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Oct. 28, 2003
A little over 50 days remain before Christmas, but Atlantic Coast Conference football fans are going to get an early present this Saturday in Raleigh. Two of the nations best quarterbacks square off at Carter Findley Stadium when Virginia travels to North Carolina State. This week is why people love college football. The Wolfpack and UVA are both 3-2 in the league and already this game carries bowl implications. NC State has been trying to fight off the injury bug while the Cavs are just trying to discover a little consistency on offense. As far as Philip Rivers vs. Matt Schaub? Has there been a better quarterback match up in recent history?
The Cavaliers’ number 7 is now number one in the country in completion percentage (70.95%) and Rivers, who owns almost every ACC passing record, is number 2 (70.83%). The Athens, Alabama QB needs just 92 yards throwing to become the first player in ACC history to have three consecutive seasons of over 3,000 yards passing. He is fifth all time on the NCAA list with over 11,000 yards.
“They are very comparable,” UVA head coach Al Groh told his media news conference Monday. “They have the same accuracy and are both vital to the success of the team. Saturday won’t be a revelation what the teams will see. I think we all know.”
The Pack is hurting. Running back T.A. McClendon, who makes the State passing game more efficient, has had two arthroscopic surgeries within 7 days. NC State’s offensive line has been reshuffled more than a deck of cards, and the Wolfies have had to rely on a lot of young players on defense.
Virginia enters the game after taking the second half off against Troy State. Posting 24 points with 20 first downs in the opening half last week, UVA went fairly conservative and began the “look ahead” notion.
“I was pleased with the defense,” Groh said. “No points, three takeaways…my job is not to hand out medals but coach every player on every play, every day. As far as the offense…what needs to be addressed has been addressed. Our focus is on us.”
And that might be the reason the head coach felt Monday should be an off day for the players.
“It’s a reward and a chance to get some rest…a chance to re-focus. I want to make sure we are fresh for the stretch drive.”
“This is going to be quite a month with all the teams that are 3-2 in the league,” Groh stated. “Most of the teams have a pretty challenging November. We faced it last year, I hope we are up to it again.”
The Wolfpack has already posted 6 wins, beating Western Carolina, Clemson, Texas Tech, North Carolina, Connecticut and Duke. Following the Virginia game NC State will travel to Florida State, and face Maryland at home so this week-end is an absolute must win for both sides. Virginia still has another ACC road game to College Park and a home meeting with Georgia Tech before the Hokie invasion.
Groh mentioned on Monday a slight Cavalier advantage against State and the high powered passing attack.
“Our safeties, (Jermaine) Hardy and (Jamaine) Winborne have been corners that have covered people man to man. I think that’s an edge for us since we will see so many four-wide sets.”
One other positive for the Wahoos is Robbie Catterton, who was in uniform against Troy State, will be available as well as Lance Evans who saw some time in the second half against the Trojans.
Game Notables:
Philip Rivers has thrown 82 career touchdown passes, the most in ACC history…but he has never thrown one against Virginia. NC State’s remaining opponents have a combined winning percentage of 71%.
The Muffin has risen…with his interception and sack against Troy State Almondo Curry has 7 career picks and 7 career sacks. He is currently second in the league with four interceptions in eight games.
The Cavaliers have won four of the last five in the series, and the game they lost was head coach Al Groh’s first year when the Pack delivered a 24-0 “KO”. Groh said Monday since then….quote…”we’ve gotten better defensively.”
State’s pass defense ranks 112th in the country, giving up 292 yards per game.