen senior starters and veteran reserves.
"There is no sense not to play hard," O'Brien said. "We have played hard all year. It comes down to the leadership of the football team. Most of the seniors are playing really hard, and you would expect that, being their last year.
"We just don't have a lot of them to provide leadership in every place we need it."
And, while the season has not worked out as planned, primarily due to injuries like linebacker Nate Irving, offensive lineman R.J. Mattes, defensive end Jeff Rieskamp, wide receiver T.J. Graham and cornerback Rashard Smith, there are still reachable goals that can be accomplished.
"It would be big for us now if we finish .500.," said wide receiver Owen Spencer. "We have a lot to fight for. We want to go out and play well."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
