September 7, 2011
NC STATE FOOTBALL
Liberty Game Photos from Gene Galin
Brett Friedlander (starnewsonline.com)
Two State players honored by ACC, UNC’s Renner snubbed
Two N.C. State players earned individual recognition with defensive tackle Brian Slay gaining co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors and T.J. Graham bringing home Special Teams Player of the Week for their contributions to the Wolfpack’s 43-21 win against Liberty on Saturday.
Slay, who shared his award withMaryland’s Joe Vellano, had six tackles – two of which were for losses – forced a fumble and returned another fumble 52 yards for his first career touchdown.
Graham, one of the best return men in Wolfpack history, added to his record with a game-changing 82-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Flames. He also returned four kickoffs for 99 yards and caught a pass for seven, giving him 194 all-purpose yards in the game.
Brian Reinhardt (GoPack.com)
Program Spotlight: Zach Powell
Senior defensive back Zach Powell grew up the biggest NC State fan, so it was only natural that this would be his dream school to attend.
His dad grew up on Avent Ferry Road, and his grandparents still live there. His family, uncles, aunts and cousins included, attend every home game.“I’ve been watching NC State my whole life,” said Powell. “I didn’t even apply to another school. Some smaller schools were recruiting me to play football, but I just wanted to come here and be a walk-on.
“My family has been such a big support during my career. I love how I can still get to drive home and have a good dinner with my family, because I know a lot of my teammates don’t have that luxury. Them coming to every home game means an awful lot to me. NC State has always been a big part of my family, and I know they’re proud of me for how hard I’ve worked over the years.”
Matt Carter (TheWolfpacker.com)
Monday Morning quarterbacking
NC State started slow but ended strong in a 43-21 win over Liberty Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh in the season opener for both teams. Now it’s time for the first Monday Morning Quarterbacking of 2011.
Ryan Tice (TheWolfpacker.com)
Q&A: Mike Archer turns attention to Wake
Who do you think took the biggest step in the first week?
I think our young guys in particular. I think D.J. Green, for his first time out there under the lights, played very well, in fact I think he played as well as any of our linebackers. All three linebackers were productive in the running game but their running game but the running game hurt us with the quarterback. He got us mismatched a couple of times and he was a better athlete than some of us a couple of times. I think that David Amerson played well, he made two big plays and he had one negative play on the double move where he gave up the touchdown but it’s all learning experiences for him. Not to take away from the older guys but I think the younger guys [did well]. The tape was good, it was good to watch because there are a lot of things we got to get corrected.
Akula Wolf (BackingthePack.com)
Game One By The Numbers
TOB wasn’t pleased with the number of pass attempts in the first half, and once the team made a point to lean on the ground game, Liberty started to wear down a bit. Curtis Underwood finished the evening with 114 yards, 68 of which came on runs of 33 and 35 yards in the second half.
Akula Wolf (BackingthePack.com)
New TechFit Uniforms Technically Don’t Fit
George Bryan said the new uniforms, which are made with adidas’ TechFit fabric and are beltless, felt good but there were some issues. “The pants were falling off a little bit and I had to tie them up,” Bryan said. “We’ll fix that with some tape the next game. I’ll look like a ‘Pop Warner’ kid. Duct tape.”
WOLFPACK PAST/FUTURE
Ryan Tice (TheWolfpacker.com)
Pack Pros: NFL final rosters
NFL teams were forced to cut down their rosters to 53 players over the weekend and several former NC State athletes were among those affected by the moves.
The Wolfpacker breaks down where all former Wolfpack players currently stand with their teams heading into week one, which is set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 8 with the Packers and Saints squaring off.
MULTIMEDIA/PODCAST
The ACCSports.com Podcast, Sept. 6
Joe Ovies, afternoon cohost on 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh, and Jim Young have returned with another edition of the ACCSports.com Podcast.
Among the topics they discussed:• What’s up with all this “Texas to the ACC†talk and folks dissing John Swofford for “not being proactive�
• Bryn Renner’s impressive debut and UNC’s potential this season.
• Virginia Tech’s beatdown of Appalachian State
• Is David Cutcliffe losing credibility by touting his team’s bowl potential when it’s still losing to Richmond?
• Is Bryn Renner’s strong performance at UNC adding to the pressure on Mike Glennon at N.C. State?
• Was it a bad idea for Everett Withers to give Butch Davis a game ball?
• And are folks over 25 allowed to comment on Maryland’s new unis?
TheWolfpacker.com
Photo gallery: NC State 43, Liberty 21
Riddick and Reynolds
R&R Podcast – Episode 17
Vacation day or not, it was an enjoyable show like always. Here’s a brief recap of what was discussed:
• In the opening segment, we talk about Thomas Teal’s foot injury and how the defensive line has suddenly gotten very thin.
• Chuck Amato calls us in the second segment to discuss the game and give us his analysis, plus a guest joins us in the segment to send well wishes Chuck’s way
• In the final segment, we continue discussing the outcome of the Liberty game and unveil a new TOB-themed grading system
UNC FALLOUT
KEN TYSIAC (N&O)
UNC asks McAdoo suit to be dismissed
In court papers filed Tuesday in Durham County Superior Court, the university and Thorp argued that McAdoo has no constitutionally protected right to play college sports. The defendants argued that because McAdoo entered the NFL supplemental draft and signed with the Baltimore Ravens, he voluntarily forfeited his eligibility and therefore no longer has claims against the school.
This week, McAdoo, a defensive end at North Carolina, learned he made the Ravens’ 53-man roster as an outside linebacker.
North Carolina and Thorp also argued that McAdoo failed to demonstrate that the school improperly delegated any authority to the NCAA, stating that public universities may elect to participate in associations with membership rules.
The defendants argued that North Carolina provided full and accurate information to the NCAA to determine McAdoo’s eligibility.
