Coach O'Brien Before Virginia Tech

NC State vs. Virginia Tech Injury Report, Howard Done For Rest Of Year

Out For Season

Mario Carter, TE - knee
Ryan Cheek, LB - hip
Denzelle Good, OL – shoulder
T.J. Graham, WR – stress fracture/leg
Steven Howard, WR - knee
Nate Irving, LB - leg
Colby Jackson, FB – knee
R.J. Mattes, OG - knee
Everett Proctor, QB – shoulder
Jeff Rieskamp, DE – sports hernia
Rashard Smith, CB - knee
Javon Walker, S – knee
James Washington, HB - knee

ACC Officials Say That Spiller Fumbled

NC State head football coach Tom O'Brien has been informed by Doug Rhoads, head of ACC football officials, that the play that the Wolfpack coaching staff challenged in the third quarter of last Saturday's game versus Clemson was a fumble and should have been overturned, giving NC State the football. The score was 24-14 Clemson at the time of the play.

Information provided by NC State Media Relations

Willie Young: Press Conference After Clemson

Owen Spencer: Press Conference After Clemson

Coach O'Brien Press Conference After Clemson

Key Quotes

"I think the question was asked this past Saturday if we were going to start playing for next year, and certainly we're not, we still have two games left this year. And the biggest one is this week versus Virginia Tech. We're going to try to be a much better football team and get out on the practice field this week and see if we can make some improvements."

"I think most of the seniors are playing really hard. It's their last year and you would expect that. We just don't have enough of them. Cash and Burgess probably played their best games of the year this past Saturday. A lot of guys are still competing and playing hard, and some guys are trying to do too much, and that's part of the problem."

"Right now Lemon and McKeen are probably even, and they will probably split time evenly from here on out."

"I think Ray Michel is still not 100%. He's giving us everything he can, but he had a 4-6 week injury and it's only been 4 weeks."

"We were too aggressive. We overran things. We didn't stay behind the football the way we should have. We got too aggressive."

"Certainly, if Jarvis Byrd hits you, your gonna go down, and thus far, knock on wood, that's a good thing."

"I think the quarterback (Wilson) is very confident when he throws him (Williams) the ball. I think that's a big plus. I think he's learned to use his size and power to his advantage. He's a big target and tough to get a handle on, especially if the ball gets up high."

"George is probably skilled more as an offensive player, but with all of the issues we had in the secondary, we tried to play him there, but he wasn't as good there as he is at wide receiver."

"I don't think Donald is back to full-speed. He's been slowed down by the knee. I don't know if he ever really got in shape. He's fighting through it and giving us the best he can, but he certainly doesn't look like he did during our first year here."

"I think Audie is still learning. Linebacker is not a natural position for him. He's a guy that has to see some things, but once he see's them, he gets it. He's a great effort guy. I think in time he will end up being a really good player for us."

NC State vs. Clemson Game Notes

• Russell Wilson has 26 touchdown throws this season, the second-highest total in school history for a single year, trailing Philip Rivers’ record of 34 in 2003. Wilson has also accounted for 30 touchdowns on the season (four rushing), tying for second all-time and it is the most since Philip Rivers was responsible for 30 in 2002. Wilson ranks fourth in career responsibility with 51, and needs one more to tie for third place.
• Russell Wilson has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 18 of his 21 career games at quarterback and has thrown two or more scores in 14 games of those games (he played one snap of special teams only against USF last season).
• Koyal George caught his second career touchdown in the first half, and first since the Virginia game in 2007 when he was a wide receiver and had three catches for 54 yards and that score. He switched to defense in 2008 and started five games at corner this season before switching back to offense during the bye week.
• Jarvis Williams caught his eighth and ninth touchdowns of the season. The nine scores rank as the sixth-best single season total in school history. It was the most in a single season for a Wolfpack receiver since Jerricho Cotchery had 10 in 2003.
• NC State started its eighth different secondary combo in 10 games when NC State started three freshman and senior Clem Johnson. Brandan Bishop, C.J. Wilson and Jarvis Byrd also started.
• For the first time this season NC State started a different defensive line combination. The combo of Willie Young, Shea McKeen, Leroy Burgess, and Alan-Michael Cash started together in the first nine games until Michael Lemon started for McKeen against Clemson.
• Redshirt freshman Mike Glennon threw his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Information provided by NC State Media Relations

Coach O'Brien After Clemson

Russell Wilson After Clemson

Audie Cole After Clemson

Koyal George After Clemson

Clem Johnson After Clemson

Clemson Crushes Pack's Postseason Dreams 43-23

The Wolfpack couldn't keep up with the Tigers on Saturday, as they were defeated 43-23. The Wolfpack put up a fight early on, but they were no match for the electricity and game changing ability of CJ Spiller. Spiller was everywhere against NC State, becoming the first player in Clemson history to throw, catch, and run for a touchdown in the same game.

In the first half, it was Clemson's defense that was the story. The Tigers held the Wolfpack to only 114 total yards and held Wilson without a completion until the 9:12 mark in the second quarter. Wilson could never get comfortable, constantly flushed from the pocket, and sacked twice. Aside from a late scoring drive (Wilson to Koyal George, 18 yard TD), fueled by two third down Clemson penalties that kept the drive alive, the Pack offense was held lifeless.

The Clemson offense wasn't too shabby either putting up 24 points, and relying heavily on Spiller. The Pack had trouble containing the shifty playmaker, who not only rushed for 57 yards, but also threw a 12 yard touchdown and constantly gave the Tiger's great field position as NC State continuously squibbed kicks to keep them out of Spillers hands.

At the end of the half, Clemson had the 24-7 lead.

In the second half, the Wolfpack offense came out and started to show signs of life. Russell Wilson immediately led the Pack on a 75 yard scoring drive, capped off by an 8 yard TD pass to Jarvis Williams, bringing the Pack within 10, however, it wasn't long before Clemson struck back, and once again, with CJ Spiller. After NC State kicked the ball out of bounds on the ensuing kick-off, Clemson drove the short field and Spiller punched it in with an impressive 16 yard rush. The score gave CJ Clemson's all-time all-purpose yards record with 1,890 already this season.

The Pack added a field goal, but Spiller continued to pour it on, this time as a receiver. CJ came out of the backfield uncovered and caught a 34 yard touchdown down the right sideline. Clemson touched up the Pack for another score, including a 69 yard touchdown run by Jamie Harper. Mike Glennon led NC State down the field for a two yard touchdown to Jarvis Williams with three seconds on the clock, but it was much too little, much too late for the Wolfpack.

With the loss, the Wolfpack falls to 4-6 and 1-5 in the ACC. The loss also eliminates them from postseason play, giving the Pack only two games left to play in 2009. Stay tuned as we'll be updating you with player and coach postgame interviews and stats.

Box Score

*photo by John Williams

NC State vs. Clemson Game Thread

Feel free to make comments or ask any questions during the game.

Game Preview: NC State Wolfpack vs. Clemson Tigers

Kickoff: 12 Noon
Location: Carter Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Television: Raycom
Records: Wolfpack (4-5, 1-4 ACC) , Clemson (6-3, 4-2 ACC)

THE MATCH-UP
Coming into this weekend's game against the Clemson Tigers, Tom O'Brien and the Wolfpack know that it's basically a 'win or go home' scenario. Although there are still two games left to play after Clemson, a loss would mean that the Pack's post season dreams will be squashed as they will be ineligible for bowl play. That being said, NC State has made a habit of late season surges under head coach Tom O'Brien. Last season, when faced with a nearly identical scenario, Russell Wilson took the reigns and led the Pack to a four game winning streak and an unexpected bowl birth.

Last week, with their backs against the wall, the Wolfpack defense stepped up and Russell Wilson guided the Wolfpack offense to a season saving victory against Maryland. This week the task will be much bigger, and the stakes will be much the same. Clemson sports an elite offensive attack, headed by senior running back and electric playmaker, CJ Spiller. Spiller has already eclipsed the 1000 combined yard mark this season with his ability to dominate on the ground and also pitch in with receiving duties. He's touched the zone 8 times, 5 on the ground and 3 through the air. The elusive Spiller is surely one of the ACC's most exciting players, and will take full focus for the Wolfpack to slow him down.

The Clemson defense has been good this season, but have yet to face a game changer of Russell Wilson's caliber. Wilson, already with 24 touchdowns, is coming off a solid performance in which he threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson will look for help from the resurgent Toney Baker, who coming off a knee injury this season, has been one of the most consistent performers for O'Brien's Wolfpack, averaging a gaudy 5.2 yards per carry.

The question for the Wolfpack will be the question they've faced all season long. Will their defense show up? The NC State defense has been much improved over the past few contests,but still has some work to do. If the secondary can hold up again, and the front line can contain Spiller, the Pack could most definitely pull off the unthinkable against Clemson.

PACK HOPES TO BREAK LOSING STREAK TO TIGERS*
NC State has dropped the past five games to Clemson, a streak which ties the longest in the series history between the two schools.

Clemson leads the series handily at 49-27-1, but the results have been much closer in games played in Raleigh (17-15 in favor of the Tigers). In 20 matchups at Carter-Finley, each team has won 10.

THE TEXTILE BOWL*
Although not many of the players in uniform know about it, for the past 28 years (since 1981), the series between NC State and Clemson has been dubbed the Textile Bowl, as that industry has such a major economic impact on both states and both schools boast renowned textile colleges.

The North Carolina textile manufacturers donate money to NC State's scholarship fund every year in honor of the Pack's MVP from the game. Clemson posts a 19-9 advantage in the Textile Bowl.

A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER*
November has been good to the Pack under Tom O'Brien's tutelage. Including last week's win over Maryland, NC State boats a 7-2 record in the 11th month, including a 4-0 November slate in 2008.

*information provided by NCSU media relations

Photo by: John Williams

Coach O'Brien Talks Before Clemson

NC State vs. Clemson Injury Report

PROBABLE

Ray Michel, LB - ankle

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee
Ryan Cheek, LB - hip
Denzelle Good, OL – shoulder
T.J. Graham, WR – stress fracture/leg
Nate Irving, LB - leg
Colby Jackson, FB - knee
R.J. Mattes, OG - knee
Everett Proctor, QB – shoulder
Jeff Rieskamp, DE – sports hernia
Rashard Smith, CB - knee
Javon Walker, S – knee
James Washington, HB - knee

Coach O'Brien ACC Teleconference (11/11/09)

Leroy Burgess: 'A Homecoming Birthday Present'

This past Saturday was Senior Leroy Burgess' 22nd birthday. He told all of his teammates that all he wanted for his birthday was a win over the Maryland Terrapins. The defensive unit came together, and helped Burgess get his birtday wish.

"It was a tremendous improvement," Burgess said. "It felt good to finally get off the field and make some three-and-outs. We finally got to feel what that felt like again."

The Wolfpack have to be excited with the win over Maryland on homecoming, but their eyes are now on the red-hot Clemson Tigers who are rolling into town this weekend. Burgess and the rest of the defensive unit have a chip on their shoulder, and they are looking to prove their critic's wrong this weekend.

"As a defensive line we talked about the fact that they are high on the mountain right now. They're a little cocky after beating Miami and FSU," Burgess said. "They're comfortable. They probably think they are going to come in here and do their thing all over us. We just want to go out there and prove to our critic's that we can play football."

Recap of Coach O'Brien's Radio Show (11/09/09)

-Coach O'Brien was really impressed with the offensive line and the running back's ability to block this past Saturday against Maryland. Maryland came into the game as the ACC leader in sacks, with 21. The Pack only allowed one sack on Saturday. O'Brien said that he has never had 2 running backs that picked up blitzes the way that Baker and Eugene do.

-Someone called in and asked: 'Have you considered giving Glennon more playing time since it is uncertain whether Wilson would be back next year?' O'Brien said 'no' because he is playing for this season. It would be a disservice to Russell to sit him.

-O'Brien thought that Andrew Wallace did a great job filling in for the sick Vermiglio (flu). He described Wallace as a tough kid who works really hard. Coach O'Brien tells everyone to be ready to go on a moments notice. Both Wallace and O'Brien found out that Vermiglio wasn't going to be able to play this past Saturday 45 minutes before kickoff.

-When a caller asked O'Brien about his recruiting strategy, he said that they recruit the state of North Carolina first, and work outside of North Carolina only when they can't fill their needs from within. Coach O'Brien has played 7 true freshmen this season, which is an all-time high for him.

-When asked if the good defensive play against Maryland was due to Turner going down or solid preparation, O'Brien said that as a whole the defense had less mistakes on assignments. Certain players stepped up and played better. The key performer was Alan-Michael Cash, who had 8 quarterback hurries in the game.

-O'Brien believes that Clemson's offense is more wide-open than Pittsburgh's. They try to get CJ Spiller involved in many different ways. In O'Brien's opinion, he is the best player in the conference so far.

-A caller asked: 'Would it be worth it to recruit a kicker that just did kickoffs?' O'Brien responded by saying 'Absolutely.' They have brought in a soccer player to try, and even though he has been working for a couple of weeks, he still isn't as efficient as Czajkowski.

-A caller asked: 'Is George Bryan one of the best tight ends you have coached?' O'Brien said 'Yes,' because he has tremendous hands and rarely drops the football. He referenced Bryan's unbelievable catch against Boston College last season. He is a lot stronger in his conditioning than when he arrived on campus. Bryan can also be counted on to arrive early to practice and to stay afterwards as well.

-O'Brien talked about how Jarvis Byrd was really effective at stopping the run. He's not afraid to stick his face in there and tackle.