North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting Ready to Bowl: Comeback Kids Clash in Belk Bowl
12/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 27, 2011
Charlotte, N.C. - If known by any other name, this year's Belk Bowl could very well be dubbed the `Resiliency Bowl.' When NC State (7-5) and Louisville (7-5) were stumbling through the first six weeks of the 2011 football season, there was no rational reason to believe that either team would be collecting bowl gifts over the holidays.
But a funny, if not unexpected thing happened on the way to cold and dismal off-season's for both teams. Even as they were being written off as a pair of college football underachievers, the Wolfpack and Cardinals pulled off Lazarus-like comebacks to qualify for tonight's Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Game time is set for 8 p.m. Pregame coverage on the Wolfpack Sports Network starts at 7 p.m.
"I think both teams are very resilient," said coach Tom O'Brien, who is seeking his second straight bowl win at NC State. "Both teams appreciate the concept of not looking at the scoreboard or the clock and just keep playing the game. Sooner or later someone is going to tell you that the game is over and hopefully you'll have one more point than the other team."
NC State's early season hopes were sabotaged by crippling injuries to key front seven positions on defense. With six freshmen starting on offense and four more starting on defense, Louisville just needed time to mature as a football team. After posting a 2-4 record in the first half of the season, the Cardinals rebounded to win five of their last six, a sizzling streak that allowed them to tie West Virginia and Cincinnati for the Big East title with 5-2 conference mark.
"We were 2-4 at the time and had just lost to Cincinnati and I called a team meeting," said Louisville head coach Charlie Strong. "I said in the meeting that I was tired of doing all the talking. "I said `guys, it's time for someone else to stand up and talk.' Then the seniors started talking and guys opened up about what they expected of this football program. Then we went on to win five of our last six. We just started to play together as a football team."
Likewise, State rebounded from a 2-3 start to prevail in five of its last seven games. Once healthy, the defense started to look like the same unit that was often dominant in the preseason. The maturation of junior quarterback Mike Glennon, a first-year starter, also made the Wolfpack more lethal down the stretch. In season-ending ACC victories over Clemson and Maryland, Glennon completed 65 percent of his passes for 559 yards and eight touchdowns. For the season, he also tossed 28 scoring passes, third most in school history.
"It was just a question of playing and getting experience," O'Brien said. "He learned a lot as the year went on and you expect that. He studies the game, he works at it and he's already graduated, so he's already taking graduate courses so he can spend the time trying to be a better football player. His growth aided us as we went through the year."
Growth at the quarterback position also gave Louisville a better chance to compete in the second half of the season. Taking over as the starter on October 1, Teddy Bridgewater became a freshman All-American by throwing for 1,855 yards and 12 touchdowns. Bridgewater was extremely accurate as well, hitting 66 percent of his passes.
"It's been fun to watch him grow and watch him develop," Strong said. "The good thing about Teddy is that not only was he able to develop, but that whole offense developed. He's a quarterback with a lot of poise; nothing seems to rattle him. He also has the feet to get us out of trouble when people blitz."
And there will be plenty of blitzing in this game. Both teams tend to roll the dice on defense, choosing to send extra pass rushers in an effort to speed up opposing quarterbacks. NC State finished third in the ACC with 33 sacks in 12 games. Louisville got to the quarterback 32 times. Defensive ends Marcus Smith and William Savoy each had five sacks to lead the way.
Taking full advantage of the pressure up front, NC State led the nation in interceptions with 24. Sophomore corner David Amersonled the pick parade with 11, a figure that not only ranked No. 1 in the nation, but also tied the all-time ACC record held by North Carolina's Dre' Bly.
"He just has a feel and a nose for the football," said Strong. "But we can't allow one player to decide the outcome of the game for us. We're going to throw the ball where we need to throw it, whether he's in the vicinity or not."
For two teams that have been forced to scratch, claw and fight to get to this point, the opportunity to play a 13th game is something neither club has taken for granted. Resiliency, a byproduct of courage, toughness and determination, should be plentiful on Tuesday night.
"This is a key game for this football team," said O'Brien, who owns a 7-2 record as a head coach in bowl games. "They fought so hard. What you don't want to have happen is to just be happy to be here. Bowl games are won by teams that are hungry, teams that want to win football games. That has to be the focus."
By Tony Haynes
