North Carolina State University Athletics
Amerson Enters Spotlight
10/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - In the Pack's 28-14 win over Virginia, the NC State defense turned in its best "start to finish" performance of the season Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien said at Monday's press conference. O'Brien praised the team's total defensive effort, but gave special attention to cornerback David Amerson's game-changing performance.
Amerson hauled in two interceptions on the afternoon, returning his second for a touchdown to clinch the game. The effort brought Amerson's FBS-leading season total to eight, and earned him a second-straight ACC Defensive Back of the Week honor.
"Linebacker coach John Tenuta thinks he’s one of the top five corners that he has ever been around talent-wise, and he’s been around some good corners," said O'Brien.
His eight interceptions on the year ties a 73-year old school record, set by Art Rooney in 1937 and again in 1938, and pulls him within three picks of the ACC single-season record of 11 set by UNC's Dre Bly in 1996. With his next interception, Amerson will tie 2010 national leader Jayron Hosley of Virginia Tech for the most in a single season by an ACC player since Bly.
Despite starting nine games as a true freshman in 2010, the Greensboro native failed to record an interception until this year.
"As a freshman, he played the boundary," said O'Brien. "Assignment wise, we had a lot of flat coverage and could play into the boundaries. He’s a physical enough kid. He gained confidence as the year went on. Certainly we talked about it before the bowl game but waited until spring practice and then moved him to the field corner because of his abilities."
Through seven games this season, Amerson holds the national lead by three over his nearest competitor and boasts multiple-pick contests against Liberty, Central Michigan, and Virginia.
Amerson will hope to put together another strong outing against a Florida State offense that O'Brien characterized as "explosive".
"[Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel] is another dual-threat guy," said O'Brien. "He has a big strong arm and he’s a tough guy to get on the ground when he pulls the ball down and takes it. He’s a 230-pound guy, he’s a big strong runner. He’s not afraid to pull it down and run with it. They run option and run the zone read scheme, they do all those things with him. He’s very capable to take off and run."
Saturday's game is slated for a noon kickoff in Tallahassee with coverage provided by ESPNU.
