Saturday, November 7, 2009
With Backs Against the Wall, Wolfpack Delivers Against Maryland
With their backs against the wall, and needing a victory to keep their post-season hopes alive, Tom O'Brien's Wolfpack finally caught a few breaks and took out Maryland 38-31 for their first ACC victory of the season. Russell Wilson, Jarvis Williams and Toney Baker paced the offense, and the NC State defense finally got things back on track allowing only 270 yards of total offense. The Pack controlled the pace, dominating time of possession 34:55 to Marylands 25:05, thanks to Baker's chain moving runs and Wilson's efficiency. Russell was 25-38 (66%), marking his 2nd best completion percentage of the season in ACC play. Although he did throw an uncharacteristic 3 interceptions, he spread the ball all over the field, giving the Maryland secondary fits and keeping them guessing, as he hit 10 different receivers on the day. His favorite target was Jarvis Williams, who had 7 receptions for 107 yards, marking the second highest total of his career. Donald Bowens also got in on the action with a 35-yard touchdown down the right sideline. It was Donald's first touchdown in two seasons, thanks to two unfortunate injuries that held him out all of last season. The chemistry between the Wilson and the receivers looks to be improving every game, and teams are having trouble stopping matching up with the over-sized Wolfpack wideouts, something coach Tom O'Brien talked about after the game.
"We made some really big catches, especially on the boundary and on the deep balls. One advantage we have is size. We are really happy to come away with a win and you have to give maryland credit for hanging in the re throughout the game." said O'Brien
While the offense was good, it was the defense that was the story. Allowing 31 points to Maryland may not seem all that impressive, however, 14 of those came on run backs (one on a kickoff and one on an interception). The defensive numbers were vastly improved. With linebacker Dwayne Maddux, safety Clem Johnson, and defensive end Michael Lemon leading the way, and with the ever consistent play of Willie Young, the Pack defense only allowed 278 total yards(116 on the ground and 162 through the air) and stifled the Maryland offense down the stretch, not allowing an offensive touchdown in the 2nd half.
The Pack struck the Terps right out of the gate when DE Willie Young picked off the Chris Turner pass on Maryland's own 29 yard line. Wilson wasted no time in hitting George Bryan for the 17 yard touchdown. Maryland struck back almost immediately when RB Davin Meggett capped off a long drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. Like they have been all ACC season for the Pack, the game was back and forth the entire time, but it seemed as if NC State wanted it more on this day.
At 1-3 in the ACC, Maryland needed this game almost just as much as the Pack did, and almost got back into it at the very end. With State in control 38-31 and driving with 56 seconds on the clock at the Maryland 31, Tom O'Brien faced a tough fourth down decision. Not wanting to risk the blocked field goal return or the botched snap fumble, he decided to go for the 4th and 12, which slipped through Owen Spencer's fingers in the back of the endzone. The decision could have been costly, as Maryland drove down the field. When they finally got into striking distance, the Wolfpack defense stepped up again, and this time it was Michael Lemon who twice got to the quarterback, once leading to a sack and the second time, causing him to throw it away, ending the ballgame.
To Maryland's defense, they did lose their starting quarterback and their main threat on offense, Chris Turner, who left late in the first half with a knee injury. Jamarr Robinson filled in, but was unsuccessful against the aggressive Wolfpack 'D'.
"It was a big change in the game because the difference between the quarterbacks is night and day. It was a whole new style of offense once Robinson came in the game, so everything was seen in there today. We tackled better this week but there is still more to work on before net weeks against Clemson." said NC State coach Tom O'Brien
When the team got to the locker room, the celebration amplified as they go to watch the final play of the game via a delayed feed on the clubhouse television."There was a lot more energy. There were a lot of happy guys. To come out with the win at the end of the game felt good." added Darrell Davis.
The celebration of their first ACC win of the season will last for the night, but next weeks match-up with Clemson is equally important and will be another huge test for a team looking to reproduce the magic from last year's late season hot streak. For some, like Clem Johnson, every game form here on out will make or break the season. Johnson has one thing on his mind and it's making a bowl. "We are still fighting for a bowl bid, so we're going to keep playing hard."
NC State vs. Maryland Game Notes
Pack Gets On Board Early: The Wolfpack scored its first touchdown just 52 seconds into today’s game on a 17-yard pass from Russell Wilson to George Bryan. That was the earliest offensive score for NC State since the Nov. 5, 2005 game versus Florida State, when the Pack scored just 17 seconds in on a 65-yard run by Andre Brown. Earlier this season versus Murray State, the Pack scored 1:16 into the game.
Bowens Scores First TD in Two Years: When Donald Bowens scored on a 35-yard reception in the first quarter today, it marked his first score since Oct. 27, 2007. Bowens missed the entire 2008 season with a back injury and didn’t return until the third game of the 2009 campaign. For his career, Bowens has six TD catches.
Czajkowski Kicks Career Long: It might not have been good from 49 yards, but Josh Czajkowski’s 48-yard field goal at the 3:57 mark in the first quarter was the longest of the junior’s career. It marked only the second time he attempted a kick over 45 yards (49 yards vs. USC in 2008), and his previous career long was a 43-yarder in the 2009 season opener against South Carolina.
Offensive Line Shuffle: NC State used its fourth different starting lineup of the season on the offensive line. Before today, the Pack had used the same starting combination in the last five games, but had to make two switches today. Redshirt freshman Andrew Wallace started the game at left tackle for Jake Vermiglio, and senior Andy Barbee filled in at right guard R.J. Mattes, who started the first eight games of the season.
Wilson the Touchdown Maker: With his three touchdown passes on the day, Russell Wilson continues to sit in third place in the NCSU record books with his 24 TD passes on the season. Philip Rivers is the only player ahead of Wilson in the NC State record book, as Rivers threw 34 in 2003 and 25 in 2000. As far as touchdown responsibility, Wilson’s 28 combined touchdowns are only behind Rivers’ 37 in 2003 and 30 in 2002 for most in a single season.
Wilson Goes Over 300 Yet Again: For the fourth time this season, Wilson threw for over 300 yards in a game, when he finished with 343 today. Wilson has now gone over 300 yards four times this season, tying Jamie Barnette’s total from 1998 for third-most times in a single season. Only Rivers had more, nine in 2003 and five in 2000.
Williams Goes Over 100 Yards: For the second time in his career, junior wideout Jarvis Williams went over 100 yards in a game. Williams’ 107 receiving yards today was the second-highest total of his career, only behind his 126 in last year’s bowl game against Rutgers.
Defensive Line Interceptions: The NC State defense has registered seven interceptions on the season, but the most surprising stat is four of those have been by defensive lineman. On the first play of the day, senior defensive end Willie Young picked off his second career pass. The Pack has more INTs by its front four players (4) than by its back seven (3).
First Downs: The NC State offense finished with a season-high 31 first downs on the day, the eighth-highest total for a game in NC State history, and the most since the 2003 bowl game against Kansas.
A First Since 2004: For the first time since the 2004 season, an opponent returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the Wolfpack. Maryland’s Torrey Smith returned a third quarter kickoff 82 yards for the score today.
Information provided by NC State Media Relations
Bowens Scores First TD in Two Years: When Donald Bowens scored on a 35-yard reception in the first quarter today, it marked his first score since Oct. 27, 2007. Bowens missed the entire 2008 season with a back injury and didn’t return until the third game of the 2009 campaign. For his career, Bowens has six TD catches.
Czajkowski Kicks Career Long: It might not have been good from 49 yards, but Josh Czajkowski’s 48-yard field goal at the 3:57 mark in the first quarter was the longest of the junior’s career. It marked only the second time he attempted a kick over 45 yards (49 yards vs. USC in 2008), and his previous career long was a 43-yarder in the 2009 season opener against South Carolina.
Offensive Line Shuffle: NC State used its fourth different starting lineup of the season on the offensive line. Before today, the Pack had used the same starting combination in the last five games, but had to make two switches today. Redshirt freshman Andrew Wallace started the game at left tackle for Jake Vermiglio, and senior Andy Barbee filled in at right guard R.J. Mattes, who started the first eight games of the season.
Wilson the Touchdown Maker: With his three touchdown passes on the day, Russell Wilson continues to sit in third place in the NCSU record books with his 24 TD passes on the season. Philip Rivers is the only player ahead of Wilson in the NC State record book, as Rivers threw 34 in 2003 and 25 in 2000. As far as touchdown responsibility, Wilson’s 28 combined touchdowns are only behind Rivers’ 37 in 2003 and 30 in 2002 for most in a single season.
Wilson Goes Over 300 Yet Again: For the fourth time this season, Wilson threw for over 300 yards in a game, when he finished with 343 today. Wilson has now gone over 300 yards four times this season, tying Jamie Barnette’s total from 1998 for third-most times in a single season. Only Rivers had more, nine in 2003 and five in 2000.
Williams Goes Over 100 Yards: For the second time in his career, junior wideout Jarvis Williams went over 100 yards in a game. Williams’ 107 receiving yards today was the second-highest total of his career, only behind his 126 in last year’s bowl game against Rutgers.
Defensive Line Interceptions: The NC State defense has registered seven interceptions on the season, but the most surprising stat is four of those have been by defensive lineman. On the first play of the day, senior defensive end Willie Young picked off his second career pass. The Pack has more INTs by its front four players (4) than by its back seven (3).
First Downs: The NC State offense finished with a season-high 31 first downs on the day, the eighth-highest total for a game in NC State history, and the most since the 2003 bowl game against Kansas.
A First Since 2004: For the first time since the 2004 season, an opponent returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the Wolfpack. Maryland’s Torrey Smith returned a third quarter kickoff 82 yards for the score today.
Information provided by NC State Media Relations
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