2002 Statistics

written by James Johnson

No team in college football has a more experienced quarterback than Philip Rivers. He has started 35 games and attempted over 1,200 passes for more than 9,000 yards. By the end of this season, barring injury, he will hold most of the NC State and ACC passing records.

Rivers, a sturdy 6'5", 236 pounds, has improved his statistics every year, but this season he will seek to improve his won-lost record, particularly in conference games. Despite guiding the Wolfpack to three consecutive bowl games, Rivers has only a 13-11 record in ACC games. He struggled to make big plays when State lost three straight conference games last November. The pressure will be on him to perform at the level he did against FSU and in the Gator Bowl against Notre Dame - more consistently against needed teams.

Speaking of pressure, sophomore running back T. A. McLendon (5'11", 214 lbs.) will have plenty of it on his shoulders this season. As a true freshman, McLendon led the Wolfpack with 1,101 yards and a school record 18 TDs last season. He fought injuries (two separated shoulders and a broken wrist) and appeared to wear down late in the season. McLendon showed plenty of toughness and heart, and a season without major injury will allow him to join the ranks of the elite backs, he is that special. If State wins at Ohio State early, and McLendon plays well, he could easily join the short list of Heisman Trophy candidates.

The Wolfpack has a deep and experienced corps of receivers. Senior Jerricho Cotchery is a bona fide big play threat. He caught 67 passes for 1,192 yards, but, more importantly, 18 catches went longer than 20 yards, and he is also an outstanding blocker. Stretching the defense is always needed. Junior Sterling Hicks (6'2", 182 lbs.) will be expected to step up, and newcomer Tramain Hall will also rotate. None is the large, run-after-catch-types, so if this squad has success, it will likely be as a group with only Cotchery standing out.

Some of Rivers' and McLendon's late-season struggles can be attributed to a thin offensive line. Due to a lack of depth, State had to rely on two converted defensive linemen and walk-ons to fill in holes. Three starters return after allowing only 11 sacks, yet a modest 3.9 yards-per-carry. It appears that the Wolfpack's offensive line is still lacking depth this season. Unless some unheralded young players step up and perform above expectations, this will be a weak link that will again cost State games against physical defenses.

TB T.A. McLendon

written by James Johnson

The Wolfpack has one of the best defensive secondaries in the ACC. The void created by the departure of FS and team-leader Terrence Holt will be filled by hard-hitting junior Andre Maddox, their second leading tackler with 114. His six passes-broken-up and added three sacks mean will be the playmaking DB that Holt bankably was.

The Pack also returns three other experienced DB's. Juniors Marcus Hudson (6'1", 193 lbs.) and Lamont Reid (6'0", 185 lbs.) provide the size needed to challenge taller receivers. Reid's versatility (scoring four special teams touchdowns, also led team with eight passes defended) will hedge the learning curve for Maddox. Greg Golden could move to safety this season, filling Holt's literal position. Golden showed promise in spot duty, co-leading the team as he also defended eight passes. None of these players has shown the big play ability of Maddox, but they provide solid pass coverage and tackle when needed.

State returns three experienced outside linebackers. 2003's LB crew is small for a major conference, but their 2002 success speaks for their big play. Pat Thomas will ably fill another leadership void, this one created by the departure of invaluable LB Dantonio Burnette. Thomas was the third leading tackler. Top JUCO recruit Kennie Covington will add valuable depth here and could compete for a starting spot. Filling out the linebacker corps are senior Roger Pollard and Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, who fought through injuries but should be healthy this season. The likely starting MLB, sophomore Oliver Hoyte, did see some playing time, but is not nearly the playmaker that Burnette was. Burnette's ability to cover the entire lateral field made the outside linebackers even better, but Hoyte does not have that kind of ability.

Running teams will test the run-stopping of the front seven early and often. Why? State will have an entirely new defensive line this season. Returning lettermen Sheldon Lewin, senior Alan Halloway and sophomore Chip Cross (6'1", 245 lbs., tiny but quick) all played about 20 snaps a game last season. Each of them showed the ability to rush the passer, but there is not one player there than an offense will be forced to pay special attention or regularly double-team. This will hinder their ability to keep blockers off their smallish linebackers.

The entire back seven is a small group that will be especially susceptible to the run. They gave up over 197 yards four times, a total that will increase. Teams will seek to pound the ball and control the clock to keep Phillip Rivers' dangerous offense off the field. Depth is also a problem in the secondary.

ROV Andre Maddox