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Personally I like the tone I’m seeing on here right now. And there is nothing wrong with “guarded optimism”. My old ball coach had some great sayins’, I’m sure they all came from other people he admired. A couple of them have gotten me through times of trouble and despair, while others served as a limit to create a sense of humility. One of my most favorites was “You can hate losing, but don’t hate yourself for losing”.
I saw that in DD from the beginning. I never saw it in TOB. In CTC I felt he blamed others for the loses. In just about every presser DD had after a loss he never got down on his team, not that I saw. Considering how much negativity he faced I think he had a strong sense of what he wanted to build. Even last year the naysayers wanted his head.
All through last season I saw us coming very close to being very successful. I know we could catch some bad breaks in the games ahead, I feel we already did in the SC game. Two bad instant replay calls, and a blatant pass interference close to the goal line. I don’t pretend we could roll over roll tide, but I do believe if we played them they would know they had a worthy opponent. And THAT is the definition of a team that could be great (another of my old ball coach’s sayins’)
Smarter than the average bear
Looks like Hines will get some help next year.
QB that is considered really good and in state leading rusher. My bet is that if we continue to have a really good year we’ll pick up a few others along the way.
Smarter than the average bear
Grey, I was talking in terms of the talent on hand. State was the second youngest team in the nation. Top end recruits still take a bit of time to mature, gain strength and knowledge. Very few are superstars from day one, Mario Williams withstanding.
It was a wonder that team won 8 games. The out of conference schedule had more cupcakes than a bakery and the only conference wins were WF and cuse who were both 1 – 7, and the UNX game that truthfully stunned most of us and more importantly THEM. The game that produced the “blue collar team” label.The depth of the depth chart didn’t challenge a parking lot puddle. I clearly remember how everyone was hammering Hux about the defense and how bad a coach he was. And now he looks like a pretty good DC. One thing is for sure the defense is stout. After the letdown of that third season is where DD decided Canada was not the man. I also remember tons of comments that DD was stupid for letting Canada go and keeping Hux. Isn’t it funny how that worked out.
Now all that said the truth is the margin between failure and success can be mighty thin. A field goal and an in the hands interception would have produced vastly different outcomes last year. I’d be willing to make a large wager that DD and the staff have used that more than once in teachable moments since the end of last season. A false start here, a fumble there, a missed opportunity (take away the VERY FIRST play of this season and we’re 7 – 0) makes for poor results. My high school coach said over and over “performance does not take a time out, when the ball is snapped you have to be 100% IN THE GAME”. It’s funny to me how that one statement has translated to so many facets of my life.
Smarter than the average bear
Grey, thanks for the reminder about Leary. The point I was trying to make is we have some talent and skills now on the back end. I remember last year DD saying it was the first year that he actually could know who the 2s and 3s were. When you think back to year one and two it was bleak, we barely had 1s much less backups. I heard some of the pundits talking on the playoff show and State is on their list. We may not be the focus of the narrative right now but there are those who think we could change the view. The last time that happened was 15 years ago. What I’d love to see on Nov 4 is Lee Corso wearing a wolf head.
Smarter than the average bear
I remember the first I witnessed. Being a Yankees fan it was NOT pretty. Drysdale and Koufax mowed ’em down. Made them look bad! Real Bad.
Smarter than the average bear
T57, we have a lot of seniors, but we also have a lot of 2s & 3s with a great deal of experience. What has really amazed me is just how potent our receiver corp is. I just wish the other Hines had stuck around. One thing about it, there ought to be at least one top notch QB out there that wants to be the next Ryan Finley. You know there are some receivers that would love a chance to catch his passes.
Smarter than the average bear
WS67, by the same token we contributed to their not being in the top 25. I think da ville and FSU came out of those games demoralized to a degree. And if we do happen to beat ND and the tiggers my bet is they take the loss on the chin too. Personally I want to see both of them get beat up really bad in the next two weeks.
Smarter than the average bear
In retrospect I think two very important things came out of that game Sat. First, I think the team was tight. Really tight, been there and it can make you lose focus. Hines said it best, people weren’t finishing (blocks, tackling, catching the ball, ect.) Quite simply they were afraid of losing.
I’m not sure what DD said in that locker room but it probably went something like this, “you guys have come too far, not only this year but the past 3 years, to let this game get away. If you just go out there and do the job you’ve been trained to do and give it your absolute best then you’ll walk off the field winners. If you don’t you’ll be kicking yourself in the rear forever. This team is better than that team. This team is the best team this school has seen in a long time. It’s the team the fans have been waiting on for years. That blue collar, hands in the dirt team that refuses to lose. That’s the team that you are and that’s the team I expect to see when we go back out there.”
Then came the second. They responded, They responded with the best second half of a game I’ve seen from this team under DD. We’ve all read multitudes of comments about the team not doing well in the third quarter. Well that didn’t happen Saturday. And by the end of that third quarter Pitt knew they were going to lose. You could see it in the way they executed. They became the tight team. When they punted that second time in a row they knew they were beat.
Smarter than the average bear
Anyone know of someone who could conger up a hurricane and make it strike central Indiana? A monsoon would also suffice.
Smarter than the average bear
that place is in the middle of nowhere. Spent two years down there programming a radio station in Baxley. This was 1976 and their calendars said 1960. Some of the tapes I have of our news casts are hysterical.
Smarter than the average bear
And there are those who thought Clempson, FSU, da ville, and the irish was the rough stretch when the season began. Fact is the Atlantic is way tougher than the coastal. Second half yesterday showed me a lot. That bunch didn’t cave and came out swinging. Not saying we go 5 – 0 over the finishing stretch but two things that cannot be denied. We are in first place in the Atlantic and have the best conference record in the league (half a game up on da U), and it has been forever since we held first place alone this late in the season whether for the whole conference back before divisions or as division leader. Five tough games to go but as a whole this is the toughest Pack since 67 from my perspective. Just sayin’
Smarter than the average bear
Had no idea Heinz would be so empty. Bet that was less than 30K yesterday. And for the record State scored more in the second half than the first. WOW! I gotta say I was worried after that first half. Too many dropped passes and the defense wasn’t stepping up. It was like they were playing scared. Whatever was said in the locker room at halftime sure did the trick. They blew them up in the second half.
And yes BOTB, I miss those guys too, especially alpha.
Smarter than the average bear
but I still love this picture and have a framed copy for myself
BOTB, I have the same picture. Look to the far right, that’s actually where my nickname came from. In 64 was a catcher in little league and my grandfather gave me the Yogi nickname. He was also a big State fan. My first big time BBall game was the Dixie Classic when I was 5. Took us 3.5 hours to get to Raleigh back then. He talked of Case all the time and that’s what bore out my love of the Red & White (He really didn’t like Frank or Dean). He would have loved today’s game. And DD would have captured his attention with his “blue collar team” after that UNX win. That seems like eons ago.
And in spite of the one loss I still feel this is a better team than the 2002 team was. And TODAY they became a team that can turn it on in the second half. Might not happen that way again, but today IT DID!
Smarter than the average bear
Revisionist History CD? I’ve read many a history book but I don’t seen to recall whatcha writ but it is entertaining. Not to be picky about history but we were in VERY similar waters in 2002. I was at the Carter when we went down in flames on that Thursday night. It wasn’t pretty. Here’s hoping we don’t get dashed on the rocks. I’m pretty sure the three rivers haven’t seen a hurricane since Agnes in 73 so no high winds or driving rain but considering our last forays into games played in an intense storm (see Syracuse 97 and the Dame in 16) that could help us if it happened.
Smarter than the average bear
Hogs rule, the real battle is in the trenches. The best QB in the world cannot do anything if he’s running for his life. The best RB is going to be minimized without gaps to run through. And if you can’t stop the run or put pressure on the QB guess what…YOU LOSE EVERY TIME. I was watching the college top 25 show the other night on espn and one of the pundits gave State a shout out on how we could actually compete for the ACC title this year because of our lines. He felt confident that we could take Clemson, just sayin’
Smarter than the average bear
I got flipped…For at least a day.
Ummm, is that anything like queen for a day? (for you younger folks that was a hokey TV game show WAAAAAY back when all TVs were B&W but I’m sure CD can remember it). Sorry CD somethings I just cannot resist. BTW, we’ve missed having you around.
Smarter than the average bear
Every good comedy team needs a straight man. Glad I could set that one up for ya Mc
Smarter than the average bear
Hmmm, Mc, that’s a pretty short list. Important one yes, but the list is significantly shorter than in a LONG time. Personally I’d add KICKER. Find a female kicker and let her drive the competition.
Smarter than the average bear
Been busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest since I wrote the opening and just now returned to see the retorts. freshmanin83 I have to say I REALLY had no clue where you were going until the very end and it’s a good thing I’d just swallowed that sip of coffee or I’d have been cleaning up two monitors and my laptop screen (I’m quite sure you can use that statement against me, have fun). And thanks SO much for the hearty laugh to all of you who contributed.
Smarter than the average bear
FSU drops one to the canes. Everyone below State has 2 losses or more ‘cept cuse and their bubble will burst with clemson, Miami, FSU, wake and da ville on their horizon. Dame look beatable today. Cuse beat Pitt but I like our chances there. We could be 7 – 1 headed into the tigger visit. That would be a monster of a game if it works out that way. We have an extra week off before ND too. The trojans visit the sat before we do. It would be good if they get beat up a bit in that game.
Smarter than the average bear
what a great article this is…
Is the long-sought NC State breakout season finally here?
Don’t know about the rest of you guys but I’m pretty hyped about our chances of having a pretty good year. Even taking on ND at home could be a win and THAT would be HUGE!
Smarter than the average bear
Not only was the cupboard bare there wasn’t a cupboard. Three years ago State was the second youngest team in D1, not only didn’t we have talent or senior players but quite a few of them just quit, left the team. Non-believers I think was term. I wonder how many wished they had bought in and stayed?
One thing that stood out to me as I watched the Dline rush Jackson. Rarely was there just one in his face or chasing him, and considering he had one long run but only 73 yards means he was no where near as successful as he usually is. And I admit Chubb is a LOAD BUT he has some buddies on that line that are pretty darned special too. And that line has backups that come in and out and I didn’t see much drop off when any of the #1s were getting spelled for a breather.
This team in many ways is more special than the 2002 team IMO. There aren’t many weaknesses anywhere. I was really worried about losing Dayes but Hines just wound up being next man up!
Smarter than the average bear
