No one left a dent in the NC State All-Time Defensive Records like Defensive End Mario Williams. By the time Mario had finished his three year stint in Raleigh, he had already claimed every possible record in the books that had to do with Sacks and Tackles for Loss. There were high expectations when Mario came to Raleigh and he didn't disappoint. After a stellar Freshmen season in which he earned Freshmen All-American accolades, he went on to earn First-Team All-ACC honors the next two seasons. His Junior season at NC State, which was his last, also earned him 1st Team All-American honors as well. In that year his 14.5 Sacks led the ACC and ranked 4th Nationally and his 27.5 Tackles for Loss ranked 2nd in the ACC and 6th Nationally. Mario defied all odds when he became not only the first NC State player to be drafted with the #1 pick, but also the first player in ACC history to do so as well. Mr. Williams has started all 48 games for the Houston Texans over the past three seasons, averaging a little over 10 sacks a year. His efforts last year earned him a slot as a Pro Bowl alternate and 2nd Team All-Pro. Super Mario is just getting started in the NFL and he seems destined to put smiles on Pack fans faces for years to come. 
You can't talk about NC State Defensive Legends without mentioning Defensive Linemen Dennis Byrd. Byrd anchored the "White Shoes" defense that painted their shoes white to create an identity for themselves during 1965-67. Dennis Byrd carved himself a comfortable spot in NC State history. He was the school's first consensus All-American (1967) and the ACC's first ever 3-Time All-ACC performer. This Pack pioneer is the only defensive player to have his jersey retired at Carter-Finley Stadium. I don't think I have ever witnessed a College Football player that played with the intensity and tenacity that Levar Fisher possessed. He was a wild man on the field. When it came to tackles he was an absolute vacuum. Fisher was a 2-Time 1st Team All-ACC performer as well as a 2-Time 1st Team All-American. His Junior Campaign was pure insanity, averaging 15.1 tackles a game, which led the nation. This output earned him the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2000. While Fisher's NFL career was cut short due to injuries, he proudly sits at the top of the NC State Record books as the All-Time Leading Tackler.
Other Pack Defensive All-Americans
Don Montgomery - DE - 1967 - 2nd Team (Football Writers)
Fred Combs - DB - 1967 - 1st Team (Football Writers)
Ron Carpenter - DT - 1968 - 2nd Team (NEA)
Vaughan Johnson - LB - 1983 - 1st Team (The Sporting News)
Jesse Campbell - SS - 1989 - 2nd Team (Football News) - 1990 - 1st Team (Football News/The Sporting News)
Mike Reid - SS - 1992 - 2nd Team (AP)
Sebastian Savage - CB - 1992 - 2nd Team (UPI/Football News)
Lloyd Harrison - CB - 1998 - 2nd Team (AP/Football News - 1999 - 2nd Team (CBS Sportsline)
Terrence Holt - FS - 2002 - 1st Team (Sporting News)
Here is a breakdown of NC State's All-Time Defensive Records:
Tackles in a Game
1. Pat Teague – 26 – 1986 (Virginia Tech)
2. Pat Teague – 24 – 1986 (UNC)
2. Dantonio Burnette – 24 – 2001 (Clemson)
2. Bill Cowher – 24 – 1978 (Clemson)
2. Bill Cowher – 24 – 1977 (South Carolina)
Tackles in a Season
1. Bill Cowher – 195 – 1978
2. Robert Abraham – 183 – 1981
3. Bill Cowher – 176 – 1977
4. David Merritt – 167 – 1992
4. Vaughan Johnson – 167 – 1982
Tackles in a Career
1. Levar Fisher – 492 (98-01)
2. Dantonio Burnette – 476 (99-02)
3. Damien Covington – 457 (91-94)
4. Robert Abraham – 407 (78-81)
5. Vaughan Johnson – 384 (80-83)
6. Bill Cowher – 371 (75-78)
7. Billy Ray Haynes – 364 (88-91)
8. Kyle Wescoe – 348 (75-78)
9. Oliver Hoyte – 342 (02-05)
10. Andre Maddox – 341 (01-04)
Sacks in a Game
1. Mario Williams – 4 – 2005 (Maryland)
1. Mario Williams – 4 – 2005 (Southern Miss)
2. Eric Counts – 3.5 – 1993 (Wake Forest)
2. Mario Williams – 3.5 – 2005 (Wake Forest)
Sacks in a Season
1. Mario Williams – 14.5 – 2005
2. Tyler Lawrence – 11 – 1993
3. Carl Reeves – 10.5 – 1992
4. Mike Jones – 10 – 1990
5. Dantonio Burnette – 9 – 2002
5. Shawn Price – 9 – 2002
Sacks in a Career
1. Mario Williams – 25.5 (03-05)
2. Tyler Lawrence – 24 (90-93)
3. Carl Reeves – 22.5 (91-94)
4. Manny Lawson – 21 (02-05)
4. Mike Jones – 21 (87-90)
6. Ray Agnew – 17 (86-89)
6. George Anderson – 17 (99-02)
8. Corey Smith - 15.5 (98-01)
8. Pat Thomas – 15.5 (01-04)
9. Frank Bush – 15 (81-84)
10. Brian Jamison – 14 (98-01)
Tackles for Loss in a Game
1. Mario Williams – 6 – 2005 (Southern Miss)
2. Eric Counts – 5.5 – 1993 (Wake Foresst)
Tackles for Loss in a Season
1. Mario Williams – 27.5 – 2005
2. Manny Lawson – 21 – 2005
2. Tyler Lawrence – 21 – 1993
3. Stephen Tulloch – 20.5 – 2005
4. Carl Reeves – 20 – 1992
5. Dantonio Burnette – 17 – 2002
Tackles for Loss in a Career
1. Mario Williams – 55.5 (03-05)
2. Carl Reeves – 45 (91-94)
3. Manny Lawson – 41 (02-05)
3. Dantonio Burnette – 41 (99-02)
4. Stephen Tulloch – 40 (03-05)
5. Tyler Lawrence – 38 (90-93)
6. Pat Thomas – 37 (01-04)
7. Oliver Hoyte – 36.5 (02-05)
8. Levar Fisher – 33 (98-01)
8.Clayton White – 33 (97-00)
9. Willie Young - 31.5 (05-pres)
10. Corey Smith – 31 (98-01)
comments
5 Responses to "NC State Football All-Time Records: Defensive Records Volume I"The D line we had with Mario, Manny, Tank, and John McCargo was just nasty.
BTW, You've got these stats listed as recieving records.
haha...yeah did that on purpose to finally get a comment on this thing.
just playing. thanks.
It's amazing how many of these records have Amato's players on them. If only we could have kept Norm Chow... Hopefully we set more records on both offense and defense with TOB at the helm.
"It's amazing how many of these records have Amato's players on them. If only we could have kept Norm Chow... Hopefully we set more records on both offense and defense with TOB at the helm."
Manny, You could say the same thing about not only Chow, but countless other Coordinators over those same years. I still believe that in a stable environment, Marcus Stone could have prospered at QB.
Nonetheless, our Defense was ranked #1 in the country for a short span, with the D-line mentioned above. That credit goes straight to Amato and his relentless Defensive coaching/recruiting style. By all accounts, Chuck would "release the hounds" on game day, much like Bobby Bowden. They were rabid dogs out there! But, just like FSU, the screen passes killed us, our CB's were left on an island alone, and we were weak against a draw up the middle. Players and coaches relied on brute strength and speed paired with an aggressive attitude, in order to get to and intimidate their opponents. Often, this scheme worked. At times, it lead to negative game changing penalties. The coaching staff promoted the aggressive, nearly always. Don't get me wrong here, I loved that attitude. I love Chuck Amato. But, with the good, you must take the bad. Over those years we did have some HEAVY hitters! I thoroughly enjoyed watching them lay the wood!
With TOB however, I think we see a controlled aggressiveness, a 'team first' approach, and (probably) less records being broken. Notice I didn't say that NO records would be broken. TOB is bringing in some very nice players, and add to that, records are made to be broken. Discipline is not just a motto at The Murphy Center anymore. It is a way of life around this football team. Gone are the foolish penalties. And if one should occur, then there will be repercussions. Ugly ones. TOB is developing strong, respectful, disciplined men. There is a 'Yoman-like' attitude on the practice field, and that calm demeanor follows the Pack into game day, especially on the road.
I apologize for getting out on a rant, but I am truly in awe of the football program right now. I have been going to The Carter for every NC State game since the mid seventies (it was impossible to attend prior, as I was not born yet). I remember some great games. But, I don't think that we have ever seen CLOSE to what we are about to see under TOB. Maybe WPP can verify this fact, but it is my understanding that TOB is the first Head Football Coach at NC State to have prior Division-I Head Football Coaching experience! Considering some of the coaches that we have seen come through Raleigh, that bit of information is amazing to me. And, not only does TOB have that experience, he brings a stellar record and a staff that is dedicated to him and the program.
One other note. The statistics listed here are all individual records. I would be willing to bet that there will be a lot of TEAM records broken under TOB. BTW, can you tell that I'm ready for USC v. NCSU? Go Pack!
My Dad is Eric Counts!
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