Let’s start with the obvious: The N.C. State football team did not live up to its lofty preseason expectations. This team was arguably the most talented it had been in years. So many fans expected the Pack to contend for the Atlantic Division and possibly the ACC title.
With graduate student quarterback Mike Glennon returning on offense and one of the best secondaries in the country bolstering the defense, the Wolfpack seemed poised for a breakout season under sixth-year head coach Tom O’Brien.
The season didn’t start the way State fans hoped. A 35-21 loss to Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game didn’t feel good by any means, but it was still early in the season. Glennon had an unusually off night, throwing three interceptions, and junior preseason All-American cornerback David Amerson was unexpectedly beaten twice on deep throws, both resulting in Tennessee touchdowns.
As it turned out, the Tennessee loss was a sign of things to come. Pre-snap penalties, dropped balls and other mental lapses plagued the Wolfpack in the season opener. Hard as it tried, things just never seemed to come together for the Pack.
Wins over Connecticut, South Alabama and Citadel put the Pack back on track at 3-1, but it was the 44-37 loss to Miami that sounded the alarm bells for Wolfpack nation.
Although the Pack offense lit up Miami’s defense, State’s defense was equally atrocious. Basically, the Wolfpack defense couldn’t stop an ice cream truck with a $100 bill. State should’ve made mincemeat of Miami, but it was becoming painfully obvious that this was not the Wolfpack we all expected to see throughout the preseason.
Losses to North Carolina, Virginia, Clemson and Vanderbilt ensured that N.C. State finished the season a mediocre 7-6. For a team that was talented enough to contend for the ACC title, 7-6 was unacceptable for most Wolfpack fans. It proved to be unacceptable for Director of Athletics Debbie Yow as she decided to fire O’Brien after the end of the regular season.
For all of its talent, the 2012 Wolfpack football team will most likely be remembered as an underachieving football team.
But I will remember it differently. Straight after the Miami loss, the Pack played against Florida State in Raleigh. A win for the Wolfpack meant the ACC title was still within reach. This was expected to be a walkover for the Seminoles, ranked No. 3 in the nation at the time. Nobody told this to the Wolfpack players.
Florida State jumped out to a 16-0 lead by halftime, but the Seminoles just couldn’t seem to close the door on the Pack. After a few missed opportunities by the ‘Noles, I couldn’t help but think that maybe the Pack could turn this game around. One thing was for sure; it could’ve been a lot worse than 16-0 at the half.
A completely different Wolfpack team took the field in the second half. State’s defense looked tougher and more rugged than it had all year. It was an inspired performance from the much-maligned defense, reminding me of State’s hard-nosed defense in 2010.
State’s offense struggled to find a foothold against FSU’s defense, but the Pack kept chipping away. A combination of stout defense and a resilient offense narrowed the score to 16-10 with 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The game came down to one final drive for N.C. State, one final drive to preserve State’s season.
Statistics will show that the drive was 12 plays for 43 yards and finished with a 2-yard passing touchdown from Glennon to sophomore receiver Brian Underwood.
But it meant so much more than statistics can ever show. Glennon and the Wolfpack offense converted three fourth-downs on the drive, including the game-winning touchdown, to make the game an instant classic. I remember the touchdown pass and the victory celebration by the fat, shirtless dude like it was yesterday.
When the chips were down and it was do-or-die, the Pack came through. The victory ensured it still had a realistic chance of winning the ACC title, and it was also a momentous occasion for O’Brien, Glennon and the rest of the team. It was the first, and only, time I ever saw O’Brien smile. The players and coaching staff celebrated like they had just won a national championship.
That’s what I’ll remember about this team. I’ll remember the heart it showed against all odds to fight back and save its season. I’ll remember the uncontrolled smiles on players’ faces as they celebrated. This team fought like hell all season and whatever shortcomings were shown on the field, it wasn’t for a lack of effort.
