Sunday Links

'11 Football 11-12 Basketball56

Well, that was fun. It was one of those perfect North Carolina November days, the atmosphere inside Carter-Finley was great, and that team we saw could’ve competed with anyone in the nation yesterday. But it was also mind-numbingly frustrating after last week’s trip to Chestnut Hill. Where on earth has yesterday’s team been?

Yesterday’s win wasn’t just TOB’s first over a Top 10 opponent (at State), it was also the perfect microcosm of the TOB tenure: it is indeed true that we never have any clue which team will show up each week. And let’s be honest, all yesterday’s win does is set us up to, once again, have our hopes crushed by our bugaboo Maryland.

Amidst State’s dominance of the Atlantic Division champions, David Amerson set a new ACC mark for single-season interceptions with his 11th pick and T.J. Graham became the all-time ACC leader in kickoff return yardage.

Recaps (GoPack.com, WRAL, N&O)

Box Score and Stats (GoPack.com)

Photos (N&O)

*****

I doubt many of us saw the State-Vanderbilt game, since many of us were at the football game and it was broadcast only on ESPN3. State lost 86-79.

Recaps (WRAL, N&O)

Box Score & Stats (ESPN)

More links to come…

*****

Feel free to use the comments below to discuss yesterday’s action, and then head on over to the SFN Forums to join in the discussion of both relevant and irrelevant topics.

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'11 Football 11-12 Basketball

56 Responses to Sunday Links

  1. sundropdrinker13 11/20/2011 at 10:21 PM #

    Hey Master, so what you are saying then is that we have to do exactly as Liberals do. Sorry, that’s gonna be hard for me.

  2. choppack1 11/20/2011 at 10:46 PM #

    Ga Wolf – it’s a huge game for the program. I’m going to miss it, but I hope the fans are there and it’s rocking. The atmosphere was incredible Saturday.

  3. GAWolf 11/20/2011 at 11:06 PM #

    HUGE! I also like the red. I’d much rather see red than black…which isn’t one of our colors. Call me old fashioned. I liked the old school stripes as well.

  4. bigwolfpacker 11/20/2011 at 11:14 PM #

    The way the D is playing I expect us to win a close low scoring game. I am never surprised no matter what happens.
    TOBs up and down performances are reminiscent of O’cains teams.
    This is the way we all expected the team to play games all year, a good defense and suspect offense. Injuries to the dline ended that dream. The D is now playing like they did last season and Glennon made some professional throws yesterday.

  5. GAWolf 11/20/2011 at 11:16 PM #

    Sweezy.

  6. ryebread 11/20/2011 at 11:48 PM #

    bigwolf is correct — TOB’s teams remind me of O’Cain’s. We’ve got some pieces and can pull a huge upset, but we are maddeningly inconsistent. TOB is sort of like MOC, but that he can beat UNC.

    There were many predicting a Clemson win followed by a MD loss. I was not one of them. I thought we’d lose to Clemson for sure after the egg we laid at BC. I absolutely loved what I saw on Saturday.

    Now I hope we can actually finish against MD. We were in this spot in year one of TOB (MD @ home to end the season with a bowl game on the line). Let’s hope we do better this time.

  7. Master 11/20/2011 at 11:48 PM #

    Sundrop13 – Sorry, I forgot to put the tag at the end.

  8. Master 11/20/2011 at 11:49 PM #

    Sundrop13 – Sorry, I forgot to put the Sarcasm tag at the end.

  9. Astral Rain 11/21/2011 at 3:08 AM #

    I said at the beginning of the year 7-5 was my expectation.

    A win next week, they go 7-5. A disappointing 7-5 is still 7-5.

    TOB didn’t do it the easy way, and doesn’t deserve a raise/extension, but he deserves another chance. There are definitely issues that need to be addressed though.

    I think a lot of the reason for the quiet is people just don’t know what to think of this team period, with its inconsistency. Or think there’s some wasted potential. I wonder what would have happened had this team been healthy all year, but that excuse is tiresome. Also the mood of everything in general is negative, it’s not just State fans, it’s everything else- I think that blends into the general discussion. It’s hard to feel positive when everything you hear is negative , but in-sport and out-of-sport.

    I have to give credit to the D. They’ve stepped up since everyone has come back.

    The red helmets should become permanent. They’re pretty unique, and it doesn’t involve black. Would prefer to not see the red on red though.

  10. dempseyg18 11/21/2011 at 5:23 AM #

    I do like the red helmets. We need some more uniform variety. However, I don’t think this win, as great as it is, should cloud our judgment from the whole of the season, and the totality of the five seasons TOB has had here. They have been marked by mediocrity and tons of injuries (which I still think has something to do with strength and conditioning, however much people say it doesn’t). TOB’s teams here have managed to string some wins together towards the end of the season, but to date have only resulted in 2 bowl games. Last year, we had a good season because our flaws were largely masked by two superb players. Under TOB, we can only get between 5-7 wins a year on average. If you are truly a State fan, that’s not acceptable. We’re a great school in a great location, with great facilities and a pretty good (if not great) recruiting base. I believe that we should be fielding ACC title contenders almost every year. In short, TOB’s teams suck for most of the year and we get a couple of good wins (UNC and maybe someone else), and then its “maybe he should keep his job.” I’m sorry State fans, but we shouldn’t be blinded by 1-2 good wins a year. We need consistency, and TOB and his crew will never provide that. I respect TOB and think he is a man of great character and his record has shown he is a good football coach. It just isn’t working here. NC State needs an overhaul.

  11. Wulfpack 11/21/2011 at 7:34 AM #

    “but he deserves another chance”

    He doesn’t “deserve” anything. He’s had plenty of chances. We are who we are. It’s who we are whether it’s MOC, or Chuck, or now TOB. You shouldn’t get browny points for just keeping the ship afloat. If DW thinks he needs to go so this program can move forward, then she “deserves” to be able to make that tough call. Let me be clear: TOB does NOT “deserve” anything. With all that said, I think he’s back for one more year, but not because he “deserves” it. Just the way I think it will play out.

  12. codebrown 11/21/2011 at 7:39 AM #

    No way in hell we are going to beat Maryland. Curse the ACC schedule makers. I still have nightmares about Shaun bleepin’ Hill and the barrage of oranges…

  13. packplantpath 11/21/2011 at 8:09 AM #

    “I am just curious why no one is elated and happy for the team, coaches and the fanbase?”

    Everybody is happy for the team. What we are not happy about is the absolute suckitude they showed in the other 10 games we have played so far this season. You will have to forgive me for not being happy about 2 good games out of 11 so far this season.

  14. albunde6 11/21/2011 at 8:18 AM #

    Was a great game and the type of performance from the defense with 7 or 8 returning starters. The injuries expose our lack of dept.

    Second as for TOB being forced out. If he has a contract through 2015, then we will not be buying out his contract. We do not have the money to buy out his contract. If you want TOB gone, then get all your friends together and write a check for about 5 million.

    Finally, just an observation from the game. Why did you leave the game early? Most of you left before it was over. We had not beat Clemson in 8 years. Why not stay and support the team? Did you have to get home early watch the basketball game?

  15. LRM 11/21/2011 at 8:24 AM #

    Geez the negativity. After the way we played Saturday, any of you who doesn’t think we’ll beat Maryland 56-0 and finish 10-2 is a bad fan.

  16. baxter 11/21/2011 at 9:34 AM #

    It is pretty disappointing that after a thrashing to the team we lost to 7 years in a row, no one is happy. In the last 5 games, 4 of those we held opponents to 14 or less. Outside of the FSU game and the first drive of the BC game, this defense has been lights freaking out. It’s no shock to me that it all coincides with the return of Sweezy and Teal. The DTs have been chewing up blocks and wreacking havoc at the line of scrimmage and have finally had enough time as a consistent rotation that we are now working in complex packages.

    This frees up the line backers to go all office linebacker on the opposing offenses. Its been beautiful.

    We still started out way too slow this game, but I’ve got to think we are going to be hyped up all week now to avenge the game from last year. MD does have a mobile QB which worries me, but they are littered with freshmen and sophomores on their defense due to injuries.

    I hope we pound them into the dirt. Whose going to the game? I’m really hoping our seniors get one last chance at a bowl.

  17. baxter 11/21/2011 at 9:41 AM #

    “The injuries expose our lack of depth”

    Seriously, just go and find me the roster that can handle losing the best pass rushing DE on the team, 4 DTs, 3 in one position and the critical 2nd string DT backing up the other spot, two starting linebackers and a starting corner. If you are going to say look at what UNC did, they played only 8 guys all year on their D line and lost two guys at different positions. At one point we had to play 16 different guys on the line. That’s unreal. And its not a depth issue when you lose your RSr, RJr, and RFr guys. That’s how your depth is supposed to look. Sheesh. There is a reason you have a two deep, those are supposed to be your two best guys who get major minutes. When you are down to the fourth string, its going to be a glaring difference.

  18. codebrown 11/21/2011 at 9:42 AM #

    There’s a perfect word for describing us State fans, Sisyphean.

  19. Prowling Woofie 11/21/2011 at 9:43 AM #

    Saturday was the most fun I’ve had at a football game in years. Not that the UNC game wasn’t enjoyable, but we didn’t have the cushion against the Holes that we did against the kitties. Fans were great – the stadium was LOUD – especially on 3rd and 4th downs. I was so hoarse yesterday…

    I can’t stand Mike Archer’s defensive philosophy, or at least the way it has been presented to us throughout his tenure here (Bend but don’t Win), but the boys on the defensive side of the ball played some inspired football Saturday. Manning was channeling Nate for sure, and Amerson totally had the Clemson coaches psyched out. About the only two times they went at him, he got a deflection and a pick. Bishop played tough, Norman was a beast, as was Cato-Bishop, and Cole was all over the place.

    The offense took some chances, and they must have seen something on film last week, because that’s the first time all year they’ve put together a screen pass package that’s been effective. Wish Graham had been more of a factor on offense, though that one catch was spectacular. Palmer was tremendous, and shows what happens when you get speed the ball in space. HEY DANA – DO THAT SOME MORE !!!!!

    Next year’s backfield – Greene, Washington, Creecy… likin’ it !

    I’m drinkin’ the Koolaid this week – God forgive me –

    State wallops the Twerps and gets to a bowl.

    Oh, and George Bryan is a punk. Bench him and let Carter take his reps.

  20. HPWolf 11/21/2011 at 9:44 AM #

    First of all let me state that I am not at all satisfied with where we are as a football program.

    BUT

    Let me explain why TOB should get more time to right this ship. TOB will have this team ready for Maryland and we will win this game and go to his third bowl in 5 years. Count on it. When TOB has time to prepare for a team he usually wins. We would have beaten Rutgers in our first Bowl under TOB had TOB not been trying to protect RW from further injury even though RW wanted to play. It took TOB 3 years to clean out the former recruits that were not willing to abide by the rules. It does now appear that this staffs recruit can play at a high ACC level when they decide to. The injuries this year without a doubt cost us a game or two. TOB does things the right way and he is respected as a coach and that reflects onto us and the university. The high level recruiting will improve with more wins like Saturdays and continued bowl invites. TOB stood up for us this season when it had to be done and it was huge when he beat down UNC. I can’t even begin to measure how satisfying it is for TOB to be in the heads of the entire UNC football team, staff and fan base. Last of all but not the least is the glimpse of what we saw Saturday in the clemson game. We shocked the nation with that win and gained a measure of respect with our program. We are closer now to turning the corner than we would be if we start over with a new staff. We have a good returning nucleus of players next year and we need to let TOB and staff prove that the injuries this year were the reason for our poor early season performance.

  21. Packfan28 11/21/2011 at 10:22 AM #

    I refuse to call anyone Master. And to use that as your user ID is just plain weird.

  22. GAWolf 11/21/2011 at 10:24 AM #

    I must say that without the D-Line injuries, especially to Sweezy, I think we win at least one and maybe two more this year.

    Early in the season what killed us was the conversion of third and longs repeatedly. Third and too damned longs got converted more times than not, even.

    With that said… what happened in Boston? That cannot be explained with any reasonable rationale. That’s the issue I think most have.

    We’re favored considerably on Saturday… anyone know a bookie? I hope we win, but covering a huge spread in a key game versus Maryland, I don’t think it makes me a bad fan to say that I’d bet against us on that spread and win 3 out of 4 times if not more.

    That includes ALL sports, by the way. I’m just not knocking football, or our current players, or even TOB. That scenario is the perfect dank, dark, moist place that grows the NC State curse spores that will forever cause us to choke.

  23. GAWolf 11/21/2011 at 10:24 AM #

    baiter?

  24. MISTA WOLF 11/21/2011 at 10:29 AM #

    blaster?

  25. WolfBlood 11/21/2011 at 10:32 AM #

    There’s no doubt the injuries cost us at least one game, probably two. Whether thats strength and conditioning or just freak accidents I dont know. But you take that into account and we’d be looking at a 8/9 win season. Give me that every year and it would be really hard to complain about. Sprinkle in a 10 win season every now and then and I’m one happy State fan.

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