September 14, 2011
NC STATE FOOTBALL
Jacey Zembal (TheWolfpacker.com)
DT Markus Kuhn taking on leadership role
Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn is well versed in the ups and downs of college football.
The 25-year-old graduate senior has played on two teams that reached bowl games (2008 and 2010). Kuhn also watched the 2009 squad go 5-7 during his redshirt season, and also go 5-7 in 2007 when he was rushed into action as a true freshman from Weinheim, Germany.
“It’s a growing up process,” Kuhn said. “Some things you have to experience yourself to grow up. The time absolutely flies by. Don’t think you have one more year or two more. Come in here, do what you are supposed to do, work hard every single day and it is going to pay off.”
Ryan Tice (TheWolfpacker.com)
Q&A: Mike Archer will not make excuses
Anything specific that you think the defense needs to improve on?
I think our whole defense [needs to improve]. We had opportunities to get the quarterback on the ground and sack him, but we missed him and gave up the big play. We blitz and we come clean on a blitz, but we miss the quarterback. It’s a combination, it’s not any one particular group, it’s all three. It’s the pressure, it’s the coverage that we have to get better at. We were able to do those things before but right now we aren’t executing so that’s where we have to get better.
Akula Wolf (Backingthepack.com)
USA Excited About Trip To Raleigh
Joey Joe Joe:
I think the biggest difference is that we’re going into a stadium that will probably have 60- to 70,000 people at the game. The crowd noise can be a different factor. Obviously we have never been in front of a crowd the size of the one that could end up being at the game. We’re going to make sure we get the crowd noise playing during practice to try and mimic that as much as we can so we’ll be used to it. Other than that, our preparation will be the same.”
Akula Wolf (Backingthepack.com)
Getting To Know South Alabama
MULTIMEDIA/PODCASTS
David Glenn Chats With Gary Hahn, Sept. 14
David Glenn recently caught up with with N.C State play-by-play man Gary Hahn on Glenn’s afternoon radio show to talk about the Wolfpack.
Among the topics they discussed: Mark Gottfried’s decision to skydive into the football game on Saturday; whether Hahn has ever seen Tom O’Brien as upset as the coach was after State’s loss at Wake Forest; why the Wolfpack has struggled so much in Winston-Salem these days; and Hahn’s early impressions of Mike Glennon.
ACC BASKETBALL
Dan Wiederer (Fayetteville Observer)
UNC Tar Heels trump Duke, NC State and Wake Forest in Dan Wiederer’s farewell predictions
So this is it. I’m on my way out of town. After seven seasons covering ACC basketball for the Observer, I’m turning pro, heading north – I mean, waaaay north – to cover the Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
N.C. STATE
Get excited: Mark Gottfried has quickly fallen in love with the N.C. State fan base, eager to listen to their hopes and dreams and then go about chasing them.During State’s past two coaching searches, a handful of national pundits listed the zeal and ambition of Wolfpack fans as a deterrent to prospective candidates. The belief was that the most vocal State fans set themselves (and their coach) up for failure by setting the bar too high. But Gottfried isn’t buying it.
What was he told about State fans before arriving in Raleigh? “I heard they were wacko, psycho, out of control.” And now what are Gottfried’s impressions? “Our fans are excited. They’re hungry. They want to win. I’d much rather have that than apathy.”
Keep in mind, Gottfried’s last coaching stint was at football-crazed Alabama, where even when his Crimson Tide basketball squad rose to No. 1 in the nation in December 2002, it was barely celebrated. “I’m looking forward to being in an area where basketball really drives the bus,” Gottfried said.
Keep an eye on: Strength and conditioning. During the Sidney Lowe era, too many Pack players came to Raleigh and left without making noticeable improvements on their bodies. As Gottfried attempts to change habits and establish a new work ethic in the program, it will be interesting to see how his players respond and how fast they see results. In May, State hired Bob Alejo from the Oakland A’s to manage the strength and conditioning program. Keep a close watch on what Alejo can do to help players like Richard Howell and Scott Wood, key contributors in need of added muscle.
Reason for worry: With limited depth at point guard, Gottfried has to quickly turn Lorenzo Brown into a quality decision maker who can become a consistent force. And the new State coach must tutor C.J. Leslie, a dynamic athlete whose shot selection was horrendous at times last season. Leslie must add discipline, learning to make fundamental plays on a regular basis.
Projected regular season record: 18-11, 7-9 ACC
