I like typing it that way, as it sets us up in the role of the old CCCP. Hey, we are red after all.
Thanks to the folks at Time Warner Cable for putting the ESPN3 feed on channel 518 so I can live blog in a way that doesn’t irritate the shit out of me. Be warned, however – I will likely get bored and flip to Florida/Tennessee quite a bit, especially after we extend to a nice working margin. And thanks to the Jaguars for sucking so I don’t worry about any jinx factor. Gulp.
5:26 – Today’s inspirational quote comes from the funniest man who ever lived (George Carlin, RIP). “If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, set them on fire.” These are the kind of things I would say in the locker room. I would be a very confusing head coach.
5:46 – Thank the good Lord for our game and the orange battle starting at 6:00. The 3:30 slate is comprised of nothing but dogs.
5:58 – Northwestern/BC is close…but about as aesthetically pleasing as two-day old roadkill.
6:04 – Cool, we even got an attractive sideline reporter. Who woulda thunk it?
6:06 – Methinks the color guy has never seen us “run block” based on his preview.
6:07 – Good to see Underwood, bad to hear Moose re-suspended.
6:11 – Methodical, short passing game working very well right now. Taking what they give us.
6:13 – BEAUTIFUL throw from Glennon to Rashard Smith on 3rd and long, and it’s 7-0 Pack. I think it’s safe to assume we won’t be able to run on anyone all year. Let’s just hope the good MG keeps showing up (as is apparently the case tonight).
6:17 – Sade through the uprights on the kickoff. I will never stop finding that amusing. Time to see what our LBs have.
6:20 – Easy road to cross midfield, but tightened up after that. Neither pissed nor encouraged.
6:21 – Now an acrobatic pick by Amerson. THAT did impress.
6:24 – Another PERFECT strike to Underwood. The WRs are running great routes, and MG not missing them. This is the offense we expected to see, though we will learn soon enough whether we can sustain against higher caliber opposition. 14-0.
6:31 – Let’s see if the defense gets extra aggressive now.
6:33 – USA’s QB definitely doesn’t have the clock in his head.
6:35 – Smith’s good night continues with an excellent punt return. Looks like we might get the backups some action before too long.
6:40 – After a bad punt and some weak run defense, USA will have a 1st down when the second quarter starts. Our attention level seems to have waned. Time to refocus and put this one away.
6:53 – HOLY SHIT – the Holes were 4 yards away from completing a 32-point road comeback. Louisville DB makes a fantastic play to knock the ball loose and save me from having to burn the paper unopened tomorrow morning.
6:56 – HOLY SHIT AGAIN – The game would be over if Charlie Strong takes a knee three times. The dumbass keeps handing off – doesn’t fumble (yet) but one of his linemen got hurt and stopped the clock. Now they may have to punt, or at least free kick after intentional safety. What fucking morons.
6:59 – Nope, play clock restarts. Still, totally inexcusable.
7:00 – Sorry for the detour, but our game has gotten very dull.
7:02 – Now is the time on Sprockets when we run up the middle.
7:05 – Creecy runs in 11-yard TD on 4th and 3. The call surprised everyone, especially the Jaguars. 21-0, and the suspense is pretty much over (USA has a very poor offense).
7:11 – To summarize, I would describe our effort so far as workmanlike. Not blown away, but I will take it.
7:16 – I suppose a Tennessee win would make me feel a little better re Volmageddon…so to that end, Vols up 14-7.
7:19 – Payton continues his string of big, tough catches and it’s 28-zip. Live blogging might get pretty intermittent now.
7:27 – Hey, look at this. Two minute drill practice!
7:29 – Guess we need to practice it. Three and out.
Halftime – NC State 28, USA 0. Can’t wait for the Citadel fun next weekend.
8:12 – Short FG makes it 31-0. So…only one interesting question left. Do we give Stocker some playing time (in case he’s needed later in the year), or preserve the possibility of a redshirt? I think the new “helmet rule” rules out the latter, but your mileage may vary.
8:33 – After 3 periods, it’s 31-nil. Both sides just playing out the string at this point, in my view.
8:38 – How bad is Colorado? Down 4 TDs to Fresno State with 5 minutes left in the first QUARTER.
8:42 – Great success…US and A turn ball over on downs. Shutout preserved. Very nice.
8:46 – Announcers indicate we are indeed trying to save Stocker’s redshirt. Interesting.
8:49 – Long FG from the hash, and Sade doinks it. No smooth operator tonight.
8:56 – Nope, here’s Stocker. Makes no sense to play him and not have him throw the ball. He’s not throwing the ball. Jeebus.
9:01 – First and goal, shutout in jeopardy. Nobody seems to care, certainly not the Pack secondary. As I said…playing out the string. Not an especially intense bunch tonight.
9:03 – There’s your Jaguar TD. 31-7, which I would bet heavily on being the final score.
9:10 – More handoff practice for Manny Stocker. Wasting valuable development time, and making sure the fans really minimize the value for their dollar. Just don’t get it.
9:12 – As the announcers rightly pointed out…State has left in their defensive starters, which in addition to being stupid, is also disheartening as they are giving up yards by the bushel.
9:14 – Also, Brandon Barnes is showing nothing as a running back.
Your final score – NC State 31, South Alabama 7. Very meh overall.
