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SB
Tramain Hall (PHOTO BY: Gene Galin) |
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2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Chuck Amato
39-23,
5 years |
2004
Record: 5-6 |
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RICHMOND |
WON
42-0 |
OHIO
STATE |
LOST
14-22 |
at
Virginia Tech |
WON
17-16 |
WAKE
FOREST |
WON
27-21 |
at
North Carolina |
LOST
24-30 |
at
Maryland |
WON
13-3 |
MIAMI
FL |
LOST
31-45 |
at
Clemson |
LOST
20-26 |
GEORGIA
TECH |
LOST
14-24 |
FLORIDA
STATE |
LOST
10-17 |
vs.
East Carolina @Charlotte,
NC |
WON
52-14 |
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2004 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
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2005
Outlook |
North
Carolina State was well on its way
to a fifth-straight bowl appearance
last year and then hit the skids,
losing four straight to blow a 4-2
start. State finished with a losing
record for the first time since 1996.
For a 5-6 team with the No. 1 defense
(five of the losses were close games
they had chances to win), you can
quickly discern which elements have
to step up (hint: they are all on
offense). The close losses suggest
that N.C. State was a few breaks away
- an injury bug hit the offensive
line late, just when the skid began.
But
Jay Davis' marginal decision making,
along with his lack of elusiveness,
mean the offense will likely not improve
until he is holding a clipboard. We
feel that sophomore Marcus Stone (Pennsylvania's
Gatorade Player of the Year '02) -
with his size, strength, and fleet
feet - is obviously State's future,
and therefore should be inserted as
early as the first signs of trouble.
Hanging onto Davis when things again
waiver would definitively start talk
of coaching changes at the highest
ranks. Way ahead of us, head coach
Chuck Amato brought in two new coordinators.
Marc Trestman's offensive experience
should rapidly turn things around.
New
DC Steve Dunlap, though, represents
a significant step down from Reggie
Herring and his ability to find instant
results. Considering the success here,
Dunlap and Amato aren't planning any
major changes, so Steve's motivational
skills in affecting the new secondary
and retooled LBs (his area, too) will
either shine or be an area of deserved
finger-pointing. The D-line holding
its own becomes just as much a key.
Damage control in the back-seven,
along with QB play, will dictate where
this squad finishes in the ACC "pack".
The
schedule will be somewhat tough, but
no Miami and no Virginia mean two
of the ACC's top four teams (from
'04) won't be slated. Late-season
tilts with Southern Miss, FSU and
ACC-newcomer Boston College back-to-back-to-back
will define this year as '04 was defined
by its ending flop. But expect to
see Stone in by then, making Carter-Finley
and Raleigh much happier places on
Thursday and Saturday nights.
Projected
2005 record: 7-4
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NC
STATE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3.5 |
DL
- 5 |
RB
- 3 |
LB
- 3.5 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
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RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Jay Davis, 313-175-15, 2104 yds.,
12 TD
Rushing: Reggie Davis, 46 att.,
227 yds., 3 TD
Receiving: T.J. Williams, 31
rec., 382 yds., 0 TD
Scoring: John Deraney, 13-22
FG, 29-29 PAT, 68 pts.
Punting: John Deraney, 60 punts,
41.9 avg.
Kicking: John Deraney, 13-22
FG, 29-29 PAT, 68 pts.
Tackles: Oliver Hoyte, 70 tot.,
31 solo
Sacks: Mario Williams, Manny
Lawson - 7 each
Interceptions: Marcus Hudson,
2 for 61 yds., 1 TD
Kickoff Returns: Bobby Washington,
7 ret., 22.1 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Tramain Hall,
21 ret., 6.5 avg., 0 TD
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DE
Manny Lawson (PHOTO BY: Tim Lytvinenko) |
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NC
STATE
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OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 7 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Chris Colmer-OT, Rickey Fowler-OG, Jed
Paulsen-C, T.A. McLendon-TB (NFL), Richard
Washington-WR (dismissed) |
DEFENSE:
Pat
Thomas-SLB, Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay-WLB,
Dovonte Edwards-CB, Lamont Reid-CB,
Andre Maddox-ROV, Troy Graham-FS |
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2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Wolfpack fans have one major problem with
Jay Davis: he does not remind anyone of
Rivers, but he's a good quarterback who
just had a marginal year in a tough situation.
He'll only get better, but we question just
how much. Davis won't hurt anybody with
his legs, but scouts says has an accurate
arm (though his 15:12 INT:TD ratio wouldn't
prove such). By simply cutting down on some
of those mistakes, he'd be among the best
quarterbacks in the ACC. The future of State
is Marcus Stone, who will get his shot,
and not soon enough. The sophomore has great
size and adds a running dimension the Wolfpack
doesn't get from Davis. Chris Moore has
the strongest arm of this year's QB crop,
so there are no guarantees here if play
is shaky. If Davis can't get the Wolfpack
to rank in the top third for total offense,
by October, more than the leaves will be
changing in Raleigh.
Running
Back
The trick will be giving this stable of
available, qualified backs enough reps to
keep any from transferring. Reggie Davis,
Darrell Blackman, and Bobby Washington could
each start. Davis is a bull who is tough
to bring down and will get the yards inside.
Blackman and Washington have a bit less
size, but offer that needed change of pace
with their quickness. True freshman Toney
Baker was a prep all-American who broke
ex-N.C. State back McLendon's (N.C.) state
high school career rushing record. The Wolfpack
also have big expectations for Andre Brown,
another big, fast, highly-touted back. Then
there's true frosh Toney Baker
but
we have to stop somewhere, sorry. Get the
point now? This dimension will be leaned
upon until the QB unit is stable, and a
true scheme can then be put in place and
the role-players will be solidified. With
a young, unestablished line, these guys
will be YAC-ing it up real soon, so their
size becomes essential for this reason.
Receiver
Davis gets five significant role-players
back, but experience is still scarce here.
FL Brian Clark has both good size and the
most real-game reps (ugh, with 53 career
catches). Similar in their formidable stature,
Lamart Barrett and Sterling Hicks (17 combined
starts) also can both stretch a defense.
The Wolfpack look for more out of oft-found-in-the-slot
HB Tramain Hall - the speedster caught 28
in '04, a huge drop from 69 in '03. John
Dunlap would provide a huge lift if he returns
(ACL surgery). Another tall, strong receiver
with great speed, he tore his ACL playing
basketball in December. As a group, the
receivers will play better, an essential
part if/when the QB unit struggles for identity
and production.
Tight
End
In 2004, T.J. Williams became the first
TE since '67 to lead State in receiving.
A good combination of size, strength and
sure hands makes Williams one of the nation's
top receiving tight ends. Similar in size
is backup John Ritcher, who is a better
blocker as well as a decent receiver. They
send these guys deeper routes than most
other teams, but expect them to stay home
in the early stages when Davis is in (lack
of mobility). These TEs are a good barometer
- when you see them start to produce, you'll
know this offense has its foundation.
Offensive
Line
A host of injuries hit the line late in
2004, which was a big reason why the Wolfpack
fell out of bowl contention with four straight
losses down the stretch. If the group stays
healthy this year, it will be good. The
first priority is filling two major holes
(75 starts worth), as all-ACC guard/center
Leroy Harris will permanently slide over
to center. Harris has a good combination
of toughness and athleticism, though his
shoulder is still healing. James Newby is
slated for left tackle, but he can play
anywhere when needed. John McKeon started
every game at right guard in 2004, but Kalani
Heppe is pushing him for the job. There
will be an interesting battle at left guard.
Luke Lathan is slated to start after having
a good freshman year, but the coaching staff
shifted Dwayne Herndon and John Amanchukwu
from defense to solidify the line. Herndon
is very tough and physical, while Amanchukwu,
a former walk-on and still an ordained minister,
obviously can motivate himself and others
to give leadership to this young squad.
Massive Derek Morris will return, but he
is one of the few over 300, so expect the
group's quickness to be a dividend that
the running game can cash in on right away,
and will aid in bringing down State's 31
sacks allowed.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Offense was the reason N.C. State failed,
as ranking 81st in the country in total
offense and 72nd in scoring never cuts it.
Five times, they scored 17 or fewer points.
Having a year under his belt, Davis will
cut down on mistakes (11 of his 15 INTs
came in three games, all close losses).
The young line has depth, so tough early
contests (Va. Tech) will instill the edge
needed so that they can protect whichever
(style of) QB is in. The running game has
to be their focus, though, for putting unwarranted
pressure on any of the young QBs will cause
this offense to implode. Foes will know
this, so the line really gets tested early
as the box will be loaded until Davis &
Co. prove they can beat them. So, as the
QB progress goes, so goes the destiny of
this entire team. To that ends, longtime
NFL assistant Marc Trestman takes over here,
and his successful work with guys like Gannon,
Kosar and Testeverde (at Miami 1982-83)
tells us he will shape this QB unit up before
fall. As OC, his Oakland squad went to the
Super Bowl (2003) as the leagues #1 total
offense. Trestman will see every possible
angle, so it is just his ability to motivate
on this level that has to again be proven.
State will sneak up on those few foes who
don't realize that, and, at sometime soon,
when no one can predict, this offense will
hit the ground with wheels already spinning
and just take off.
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OG
Leroy Harris (PHOTO BY: Gene Galin)
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NORTH
CAROLINA STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Jay
Davis-Sr (6-2, 220) |
Marcus
Stone-So (6-4, 234) |
TB |
Bobby
Washington-So (6-1, 210) |
Darrell
Blackman-So (6-0, 205)
Reggie Davis-Jr (6-1, 233) |
WR |
Lamart
Barrett-Jr (6-1, 190) |
Sterling
Hicks-Sr (6-2, 195) |
WR |
Brian
Clark-Sr (6-3, 205) |
John
Dunlap-So (6-3, 207) |
HB |
Tramain
Hall-Sr (5-10, 190) |
Andrew
Evans-Fr (6-0, 180) |
TE |
T.J.
Williams-Sr (6-3, 253) |
John
Ritcher-Sr (6-3, 255) |
OT |
James
Newby-Jr (6-5, 295) |
Merci
Falaise-Jr (6-5, 305) |
OG |
John
Amanchukwu-Jr (6-5, 283) |
Dwayne
Herndon-Sr (6-3, 286) |
C |
Leroy
Harris-Jr (6-3, 295) |
John
McKeon-Sr (6-5, 307) |
OG |
Kalani
Heppe-So (6-4, 289) |
Luke
Lathan-So (6-4, 295) |
OT |
Derek
Morris-Jr (6-6, 333) |
Jon
Holt-Jr (6-6, 299) |
K |
John
Deraney-Jr (6-4, 215) |
.. |
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2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
This is arguably the best defensive line
in the country. Mario Williams, a first-team
all-ACC DE as a sophomore and second-team
NC.net all-American this year, spends his
game days in opponents' backfields. When
Williams size-speed-combo won't get to the
quarterback, Manny Lawson('s) will. He led
the team in sacks in his first year. The
former-LB is long, lean and strong, making
his (4.5 40-speed) burst tough to block.
Raymond Brooks, too, had a big year as a
freshman, and he joins others to provide
excellent depth. Tackles John McCargo and
Tank Tyler didn't get the ink the ends got,
but both garner double-teams often enough
to set the others up well, and this evidently
works. In his career here, McCargo has started
all but one game. Wake Forest and Georgia
Tech kept this from also being the top rushing
defense - 2.62 per carry ranked them second
and allowing only six ground scores means
they tied for fourth at that. Ok, so 31
sacks weren't quite as strong
but what
do you think returning their entire two-deep
unit will allow this defense to once again
do? The new secondary will be banking on
another stellar group performance so it
can get its bearings.
Linebacker
Plenty of talent remains, even with two
major exits. Leadership will come from well-sized
senior Oliver Hoyte, who led the team in
tackles and was third in TFLs and is always
around the ball. Where he plays is up in
the air, but we note that Hoyte wasn't as
effective as the departees in coverage.
He has been shifted to the weak side for
now because of an injury to Stephen Tulloch.
The quicker Tulloch produces with his hard
hits, but had shoulder surgery in January
and won't play until fall. Pat Lowerey's
size-n-speed means he becomes the starter
in the middle. Sophomores Ernest Jones and
LeRue Rumph were defensive backs last year,
but find themselves competing for the strong-side
position to bolster any underneath protection
that is so vital in attempting to keep that
top ranking. The whole unit pretty much
runs a 4.6-second 40, so it is just a matter
of acclimation to new DC and LB's coach
Steve Dunlap and his system. This transition
shouldn't be bumpy with so much unmolded
"clay" to shape.
Defensive
Back
This unit is gutted, gills to tail. The
performance of this secondary is in direct
relation to that of the defensive line,
because while the line is perhaps the best
in the country, the secondary is young and
new to starting roles. As long as the line
does its part, the secondary should be fine.
Cornerback Marcus Hudson is the only returning
starter, but his six starts came at safety,
and he also has one at linebacker. He came
to N.C. State as a corner, though, and has
played over 1,200 career snaps there. He's
got exceptional size for a corner to go
along with his speed, and he makes big plays.
At the other corner is A.J. Davis, one of
the team's fastest players. Tough, physical
Garland Heath fits the prototype of what
the Wolfpack wants at the rover position.
Safety seems to be the only concern, as
the last two recruiting classes have been
DB-lacking. How far this unit drops ostensibly
tells of the entire team's plight. But with
alum Greg "Barry Brady" Williams
again honing the CB's skills, expect his
eye and ability to again shine through these
newbies so that potential here is reached.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
In his first year at N.C. State, defensive
coordinator Reggie Herring turned the Wolfpack
from the 89th-ranked defense in country
in 2003 to No. 1 a year ago. Always too
good to be true in Raleigh, Herring has
bolted for a raise at Arkansas. Steve Dunlap
takes over, and while the defense may not
lead the country again, it'll be very good
despite him. Dunlap squandered Syracuse'
47th-rated D of 2003 and turned it into
last campaign's 101st, so our confidence
has waned in him since taking WVU to its
No.1 defensive ranking (1996). Getting Tulloch
back from shoulder surgery will make the
front seven extremely tough to move the
ball against, which will take pressure off
the secondary while it matures. With as
much potential as they have, the DBs will
not again win/save games, so keeping play
in front of them will be their key not to
cause losses single-handedly. The slate
is luckily a bit softer than last, so the
learning curve can work for and not against
them this way.
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DE
Mario Williams (PHOTO BY: Gene Galin)
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NORTH
CAROLINA STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Mario
Williams-Jr (6-7, 285) |
Willie
Young-Fr (6-5, 215) |
DT |
John
McCargo-Jr (6-2, 295) |
Martrel
Brown-So (6-2, 285) |
DT |
Tank
Tyler-Jr (6-2, 294) |
DeMario
Pressley-So (6-4, 280) |
DE |
Manny
Lawson-Sr (6-5, 245) |
Raymond
Brooks-So (6-3, 270) |
SLB |
LeRue
Rumph-So (6-1, 225) |
Ernest
Jones-So (6-2, 220) |
MLB |
Oliver
Hoyte-Sr (6-3, 252) |
Pat
Lowery-Jr (6-2, 240) |
WLB |
Stephen
Tulloch-Jr (5-11, 230) |
Marcus
Howell-Jr (6-2, 223) |
CB |
Marcus
Hudson-Sr (6-2, 200) |
Jimmie
Sutton-So (5-11, 175) |
CB |
A.J.
Davis-Jr (5-10, 188) |
Phillip
Holloman-So (5-11, 190) |
ROV |
Garland
Heath-Jr (6-2, 220) |
DaJuan
Morgan-Fr (6-2, 195) |
FS |
J.J.
Jones-Sr (6-0, 178) |
Miguel
Scott-So (6-1, 190) |
P |
John
Deraney-Jr (6-4, 215_ |
.. |
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2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker/Punter
John Deraney literally does it all. He was responsible
for every punt, place kick and kickoff a year
ago. He'll average a solid 41+ yards per punt
after dumping 17-of-60 inside the 20. But his
7-of-15 performance from 30+ was accentuated by
going a combined 0-of-5 against Ga. Tech (loss)
and Wake (OT win). His streaky nature, especially
deep, means he will again cost them a few close
ones, though his leg strength (53 yarder versus
Va. Tech) will also win a few, too. KO coverage
was abysmal for such a great defense, so look
for advancements there and in net punting results,
another inconsistency that will improve due to
competitions at DB.
Return
Game
The Wolfpack ranked 14th for KOs. Two reasons
why - Bobby Washington and Marcus Hudson - are
both back. Darrell Blackman finished third-ranked
in all I-A for returning punts, so expect that
he wrestles the hat from Tramian Hall.
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