Carter Finley: Down With the Crown

Today we were up at Carter Finley Stadium to see the progress being made as NC State has decided to remove the outdated crown and replace it with a golf course grade turf and drainage system. We snapped a few photos so you can see for yourself.

“The entire field will be built to United States Golf Association specifications for new greens,” said Ray Brincefield, NC State’s assistant athletics director for outdoor facilities. “It’s the exact same drainage pipe, it’s the exact same gravel, it’s the exact same peat moss and sand mix. The USGA sets the specs for how they build well-draining greens, from the subsurface to the grass, and those are the specs we are using.”

This is good news, seeing as Carter Finley is the last ACC football field to still be using the crown system for drainage. What is the Crown system exactly? The idea was to have a slight hump in the middle of the field in order to alleviate puddling and excessive standing water on the field. While this method had always been standard procedure, it hasn't always been 100% effective. Which was just one reason NC State head coach Tom O'Brien wanted to get the field leveled.


“We go from our own practice fields, which are level, and then go play our home games on a field with a huge crown on it,” O’Brien said. “That’s one of the reasons we wanted to get it done. The field is also 30-some years old. Plus, the drainage is something that is important for us, after two of our home games were affected last season by heavy rains.”

The renovation to field will cost over $1 million , which will come from the approved spending for the football program which was voted on earlier this year, and thanks to the extra loot the students will be forced to shell out to attend NC State.

“At a school like NC State, the premier field on our campus should be built the premier way,” Brincefield said.

Quotes extracted from gopack.com article

Taking Off The Redshirt: Mario Carter

If any of you saw Redshirt Freshmen Mario Carter at the Red/White game a couple of weeks ago, you can testify with me that it didn't look like he hadn't played in front of a crowd since his Junior year in high school. At the Spring Game, fans all over Carter-Finley were frantically flipping through their programs trying to figure out who the monstrous #87 was. Tight End Mario Carter led all receivers with 6 receptions (68 yards). He ran sharp routes, caught the ball with his hands away from his body, and was tough to bring down after the catch. The Spring Game forecasted beautiful Tight End sets with George Bryan and Mario Carter.

Mario Carter transferred to Charlotte Independence after his Sophomore Season in High School. In his first season with them he helped lead them to at State Title in 2006. He tallied 23 receptions for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns. Carter had garnered a lot of attention in 2006, so much so that NC State, UNC, South Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Michigan and Marshall threw scholarship offers his way. After Carter committed to run with the Pack on April 19th, 2007; he had high expectations for his Senior year at Independence. Unfortunately, he never saw the field in 2007 because he tore his ACL and MCL in a preseason scrimmage in August. The Pack remained committed and so did Carter.

Carter was able to come in and Redshirt last season and add some legitimate bulk. Mario left high school standing 6'5 and weighing 231 pounds. He checks in this season 25 pounds heavier, at 256 pounds. This 6'5 athlete got a lot of the attention that he did in high school because he's got legit speed, running a 4.7 40 yard dash. ESPN ranked this 3 Star recruit as the #8 Tight End in his class.

State fans are going to love Mario Carter. He is a physical blocker, who can make things happen after the catch. He might even get a handoff or two in the backfield. Mario Carter will make an immediate impact this season. Expect Bryan and Carter to make up one of the best Tight End tandems the ACC has to offer.

NC State Football All-Time Records: Receiving Records

Torry Holt is the poster child when it comes to NC State Wide Receivers. He holds NC State's records for career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. When he left the Pack he also set the standard in the ACC, leaving for the NFL as the All-Time leading receiver in ACC history. Torry's Senior campaign caused a stir when he was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year and Consensus 1st Team All-American. He went on to be the 6th overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft and has spawned out 7 Pro-Bowls in 10 seasons. Torry proudly wears a Super Bowl ring that he helped bring to the city of St. Louis his rookie season. Torry Holt is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 yards receiving (in the sixth game of his 8th season). This 2-time All-ACC stud is hands down the best player the Pack has ever sent to the NFL.
Torry Holt might have claimed a huge chunk of the NC State record books, but Jerricho Cotchery carved out his own niche. He holds the NC State record in career receptions and 100-yard receiving games. Jerricho also ranks in the Top-5 in ACC History in numerous receiving records as well: 2nd in 100-yard receiving games, 4th in career receptions and career receiving yards. Cotchery was drafted by the New York Jets in the 4th Round (108th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He has quickly become a fan favorite with the Jets fans, and has been a model of consistency. He has had 71+ receptions in the past three seasons and he brought home his first 1,000 yard receiving season in 2007 (1,130 yards). Jerricho will be entering his 7th season next year and you can bet that he will continue to be the anchor of consistency in the Jets receiving corps.


Haywood Jeffires also went on to make State Fans proud when he was drafted 20th overall in the 1987 Draft. Warren Moon and Jeffires had a deadly connection when they played together for the Houston Oilers. He had a solid 10-year career in the NFL and was a 3-Time Pro Bowler.


Former Pack Wide Out Mike Quick is not far behind Torry Holt in the Pro Bowl category. After being drafted by the Eagles with the 20th pick in the draft, he went on to reel in 5 straight Pro Bowls from 1983-87. Unfortunately he had to end his career early after 9 seasons due to a knee injury.







The Pack has had quite a few Wide Receivers receive All-American Honors:
Don Buckey - 1st Team All-American (Football Writers) - 1975
Nasrallah Worthen - 3rd Team All-American (Football News) - 1986 and 2nd Team All-American (Sporting News) - 1988
Torry Holt - Consensus 1st Team All-American - 1998
Koren Robinson - 2nd Team All-American (Football News) and 3rd Team All-American (AP) - 2000


Here is a breakdown of NC State's All-Time Receiving Records:

Receptions in a Career
1. Jerricho Cotchery - 200 (2000-03)
2. Torry Holt - 191 (95-98)
3. Eddie Goines - 147 (91-94)
4. Bryan Peterson - 139 (99-02)
5. Nasrallah Worthen - 131 (84-88)
6. Tramain Hall - 125 (02-05)
7. Chris Coleman - 122 (96-99)
8. Mike Quick - 116 (78-81)
9. Ray Robinson - 113 (98-01)
10. Haywood Jeffires - 111 (83-86)

Receptions in a Game
1. Torry Holt - 15 - 1998 (Wake Forest)
2. Jerricho Cotchery - 13 - 2003 (Kansas)
3. Torry Holt - 12 - 1997 (FSU)
3. Jerricho Cotchery - 12 - 2002 (Maryland)
5. T.A. McLendon - 11 - 2003 (Virginia)
5. Jerricho Cotchery 11 - 2001 (Maryland)
5. Torry Holt - 11 - 1998 (Baylor)
5. Torry Holt - 11 - 1998 (Clemson)
5. Donald Bowens - 11 - 2007 (Virginia)

Receptions in a Season
1. Torry Holt - 88 - 1998
2. Jerricho Cotchery - 86 - 2003
3. Tramain Hall - 69 - 2003
4. Jerricho Cotchery - 67 - 2002
5. Koren Robinson - 62 - 2000
5. Torry Holt - 62 - 1997

Receiving Yards in a Career
1. Torry Holt - 3,379 (95-98)
2. Jerricho Cotchery - 3,119 (2000-03)
3. Eddie Goines - 2,351 (91-94)
4. Nasrallah Worthen - 2,247 (84-88)
5. Mike Quick - 1,934 (78-81)
6. T.J. Williams - 1,916 (02-05)
7. Koren Robinson - 1,914 (99-00)
8. Chris Coleman - 1,909 (96-99)
9. Bryan Peterson - 1,894 (99-02)
10. Don Buckey - 1,734 (72-75)

Receiving Yards in a Season
1. Torry Holt - 1,604 - 1998
2. Jerricho Cotchery - 1,369 - 2003
3. Jerricho Cotchery - 1,192 - 2002
4. Torry Holt - 1,099 - 1997
5. Koren Robinson - 1,061 - 2000
*These are the only 1,000 yard performers the Pack has ever had.

Receiving Yards in a Game
1. Torry Holt - 255 - 1998 (Baylor)
2. Torry Holt - 225 - 1998 (Clemson)
3. Jerricho Cotchery - 217 - 2003 (UNC)
4. Eddie Goines - 207 - 1993 (Wake Forest)
5. Donald Bowens - 202 - 2007 (Virginia)

Touchdown Receptions in a Career
1. Torry Holt - 31 (95-98)
2. Jerricho Cotchery - 21 (2000-03)
3. Eddie Goines - 17 (91-94)
4. Koren Robinson - 15 (99-00)
5. Nasrallah Worthen - 14 (84-88)
5. Haywood Jeffires - 14 (83-86)
7. Bryan Peterson - 13 (99-02)
8. Jimmy Grissett - 12 (93-96)
8. Tramain Hall - 12 (03-05)
10. Brian Clark - 11 (02-05)

Touchdown Receptions in a Game
1. Torry Holt - 5 - 1997 (FSU)
2. Torry Holt - 4 - 1998 (Clemson)
3. Tramain Hall - 3 - 2003 (Duke)
3. Jerricho Cothcery - 3 - 2001 (Clemson)
3. Koren Robinson - 3 - 2000 (Georgia Tech)
3. Eddie Goines - 3 - 1993 (Texas Tech)
3. Nasrallah Worthen - 3 - 1988 (Duke)

Touchdown Receptions in a Season
1. Torry Holt - 16 (1997)
2. Koren Robinson - 13 (2000)
3. Torry Holt - 11 (1998)
4. Eddie Goines - 10 (1993)
4. Jerricho Cotchery - 10 (2003)
5. Tramain Hall - 7 (2003)
5. Jerricho Cotchery - 7 (2002)
5. Nasrallah Worthen - 7 (1988)

2009 Football Schedule

Taking Off The Redshirt: William Beasley

Don't be confused by the picture, William Beasley doesn't play on the offensive side of the ball. From watching film of Beasley, I don't think he would like offense to much. This kid was born to hit. He has good instincts, tackles with proper form and drives his legs all the way through each tackle. Beasley has great closing speed and makes up for slight weakness in lateral movement by being able to walk his opponent down. There isn't much hesitation in Beasley's game, he instinctively reads a play, and reacts. When you see William, you instantly realize that he has found his proper calling. His frame and size scream linebacker. Did I mention that this kid can hit. He is ferocious and understands that true power in tackling is driven from the legs, not the arms, shoulders and chest.

He stands 6'2 and weighs in at 225 (4.6 40 Time). He racked up 129 tackles (13 for loss) his Junior season and 116 tackles (17 for loss) his Senior season. In each of those years he earned Second Team All-State honors in the state of Florida. In high school he was a mystery to scouting analysts. Scout thought he was an Outside Linebacker (#36) and Rivals saw him as an Inside Linebacker. ESPN ranked him as the #19 Inside Linebacker in the class. He actually played both positions at varying amounts at Milton. It looks as if the NC State coaching staff is in agreement with Scout this time. Currently, Beasley is 3rd on the depth chart behind Nate Irving and Audie Cole.

Beasley joins a stacked linebacker corps that includes Nate Irving, Ray Michel, Dwayne Maddox, Sterling Lucas, Terrell Manning and Audie Cole. It's going to be fun to watch Beasley mix it up on Saturday's with this crew.

A Diamond in the Rough

When judging how talented a player is...well, sometimes 'Stars' or 'Rankings' don't mean anything. When you watch Linebacker Nate Irving on Saturdays, you know that you are watching a young man who will get paid to do what he does best on Sundays. You know that you are witnessing something unique, when his name continually comes out of the PA system like a broken record. In all reality, you feel like you are watching the best player on the field. You begin to wonder...wasn't this guy a 3 Star recruit according to Scout and a 2 Star recruit according to Rivals. Yes he was, and yes, you can laugh now.

Let's jump into an area of Nate's career that we might not be all that familiar with. Nate played his high school ball at Wallac-Rose Hill High School, in Teachey, North Carolina. In his Senior campaign, his squad never tasted defeat, going 10-0 on the year. He managed to accumulate 110 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 3 sacks and 1 interception. After watching Nate last year make 4 interceptions, a couple of them being worthy of SportsCenter, you began to wonder how a young man with hand like that ended up on the defensive side of the ball. Well, maybe it is Irving's Tight End instincts coming back to him from his glory days back on the high school field on Friday nights. You see, Nate played Tight End in high school when he wasn't playing linebacker, reeling in 12 all-purpose TD's his Senior season. Nate was dubbed with All-Conference honors that year and also competed in the annual Shrine Bowl between North and South Carolina.

Even in High School Nate screamed 'athletic freak.' He stood 6'1 and weighed in at 217 pounds. He also greased a 4.4 40 time and threw up 185 pounds on the bench press 24 times.

Nate's stats so far in college really don't do justice for what he does on the field. After redshirting his first year, Nate came on and played in limited action his Freshmen season. But it was nearly impossible for Coach O'Brien to keep him off the field. By the end of his Freshmen year, he had woven his way into the starting lineup, starting 4 out of the last 5 games (The game he didn't start he missed due to sickness). It's hard for a coaching staff not to notice a Freshmen make 5 tackles for loss in the final five games of the season.

Injuries plagued Nate last season, his first season claiming the starting role outright. He missed three games due to injury and didn't play at full strength or complete games in numerous others. With that being said Nate still managed to rack up 80 tackles on the year (4 games of double-digit tackles) and 4 interceptions. Judging from this past weekends Spring Red/White game, it looks like Nate is primed for action. He led the first team defense with 5 tackles. While his performance earned him All-ACC Honorable Mention last season, if healthy in 2009, 1st Team All-ACC only seems logical. I'm hard pressed to remember a linebacker that has the instincts, athleticism and passion that he has. When I look back upon all the great linebackers that have ever played the game...I think the #56 is the perfect number for Nate Irving.

NC State Football All-Time Records: Passing Records

The #17 is number that will permanently be etched in the hearts of all Wolfpack fans. Philip Rivers infamous number will also never be worn again by any player that dons the Red and White. Rivers is the Poster Child for NC State Football and one could argue that there has never been a better player to come through our program. He managed to shatter the NC State and ACC record books, and put a decent dent in the freakin NCAA record books. This 2003 ACC Player of the Year literally never missed a beat for the Pack: the guy never missed a single game (He played in all 51 games). When Philip exited to the NFL, he did so in style, leaving 2nd in NCAA History in passing yards (13,494) and 5th in TD passes (95). His Senior Season also led the NCAA in a couple categories that season as well: Completion percentage (72%) and Passing Efficiency Rating (170.49). Philip is one of only 7 players to ever throw for over 3,000 yards in 3 separates seasons.

Well, this article isn't intended to be solely a Philip Rivers tribute, but when you write an article on the history of the QB position at NC State, he takes up a decent chunk of the history. But Philip was not the first Signal Caller to gain All-American accolades. The first to do so was Roman Gabriel (1959-61), and his #18 proudly hangs retired in Carter-Finley. This 2-Time 1st Team All-American (1960 and 61) brought home the ACC POY award twice (1960 and 61) and was also an Academic All-American in 1960. Gabriel is probably the most prolific Quarterback that our program has ever spawned out. He went on to get selected to 3 Pro Bowls and was also the NFL MVP in 1969.

The third most note-worthy Pack QB would have to be Erik Kramer who had a 10 year career in the NFL.

Here is a breakdown of NC State's All-Time Passing Records:


Passing Yards in a Career
1. Philip Rivers - 13,484 (2000-03)
2. Jamie Barnette - 9,461 (96-99)
3. Terry Harvey - 5,925 (93-95)
4. Shane Montgomery - 5,298 (87-89)
5. Erik Kramer - 4,602 (85-86)
6. Dave Buckey - 4,286 (72-75)
7. Daniel Evans - 4,004 (05-08)
8. Tim Esposito - 3,873 (83-84)
9. Terry Jordan - 3,695 (89-92)
10. Jay Davis - 3,548 - (02-05)

Passing Yards in a Game
1. Shane Montgomery - 535 - 1989 (Duke)
2. Philip Rivers - 475 - 2003 (Kansas)
3. Jamie Barnette - 469 - 1998 (Baylor)
4. Shane Montgomery - 468 - 1987 (Duke)
5. Philip Rivers - 433 - 2003 (Wake Forest)

Passing Yards in a Season
1. Philip Rivers - 4,491 - 2003
2. Philip Rivers - 3,353 - 2002
3. Jamie Barnette - 3,169 - 1998
4. Philip Rivers - 3,054 - 2000
5. Shane Montgomery - 2,632 - 1989

Completion Percentage for a Season
1. Philip Rivers - 72.1% - 2003
2. Philip Rivers - 65.2% - 2001
3. Dick Buckey - 64.8% - 1974
4. Terry Jordan - 64.1% - 1992
5. Philip Rivers - 62.7% - 2002

Completion Percentage for a Career
1. Philip Rivers - 63.6% (2000-03)
2. Terry Harvey - 60.1% (89-92)
3. Dave Buckey - 57.8% (72-75)
4. Jay Davis - 57.7% (02-05)
5. Tim Esposito 56.9% (83-84)

Career Passing Efficiency Rating
1. Philip Rivers - 144.16 (2000-03)
2. Dave Buckey - 133.12 (72-75)
3. Terry Harvey - 128.71 (93-95)
4. Terry Jordan - 127.19 (90-92)
5. Jamie Barnette - 124.41 (96-99)

(Russell Wilson had a Passing Efficiency Rating of 133.93)

Passing Touchdowns in a Career
1. Philip Rivers - 95 (2000-03)
2. Jamie Barnette - 59 (96-99)
3. Terry Harvey - 38 (93-95)
4. Shane Montgomery - 31 (87-89)
5. Erik Kramer - 30 (85-86)

Passing Touchdowns in a Season
1. Philip Rivers - 34 - 2003
2. Philip Rivers - 25 - 2000
3. Philip Rivers - 20 - 2002
4. Jamie Barnette - 19 - 1997
5. Jamie Barnette - 18 - 1998

Passing Touchdowns in a Game
1. Philip Rivers - 5 - 2003 (Kansas)
1. Philip Rivers - 5 - 2002 (Navy)
1. Philip Rivers - 5 - 2000 (Indiana)
1. Terry Harvey - 5 - 1995 (Wake Forest)