Friday Farrago

'11 Football ACC & Other College Football112

September 23, 2011

NC STATE FOOTBALL

ncsu helmet

J.P. GIGLIO (N&O)
Wolfpack deflated in Cincinnati loss

If it could go wrong for N.C. State on Thursday night, it did.

Cincinnati turned the national showcase game on ESPN against the Wolfpack into a national embarrassment with a 44-14 bludgeoning at Nippert Stadium.

N.C. State (2-2) was hoping for a bounce-back from a loss in its first game against a major Division I opponent this season. Instead it took a step back with a barrage of turnovers and mental miscues.
“Any time you lose like that, it’s an embarrassing loss,” senior linebacker Audie Cole said.

The stat to best sum up N.C. State’s performance? Minus-19 rushing yards, compared to 242 for the Bearcats (3-1).

J.P. GIGLIO (N&O)
Observations

N.C. State has major issues on defense but it clearly misses running back Mustafa Greene. The Wolfpack had minus-21 rushing yards in the first half of Thursday night’s game at Cincinnati.

Take away Mike Glennon’s negative yards for sacks, and Curtis Underwood (four carries, 3 yards) and James Washington (two carries, minus-1 yard) still could barely break positive yardage.

Akula Wolf (BackingthePack.com)
Cincinnati 44, NC State 14

Eventually Rece Davis had to bring up what he termed the “elephant in the room,” though the references to said elephant didn’t come nearly as often as I would have guessed beforehand. Let’s bear one thing in mind before this spirals out of control, because the Russell Wilson ordeal was the big news of the off-season and will be the overriding topic throughout the rest of 2011: you remember when Russell Wilson was here and we had a defense that was awful? NC State won a total of five games, two of which came against I-AA teams. We’re going to hear about how much Wilson could help this team, and I love him and I’m sure he could, but I’m not going to sleep tonight worrying about the quarterback position, and neither should you. Shit’s hitting the fan much harder in many other places.

GoPack.com
Pack Falls at Cincinnati 44-14

NC State entered tonight’s game with two red-shirt senior defensive linemen on the sidelines and a third defensive lineman back home in Raleigh. By halftime, one more was down (Brian Slay) and another was hobbled (A.J. Ferguson). Starting weakside linebacker Terrell Manning also missed tonight’s game after undergoing knee surgery on Monday.

Senior Audie Cole’s 15 tackles on the night marks a new single-game best for the linebacker.

Sophomore cornerback David Amerson picked off his fourth pass of the season in the second quarter tonight. He entered the contest leading the ACC and tied for second nationally with one per game and now has more picks than any other player in the FBS ranks.

TheWolfpacker.com
Cincinnati crushes Pack

Matt Carter (TheWolfpacker.com)
Quick Hits from NCSU’s loss at Cincinnati

That was bad

No way to beat around it or spin it. NC State got whooped on a nationally televised game. The Pack got spanked on the line of scrimmage, and no stat tells that better than the rushing yards. NC State ran for negative-26 yards net. The longest gain was a 12-yard scramble from redshirt junior quarterback Mike Glennon. NC State quarterbacks were sacked seven times. This was the first time that State had been held to negative yards since they were stopped for negative-13 yards against South Carolina in 1987.

For the Bearcats, that was the third lowest rushing total they ever allowed and the fewest since negative-34 yards against Wichita State in 1974. Cincinnati meanwhile rushed for 240 yards and gave up just one sack. NC State never once reached the red zone and allowed Cincinnati to convert 9 of 16 third downs, which has clearly emerged as a significant problem for the Pack this year.

TheWolfpacker.com
Cincinnati locker room report

On their first punt changing things:

“That was a big play. Even though we gave up the PI to give them the first down, still the field position was critical. I thought that was a big part of the game with Pat’s (O’Donnell) punt. Obviously we answered the call and we were very opportunistic again on defense which is great. I thought our defensive front did a great job of applying pressure and we knew we couldn’t let him sit back in the pocket, he is too good of a quarterback. We needed to disrupt their rhythm of their timing and their throw game and our defensive front did a good job.”

Tim Sullivan (TheWolfpacker.com)
Cincinnati dominates NCSU, 44-14

A career day for wide receiver T.J. Graham was spoiled when his seven catches for 176 yards was not enough production for NC State to avoid a 44-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats.

“I don’t look at the numbers at all,” said Graham. “I’d rather win. I’d rather catch zero balls, make a couple blocks, and win the game. I had a couple drops and I had a fumble that was recovered by the defense, so I didn’t have a very good day.”

Packpride.com
BOX SCORE: Cincinnati 44, NC State 14

Associated Press
Pack Falls To Bearcats, 44-14

About 1.21 Jigawatts

Class of '98, Mechanical Engineer, State fan since arriving on campus and it's been a painful ride ever since. I live by the Law of NC State Fandom, "For every Elation there is an equal and opposite Frustration."

'11 Football ACC & Other College Football

112 Responses to Friday Farrago

  1. Baccapacker 09/23/2011 at 11:26 AM #

    I wanted Leach when we hired O’Brien. Don’t know if that would have a chance in hell of happening but his offense would indeed be sick and you can bet your ass recruiting would pick up. With UNC about to get hammered we need to get this next one right and take advantage in the state. The next hire will be a shit or get off the pot hire in my eyes.

  2. GAWolf 09/23/2011 at 11:28 AM #

    Mike Leach is an interesting move for a lot of reasons but it would also be similar to the Gottfried hire in that it’s a second chance opportunity of sorts.

  3. Ed89 09/23/2011 at 11:34 AM #

    I like 2nd chance opportunity guys. At this point, I’d prefer just about anyone over the bland, no personality, non-motivating coach we have. I could actually get over the fact I dislike TOB if he won, but he doesn’t. And not only does he not win much (even with RW), he gets blown out alot.

  4. Pack1969E 09/23/2011 at 11:35 AM #

    Many of you have aptly expressed my sentiments, but let me say I have followed the Pack since the ’50’s. A former heavy hitter for those of you who remember the N&O’s negative connotation. Other than a few flashes in the fire, we have not established a winning tradition. That my friends calls for the aforementioned CULTURAL CHANGE. Goodby TOB, Bible, Archer…the entire staff. Become a winner. Ante up the dollars – hard to do in this situation; but that is what it takes to field winners from top down. Get the recruiting and marketing on track. To those who advocate patience…tomorrow will come: BS. WTF? Get rid of those who accept defeat with dignity. Some of us are running out of time to see a winner develop in the current CULTURE. JK3, BJD95 and the likes keep on writing. To the dreamers, Recognize, Understand, and Act. I will hang in there and keep hoping.

  5. EasternWakeWolf 09/23/2011 at 11:38 AM #

    Tommy Bowden? Mark Richt, if GA makes the move?

  6. OldWuf 09/23/2011 at 11:39 AM #

    Tired of the injury thing with TOB. After 5 years he should have the depth and talent to recover without much setback. I agree with others that TOB already “peaked” in his career and is coasting. I love him but the results are not there. I don’t believe he can recover from this September’s collapse.

  7. Skeeball 09/23/2011 at 11:39 AM #

    We gotta do something. NCSU football is the land of misfit toys. Where are you rudolph?

  8. sundropdrinker13 09/23/2011 at 11:43 AM #

    The frequency and number of the injuries is what concerns me. For some reason we are ALWAYS hurt.

    I think that the reason Glennon focus’ on 1 player is because he knows he is not going to have enough time in the pocket to scan the field and is just waiting for the receiver to get to the right spot before he throws it. This Oline is HORRIBLE.

    Everyone knows about the defense now.

    A coaching staff that can’t make a change is a coaching staff that is not going to be around for much longer.

    I refuse to accept the status quo that we will always be terrible in football. You will never change if that is what you accept. But like someone else said, it starts at the top. If Yow really wants to win, then TOB is gone after this year. As to who our new coach will be, I have no idea.

  9. Prowling Woofie 09/23/2011 at 11:52 AM #

    Yeah, Glennon was locking in on a primary target, leading directly to his second pick, and a few that should’ve been. There were several times he tried to laser the ball to his receiver, who was behind his man, when the proper throw would’ve been to put some air under the ball and let the receiver continue running in stride for the touchdown.

    But, given the fact that he knows he has less than 2 seconds to get rid of the ball, he’s doing a pretty good job. He’s not the reason we won’t win another game this season.

    That falls squarely on the shoulders of TOB. Blame Archer (he sucks and has always sucked) and Bible (unimaginative, boring, predictable), but the buck stops with TOB. If BMFD was responsible in the Hole, then TOB is responsible in Raleigh. No ifs, ands, or buts.

    I like the Mike Leach suggestion. Let’s go for an upgrade, folks – one that recruits will notice – and get someone in here that kids want to play for.

    How much is Urban’s TV contract ???

  10. Rajanwolf 09/23/2011 at 11:57 AM #

    I think I may have hurt something laughing at the Badgerfansnation thing up top lol. BJ I’m not in the doldrums as far as you, but I do think we need a change here. Injuries have defintely limited our ability to compete up front on defense but we also seem to lack the will and aggression to push forward at any point in the defensive scheme. We don’t get a push up front, the linebackers seem to be on their heels and running east west instead of moving up to the line, the DB’s play a cushion loose enough I think I could five yard out all day and walk down the field.

    Offensively I’ve always been a fan of a great running game, I guess it’s my Steeler love coming out but we are absolutely putrid with our offensive schemes. We make vanilla look like rocky road, and we may have some speed at running back but I’m honestly sick of seeing a RB go down when someone arm slapped him on the leg with no wrap up. Where is the misdirection in our scheme, the subterfuge, the innovation?

    Glennon other than locking down on a receiver has been solid I don’t see him as a problem, but he doesn’t have the ability to pull a rabbit out of the hat like Russell could. He’s not hurting us by any means, and everyone should be glad he is here, or we could go back to the Davis, Evans and Beck years.

    I’m not going to take the pessimistic route,, I’m hoping with some healthy DT’s and a little bit of leadership we can turn it around,, otherwise I’m ready for something new on the field.

  11. wolfpacker 09/23/2011 at 11:59 AM #

    What’s TOB’s deal with Archer? He has to see that the guy isn’t getting the job done. I can’t believe he was HIRED in the first place, KENTUCKY BASICALLY FIRED HIM. We chose Kentucky’s REJECT to run our DEFENSE? His stats from Kentucky as the DC, job are pathetic. What was TOB thinking? If you hire someone, you don’t go out and get someone with REALLY BAD STATS.

    Let me guess, in the interview, he probably insisted the schemes were too difficult and his team had too many injuries, that’s why his stats were so bad. This guy, Mike Archer HAS GOT TO GO!

  12. BJD95 09/23/2011 at 12:04 PM #

    We had a narrow window of opportunity – the SEC machinations. A once in a lifetime rebranding shot. As a second tier job in a second tier conference without a good natural recruiting base…I see no reason for the slightest bit of optimism.

    And both “second tier” assessments are generous.

  13. JSRy2k 09/23/2011 at 12:14 PM #

    Wonder if O’Brien is regretting the Horton-Bridge coaching switch? For me the O-Line is the most disappointing aspect of this team. This staff is known for putting linemen in the NFL? Really? Really?! Coulda’ fooled me.

  14. MISTA WOLF 09/23/2011 at 12:14 PM #

    must say that I’m very happy for Russell. Im glad he plays for a solid football team and deson’t have to take part in the shit show we all seen last nite.

    I also have to thank the football team for allowing me to get in the bed at a decent time so I could go to school and teach the children. There’s nothing like being at school and hearing your middle schoolers talking about NC State getting owned.

    Lastly, Is it me or did TOB look like he could give 10 shits less whether we won or loss last nite?

  15. runwiththepack 09/23/2011 at 12:17 PM #

    I should win an award (or a straight-jacket?) for watching the whole game. It will take a small miracle to have a winning season and a bowl now, even if all those injured players return, with most of our toughest games still ahead.

    There is one player on this team that may be this year’s Nate Irving – Sweezey. He was flagged for over-celebrating a couple years ago. I love how he plays as though there is no place else he would rather be than banging heads. Get a couple more of those DL’s back, and this defense will look SO much better. Maybe enough to matter, esp. if they play with heart.

    That’s not to say that the DC shouldn’t be canned. Maybe Bible, too. And maybe HC if we go 3-9, but otherwise not until next year. Stranger things have happened. For the sake of our program, i don’t want to see a losing season after 9-4 in ’10. I’m betting that TOB will make changes, perhaps before the end of the season.

    BJD, I’m not quite as pessimistic as you – yet. I just don’t want to gnash my teeth until i absolutely have to. I can’t fault you for what you said, though i still hold out hope for a late-season surge – again.

    But i also don’t look forward to a coaching search, even with Yow at AD. It will be even worse than the basketball HC search. So, i consider it a last resort. I don’t think any up-and-coming coach will come to Raleigh for much less than Butch Davis money, and that may not even be quite enough.

    That said, I am now just hoping NCSU makes another late-season surge. I like Glennon more and more with each passing week. Glennon has been put into an awful situation –
    had not played since high school,
    very disappointing OL,
    and the vaunted defense spots our opponents a 3 TD lead,

    (thus causing the offense to change game plan), etc… yet he may be near the top in ACC qb rating.

    Regarding fiery HC, I think it’s more important for the coordinators to be fiery and/or inspire the players to be fiery. They have more contact with the players during the game. Should it come to replacing TOB, i hope NCSU doesn’t hire a successful coordinator. Seems like that doesn’t translate very well to successful HC.

  16. TheCOWDOG 09/23/2011 at 12:22 PM #

    The mood of your former players is much the same as their former fans.

    We would rather rub our eyes with Habanero peppers than observe another ill prepared, frightened, State football team.

  17. Prowling Woofie 09/23/2011 at 12:33 PM #

    “Contact with the players”

    And Bible is where during the game ????

    Oh yeah – in the friggin’ booth !!!!!

    Where is Archer ???

    Hopefully, under a train…

  18. ryebread 09/23/2011 at 12:40 PM #

    Most of what should be said has been said. This thing is trending downward and if continues that way, I suspect a change will be made.

    I wish people would stop with the “coach with passion” line. We had one of those in Amato. The man was an alum who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was fired up and his players were too. When he stopped winning, we wanted one with more discipline. We got one of those, but it seems that this disciplined coach doesn’t have much emotion and now we think that the game is emotional.

    All of the personality, dress, attitude, etc. conversation only comes out when the coach isn’t winning. That’s what we really want — a coach that wins. We don’t have one and that is obvious.

    If this thing does tank and we make a change, we need to be realistic about what we’re going to get. People mention Skip, but USF is paying him $1.8M to our roughly $1.1M for TOB. Based on what I saw in our basketball search, I really don’t see the willingness there to open the purse strings for the top flight coach. Even the biggest name football programs recently who are willing to pay (e.g. Michigan, W.Va, Florida) have ended up with assistants or coaches from smaller schools. Proven winners just don’t leave built programs — particularly to try and rebuild middling programs (which is just what we are).

    Based on that we’d be looking at and assistant, a coach from a smaller school or a winner who is tarnished by being fired. Personally, I’m most intrigued by the third group — and ones that don’t have NCAA violations. I’ve always wondered what Leach could do in the ACC and I think we’re the perfect fan base to give him a second shot.

  19. ryebread 09/23/2011 at 12:40 PM #

    Most of what should be said has been said. This thing is trending downward and if continues that way, I suspect a change will be made.

    I wish people would stop with the “coach with passion” line. We had one of those in Amato. The man was an alum who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was fired up and his players were too. When he stopped winning, we wanted one with more discipline. We got one of those, but it seems that this disciplined coach doesn’t have much emotion and now we think that the game is emotional.

    All of the personality, dress, attitude, etc. conversation only comes out when the coach isn’t winning. That’s what we really want — a coach that wins. We don’t have one and that is obvious.

    If this thing does tank and we make a change, we need to be realistic about what we’re going to get. People mention Skip, but USF is paying him $1.8M to our roughly $1.1M for TOB. Based on what I saw in our basketball search, I really don’t see the willingness there to open the purse strings for the top flight coach. Even the biggest name football programs recently who are willing to pay (e.g. Michigan, W.Va, Florida) have ended up with assistants or coaches from smaller schools. Proven winners just don’t leave built programs — particularly to try and rebuild middling programs (which is just what we are).

    Based on that we’d be looking at and assistant, a coach from a smaller school or a winner who is tarnished by being fired. Personally, I’m most intrigued by the third group — and ones that don’t have NCAA violations. I’ve always wondered what Leach could do in the ACC and I think we’re the perfect fan base to give him a second shot.

  20. NelsonHall97 09/23/2011 at 12:59 PM #

    ryebread: I think we would have at least a shot at attracting Skip Holtz, but that’s about as big a name as we’ll get. Based on our BB coaching search, we can forget hiring a NAME coach or creating any sort of “splash” with our hire. Our football team is in a similar position to our basketball team…especially by the end of the season.

    You’re right, we’ll have to up the ante (double TOB’s pay) to get it done. But remember, we were going to pay $2 million for Shaka. Football is the main revenue generation, so why wouldn’t we pay $2 – $2.5 million for a good coach.

  21. packbackr04 09/23/2011 at 1:03 PM #

    what about Skip?

  22. Wolfacct 09/23/2011 at 1:25 PM #

    The only reason I watched the entire game was to see Brosius and a few of the backup’s play. I don’t blame Glennon; he’s not the problem. The O-line and defense are the problem. Time to make some changes.

    As far as the SEC goes, I’d much rather get blown out on national TV by LSU or Alabama than Cincinnati. But since that isn’t happening, hopefully ‘Swoffie will negotiate a sweet TV deal for the conference and we will be able to afford a more exciting/innovative coaching staff.

  23. EasternWakeWolf 09/23/2011 at 2:26 PM #

    Basketball coach search hinged on finding someone who wasn’t afraid of the 2 blues. Football program wouldn’t be up against that kind of history with any other football coach in the conference.

  24. HPWolf 09/23/2011 at 3:22 PM #

    We need to quit talking about Russell Wilson. He’s not coming back and he left T0B no option at all. I wish RW well but he QUIT our team every spring in favor of baseball and this last time was for good. He decided he would like to come back after a horrible performance in baseball over the summer. Only then did he want to come back. No coach can tolerate that sort of behavior and look at the rest of his players with any integrity and tell them to practice hard and they’ll be rewarded with playing time.

  25. runwiththepack 09/23/2011 at 3:40 PM #

    HPWolf, right on. It’s too bad there are some who haven’t got that message already. Even the ESPN commentator explained NCSU’s dilemma last night. What a nice switch vs. the Sendek misrepresentations in teh media.

    RW wouldn’t have made that much difference last night. In fact, he threw 14 INT’s last year, many of them brain farts. If he hadn’t skipped spring practice for two years, he would have been better. NCSU had a good record in ’10, but he was better in his previous years. We finally had a defense last year, which helped Russell a lot.

    He’ll be a rich man, probably sooner than later. He was great, great, great for us. I wish him well. But he rolled the dice, and neither he nor NCSU were better for it.

    Oh! We’re supposed to stop talking about Russell Wilson! Oops.

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