Tom O’Brien said he doesn’t like playing North Carolina in the final game of the season because the two could meet up a week later in the ACC Championship Game. Well, Tom, you won’t have to worry about that this year, for sure. However, the Wolfpack do have a decent schedule where they seem to be catching teams just at the right time. Cincinnati, which is in flux, comes to town, and N.C. State travels to ECU, which is also in flux. Losing either one of those games will be bad, but if they lose at Central Florida in the second week of the season, you can classify this program as being below Wake and slightly ahead of Duke, but only slightly.

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An absolutely brutal season for NCSU took a turn for the worse when it was announced this week that coordinator Dana Bible has cancer in leukemia form. Certainly all of our thoughts and prayers are with the Bible family. Wolfpack head coach Tom O’Brien address the Bible situation and his team’s upcoming game against North Carolina.
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Every single Wolfpack fan I know believed with all their heart that Tom O’Brien was going to fix the ills with NC State football because of his winning ways at Boston College and his strict background. Well, it is apparent that he has totally lost this team. He upset most of the players following the Pitt win by saying the effort and performance wasn’t good enough. I still look at O’Brien as being the football version of Herb Sendek - a decent enough coach that will never win big and will always do just enough to keep his job. And to think NCSU could’ve had Pal Johnson instead.
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N.C. State head football coach Tom O’Brien has been informed by Doug Rhoads, head of ACC football officials, that his team was horribly wronged by the replay officiating crew.

The play in question came in the third quarter with Clemson leading 24-14. C.J. Spiller took a handoff to the left side of the field and ultimately fumbled. The ruling on the field was that Spiller was down by contact before the ball came loose.

O’Brien challenged the play and after a replay official looked at it for several minutes, it was determined the ruling on the field was correct, even though the announcers and any person with even a half of a good eye could clearly tell it was indeed a fumble.

Now, it’s likely that even had the Wolfpack gained possession and ultimately scored that they would have lost regardless. It’s kind of hard to win when you can’t stop any body from scoring. Nonetheless, this is just something else for the Wolfie fans to moan about on why they have a losing season.

N.C. State finally broke its losing streak to win a game in the ACC with a narrow victory over Maryland. The Wolfpack look to go for two in a row but it won’t be easy as Clemson, which has the inside track for the Atlantic Division title, rolls into Raleigh. Here’s what N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien had to say about this week’s game and the progression of Nate Irving.
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Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Once again the Wolfpack find themselves in a position many fans for one reason or another thought impossible. But if N.C. State doesn’t win the remainder of its games, then it will miss a bowl. Head coach Tom O’Brien talks about the injury to lineman R.J. Mattes and his team’s state of mind.
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N.C. State came into the season with expectations out of whack as they were exceedingly high. After three straight embarrassing losses, the Wolfpack had last week off and got a chance to regroup. Now they’re headed to take on a Florida State team that is in dire need of a win, too. N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien met with the media to discuss his team and Florida State.
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NC State head football coach Tom O’Brien has announced that freshman cornerback Rashard Smith and redshirt sophomore defensive end Jeff Rieskamp will miss the remainder of the season due to injuries. Smith, who had moved back into the starting lineup for the Boston College game, injured his knee in the second quarter of that contest.

Rieskamp, who started two games in 2008, underwent surgery on Friday, October 16, for a sports hernia. He has not seen action in a game all season because of the injury.

Those two players bring the total of players lost for the season due to injury to nine for the Wolfpack. They join TE Mario Carter (knee), LB Ryan Cheek (hip), OL Denzelle Good (shoulder), LB Nate Irving
(leg), FB Colby Jackson (knee), QB Everett Proctor (shoulder) and S Javon Walker (knee).

N.C. State football coach Tom O’Brien met with members of the media to discuss a wide range of topics. Obviously the problems on defense and special teams was discussed at length.
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It was just a few short weeks ago when I was sitting in on the Frank And Buck Show and numerous N.C. State fans were talking about how their team was going to run wild through the Atlantic Division and play for the ACC Championship. The fans cited the offense, which put up big numbers against two high school teams and Pittsburgh. They also pointed to the fact that the defense was the best statistically in the ACC.

Now they want the head of defensive coordinator David Archer. Should he be fired? That topic is debated inside.
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RALEIGH - Following each game I attend, I will access letter grades for each team’s performance. And for those of you who were home schooled or never made it past the fourth grade, “A” is the best and “F” is failing, which means “C” is average.

With that said, here’s how N.C. State graded out against Duke:
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RALEIGH - Here is what N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien had to say to the media following his team’s dismantling by Duke and quarterback Thaddeus Lewis:

On the overall message of the game: “We need to take more responsibility as a team. We were out-coached and out-played. Duke came out and played very well. Now we just have to work on a lot of things before heading to Boston for our game against Boston College.”

On Duke’s offensive attack: “Duke came out ready to throw the ball against us. They had a lot of success early. We played three-deep, two-deep, and they shredded us. We have to look at the personnel on the field to find guys that will make plays for us, but I still feel we have the right guys ou there to make plays for us.”

On Duke’s offense: “You have to give Duke credit. Their passing game is very sophisticated and they have a guy at quarterback that can handle the offense. We had all kinds of trouble covering guys.”

On the last eight series without a score: “That is something we definitely have to figure out. We had chances to make plays and we didn’t. Right now we’re 3-3 and still have a lot to play for. We just have to do what we have to do in the second half and turn things around.”

On the troubles in back-to-back weeks between Duke and Wake Forest, particularly with Duke’s 13 third-down conversions: “We noticed at halftime that Duke was 7-for-9 in third down conversions and it just snowballed from there. We had opportunities and just didn’t do it. We’ll head back to the practice field and work on some things and get back on track in the second half.”

RALEIGH - Got here and it literally took me five minutes to get off the interstate and into my parking spot. There was very, very little traffic and now I know why. They Carter-Finley Stadium is maybe 80 percent full. However, I was just informed that the students at N.C. State are on fall break, which explains why the student sections are less than full.

And with that, on with the action.

The Dukies just took the ball on the game’s opening possession and crammed it right down the Wolfpack’s throats. Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis was spot-on the entire way. And just like that, The Blue Devils hold a 7-0 lead 9:42 left first quarter.

Let me say this again, N.C. State has to go 4-3 the rest of the way to ensure a bowl bid. And I know all the Wolfpack fans say that their team is notoriously slow starting and always finishes strong under O’Brien, but this would be the type of loss that could quickly destroy an entire season.

I’m not saying N.C. State is going to lose, but I’m just say IF the Wolfpack lose, it would be a complete disaster.

UPDATE AT 6:15 LEFT IN THE FIRST QUARTER
Russell Wilson proves once again that as he goes, so goes NCSU. A couple of solid passes and a 10-yard scramble for a touchdown tied it up just a scant three minutes after Duke scored. Media in the press box are already wondering aloud if both teams will score over 40 today. My best guess is no, but I think at least one will get to 35 and that both teams will score at least 28 points.

One thing is for sure, there won’t be too many, if any, stellar defensive plays today. My BBQ sandwich for a defense.

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
DUKE 14, N.C. STATE 14
That’d be two possessions for Duke and that’d be two touchdowns. OH MY! This time it was Lewis doing it with his feet to score. And believe it or not, there actually was a good defensive hit in this game. So much so that Blue Devils WR Johnny Williams started walking toward the wrong sideline because he was confused as to his whereabouts.

Then in my best Stephen A. Smith impersonation, Howeva! N.C. State hits a 63-yard pass for a touchdown to tie it at 14-14 just on the first play following Lewis’ touchdown run. Well, both teams might hit 40 after all.

UPDATE WITH 8:22 LEFT IN THE SECOND QUARTERThis is starting to get redundant: Duke has three possessions and three touchdowns. Moreover, the Blue Devils are perfect on third downs. Duke leads 21-14 on a Lewis touchdown pass. This is exactly the way most thought Duke would play straight out of the shoot. Had only the Devils beaten freaking Richmond, the possibilities could have been endless.

Just in case you didn’t see the score a few sentences ago, it’s DUKE 21, NCSU 14.

But as if you expected anything less, NCSU comes right back down the field and scores a touchdown on a Toney Baker touchdown run to tie it at 21-21 with 8:22 left in the first half.

Both teams might actually hit 30 by halftime. The two teams are averaging a point a minute.

UPDATE WITH 4:02 LEFT IN THE SECOND QUARTER
Duke looked as thought it was going in for its fourth touchdown of the first half as it had it at the NCSU 13 on second-and-1. But tailback Re’Quan Boyette inexplicably fumbled without getting hardly hit at all. The Wolfpack recovered at their own 6.

UPDATE WITH 1:51 LEFT IN THE SECOND QUARTER
NEWS ALERT … NEWS ALERT … THERE WAS AN ACTUAL PUNT IN THE FIRST HALF. STATE HAD TO DO SO WITH JUST OVER A MINUTE LEFT IN THE FIRST HALF.

HALFTIME
DUKE 21, NCSU 21

Some halftime stats for you:
QBs - Lewis 22-of-28, 233 yards, 2 TDs; Wilson 12-of-16, 151 yards, 1 TD
RBs - Baker 4-55, 1 TD
Defensive Plays - Yeah, right. Are you serious?

PICTURE TIME

NAMES OF THE GAME
Once again, it’s time for our world famous Names of the Game. Men, women and children from all over log on to this blog every week just to see who this week’s names are. So, without further ado, here are this week’s Names of the Game:

Duke - Patrick Kurunwune, Ayanga Okpokowuruk, Eriks Reks, Chris Rwabukamba.
NCSU - Natanu Mageo, Josh Milinichik, J.R. Sweezy, Audi Augustin.

N.C STATE DROP WATCH - 1

UPDATE WITH 8:05 LEFT IN THE THIRD QUARTER
Just like clockwork, Duke takes their first possession of the second half and scores a touchdown. The Blue Devils have had six possessions and gotten inside the NCSU 10 on five of them. Duke leads 28-21 and somewhere Mark Yarbro is cussing.

And just as I’m typing the above paragraph, NCSU has a 93-yard kickoff return by T.J. Graham. Make that 28-28.

And think, so many people ridiculed me because I chose to come to this game as opposed to staying home. This is truly the Carolinas Game of the Week.

DUKE DROP WATCH - 4

UPDATE WITH 3:41 LEFT IN THE THIRD QUARTER
Count ‘em, seven possessions, five touchdowns for Duke. That’s 35-28 Blue Devils.

NCSU DROP WATCH - 2

Just when it looked as though Duke was about to take control following another NCSU punt, Wolfpack punter Jeff Ruiz did his best soccer player impersonation by more or less faking like he was hurt after a Duke player just barely touched him. He rolled around on the ground holding his shin, the ref threw the flag for a 15-yard penalty, and then Ruiz trotted off the field completely fine. But, NCSU wound up punting again a few plays later.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
DUKE 35, N.C. STATE 28

Time for some interesting facts about the two teams:
Duke tight end Brett Huffman entered the game tied for 12th nationally for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with two. NCSU cornerback DeAndre Morgan is fifth nationally for getting burned the most for plays of 20 yards or longer. …

Duke’s Vincent Rey set a school record when he recorded his third-career fumble return for a touchdown against N.C. Central. NCSU’s Russell Wilson leads the ACC leaving defensive jock straps on the field. …

Duke ranks sixth in the nation in kickoff return yardage defense. NCSU ranks third nationally in unrealistic fans, only behind Clemson and South Carolina.

UPDATE WITH 11:02 LEFT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER
Duke recovered a muffed punt and scored three plays later to take a 42-28 lead. Lewis is having a career day and an all-time day. He has five touchdowns and is closing in on 500 yards passing. He also has a school record of 39 completions.

Stat of the Day - Thus far, Duke is 11-of-14 on third-down conversions.

UPDATE WITH 4:36 LEFT TO PLAY
In my best impersonation of an NCSU fan: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

On fourth-and-1, Duke holds and takes over up by two touchdowns.

Boys and girls, unless something very, very odd happens, you can kiss the baby. This one is over. And just for the record, I’ve been saying that for several years, way before Ocho Cinco started doing it.

I will have a lot of post-game stuff following the game, including video interviews and quotes and grades.

I’m headed to the field.

N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien met with the media to discuss his team’s upcoming game against Duke, Russell Wilson finally throwing interceptions and issues with the kickoff coverage unit.
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WINSTON-SALEM - N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien met with the media following Wake Forest’s 30-24 win over his Wolfpack on Saturday:

On the loss … I mean we’ve just got to make a tackle there at the end of the game. Take a timeout, you get the ball back and take four more shots at it every time and see what happens. We didn’t make the tackle. That kid (Josh Adams) wanted it more than we did.”

On if there were any surprises … No. It’s just that we continue to self-destruct. We have to do that on the practice field, we have to do that with coaching, and then some guys have to grow up, too. Some of it is youth. That’s no excuse, but they better grow up fast or we’ll have a long season.

On Wake’s field position throughout the game … They had a lot of short fields. We had a lot of long fields. That comes down a lot to the kicking game. The kickoffs change field position almost every time in the game.

On N.C. State’s pressure … We worked hard on getting there and we worked hard on keeping (Riley Skinner) in the pocket. He steps up and he makes plays, and that’s when he made plays. We tried to keep him in front of us and I think we did a good job in coverage - that’s why the ball was being dropped down. … He’s a heady, smart guy. He figures out how to do it but I think we got him down quite a few times, though.

On Russell Wilson’s efforts … Russell competes all the way to the end and he’s always going to keep competing. As long as he’s got the ball in his hands I think we’ve got a chance to win. We’ll take any effort Russell gives us all the time.

WINSTON-SALEM - Following each game I attend, I will access letter grades for each team’s performance. And for those of you who were home schooled or never made it past the fourth grade, “A” is the best and “F” is failing, which means “C” is average.

With that said, here’s how N.C. State graded out against Wake Forest:
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WINSTON-SALEM - Just arrived at here at Wake Forest and let me be the first to tell you, this is by far the best football weekend of the year so far … at least for me. The weather is absolutely perfect and there were more good looking girls here wearing black and gold than I’ve seen in Clemson or Chapel Hill. I was absolutely amazed by the scenery walking up to this gorgeous setting here at Wake. The reconstruction here at Wake is fantastic. This is going to be a very, very good day.

I’m off to get some grub and then am headed to the field to try and grab some pics so as to accurately display just how good looking everything here is.

Back in a few.

UPDATE AT 3:34 PM
We’re back. Just finished watching Maryland beat Clemson and UVA beat the Heels. This is exactly why the ACC gets ripped to shreds. The teams that lost to William & Mary and barely beat James Madison in overtime just beat North Carolina and Clemson respectively.

LAUGH ON AMERICA. LAUGH ON.

UPDATED AT LEFT IN THE FIRST QUARTER
On the second play of the game, Wake QB Riley Skinner is sacked and fumbles. The Wolfies recover it at the Wake 33.

After competing two third-and-longs, State QB Russell Wilson finds tight end George Bryan in the end zone to make it 7-0 with 11:12 left to play. However, there’s one thing to keep an eye on - NCSU had a very difficult time rushing the ball in that brief series and had to rely on converting two long third downs. If the Wolfies can’t run the ball, this game will be much, much closer than I thought it would be.

UPDATED AT 2:55 LEFT IN FIRST QUARTER
Wake had a chance to tie the game with a touchdown of its own, but a holding penalty and a pass that was just a tad too high for the open receiver in the end zone made the Deacs settle for a field goal, which they made.

That made it 7-3 in favor of N.C. State with 6:45 left in the first. It looks as though neither team is going to be able to run the ball with much effectiveness.

However, the Wolfpack came right back with a long drive of their own and once again they completed a third-and-long to keep the drive going. Then two plays later, the Wolfpack converted a third-and-10 to give them four conversions on four third downs, and none of them have been shorter than seven yards.

Anyway, faced with their fifth third down, Wake finally held NCSU and the Wolfies wound up kicking a 30-yard field goal with 2:55 left to give N.C. State a 10-3 lead.

END OF FIRST QUARTER, NCSU 10, WAKE FOREST 3

SOME SUPERLATIVES
Best Catch - A Wake Forest fan in the third row beside the end zone with the scoreboard, caught a Russell Wilson pass in the first quarter. The fan was wearing a straw hat, but he didn’t let that impede his vision to make the play.

I have to admit that I’m disappointed in the crowd at the game. I thought there’d be more fans from both sides. This game isn’t even close to being sold out. A shame. Perfect weather and a big game for both teams.

NUMBER OF NCSU DROPS SO FAR - 2

UPDATED AT 10:45 LEFT IN THE SECOND QUARTER
Just some 90 seconds into the second quarter, the Deacs tied the game at 10-10 on Skinner touchdown pass. It was Skinner’s 43rd TD pass of his career, which is one shy of the school record.

On NCSU’s ensuing drive, the Deacs picked up two personal foul calls, one of which was a bogus late-hit call. After one play, the Wolfpack had it at Wake’s 49 because of 30 yards in penalties. However, with a couple of makeup calls, NCSU faced a first-and-35 at its own 36.

On the very next play, Josh Bush intercepted Wilson to end Wilson’s NCAA record of 379 passes without an interception. It was a bad pass by Wilson, who threw it deep, way off line and very wobbly into double coverage. The INT return was some 60 yards. The INT came with 11:20 left in the first half.

But Wake can’t take advantage of the good fortune as it attempts a 35-yard field goal that hits the left upright for a missed attempt.

UPDATED AT 2:00 LEFT IN THE SECOND QUARTER
After the missed field goal, Wolfpack RB Toney Baker fumbled at his own 26. But, five players later, NC State’s Leroy Burgess intercepted a Skinner pass and returned it 40 yards to the Wake 40. That was two straight trips inside the NC State 20 and the Deacs came away with no points.

Speaking of no points, the Wolfies had to punt after the INT.

Wake wound up finally booting a field goal. The Deacs had three straight trips inside the N.C. State 20 and got only three points.

HALFTIME - WAKE 13, N.C. STATE 10

With a break in the action, now’s a good time for our ever popular NAMES OF THE GAME
Wake Forest - Cyhl Quarles, Nikita Whitlock, Dominique Midgett, Gelo (pronounced Jello) Orange.
NCSU - Jack Diaz-Cobo, Ulysses Tuft, Natanu Mageo.

SOME STATS AT HALF
Wilson 10-22-1 for 100 yards; Skinner 17-27-2 for 200 yards
NCSU 7 penalties for 80 yards; WF 4 for 50

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS
I was just corrected and told that it’s not the Dixie COUNTY Fair next to the stadium but rather the Dixie CLASSIC Fair. …

Also, have any of you guys ever had a puppy that chews everything in site when you’re not around. My Maggie is now chewing the freaking baseboards. I bought some of that spray that’s supposed to taste real bad to the dogs and applied it to the wood. Hasn’t helped, but I keep getting it in my mouth after it gets on my hands. I swear, that’s happened six times already where it’s gone from the bottle, to my hands and somehow wound up on my lips. It really does taste awful, but apparently not to her. Lord only knows what my house is going to look like when I get back from this game.

Getting ready for the start of the third quarter. I’ll keep posting little tidbits mixed in with what’s happening on the field.

NCSU DROP TRACKER - 3

UPDATED WITH 9:57 LEFT IN THE THIRD QUARTER
Wake’s first drive to start the second half didn’t result in anything other than a punt.

A couple of us here in the press box are trying to guess the crowd and we’re saying 30,000 at best.

NCSU punts. Yawn.

NCSU DROP TRACKER - 4 with 9:57 left in third.

UPDATED WITH 4:57 LEFT IN THE THIRD QUARTER
While sitting here, I’m debating on whether or not I want to venture the 90 minutes east to see U2 in concert tonight at Carter Finley, which is the home of the Wolfpack.

Well, the Deacs are showing why they were actually favored in this game and why I should never bet (for entertainment purposes only of course) on any game that ever involves a team from the ACC. The Wolfpack were getting points and now trail 20-10 after Skinner threw his school-tying record touchdown pass with just under seven minutes to go.

However, N.C. State came right back and scored a touchdown thanks to the legs of Wilson, who scored on a 14-yard run. He had a couple of scramble plays that truly showed his athletic ability. He also made some very nice passes. If he was just a few inches taller, he’d have a real future in the NFL and probably be a first-round draft pick in a year or two.

Wake leads 20-17 with 4:57 left in the third.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER, WAKE 20, NCSU 17

UPDATE WITH 10:05 LEFT IN GAME
Skinner just through a beautiful 25-yard touchdown pass to give Wake Forest a 27-17 lead. It was also the 45th touchdown pass of his career, which is an all-time school record. It was one of the better passes I’ve seen thrown this year.

But this game is far from over. Wilson has shown a lot in the third quarter and he has all the capability to score quickly.

UPDATE WITH 4:57 LEFT IN GAME
Wake had N.C. State stopped on a third-and-goal from the 10 and the Wolfies were all set to kick a field goal to try and cut the lead to 7. But after the play, Wake’s Boo Robinson was called for a personal foul when he got into a scrape with an NCSU player. That gave the Wolfies a first down at the Wake 5. The next play, NCSU scores to cut the lead to 27-24 instead of what would have been 27-20.

But Wake returned the kickoff all the deep into NCSU territory and had it first-and-goal at the 1, but two running plays and a false start made Wake have to settle for a field goal to make it 30-24. So many blown chances for the Deacs. This game shouldn’t be this close.

UPDATE WITH 2:02 LEFT IN THE FOURTH
NCSU has it first-and-10 at the Wake 39 after Wilson just made an incredible play. He avoided two shoulda-been sacks and began running before flipping a shovel pass on the run for a gain of 21 yards. NCSU has no business being in this game, let alone about to take the lead, but that’s what’s probably going to happen. Wake can’t stop them right now.

And just as soon as I type that, Wilson throws his second INT of the game as he overthrew a receiver in the end zone and had it picked off.

UPDATE WITH 1:27 LEFT TO PLAY
Josh Adams, a running back for Wake, took a third down screen pass that should have been for a gain of 1 or 2 yards and kept fighting and broke several tackles to get the first down and end the game. Had DeAndre Morgan made the tackle like he should have, the Wolfpack would have gotten the ball back with about a minute left in the game. Instead, the Deacs are going to leave victorious.

It was a very poor performance by the NCSU defense. I kept telling people that just because NCSU statistically had a good defense didn’t mean it had one. You can’t go by what you do against Gardner-Webb and Murray State.

FINAL
WAKE FOREST 30, NCSU 24

The Wolfpack have a huge game at home Saturday against Pittsburgh as the try to insure themselves a bowl game this season. State fans may laugh at the notion that a bowl game is not a definite thing, but a loss this weekend would mean the Wolfies would have to go 5-3 in ACC play. How many would be that’s a sure thing?
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