In honor of Homecoming Week, Technician Sports will be recognizing the top five individuals who had the greatest impact as players in the 116-year history of N.C. State football.
#2 Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers: the face of a program
No player in the twenty-first century defined his college program like Philip Rivers did from 2000 to 2003. Rivers, who was recruited by Mike O’Cain but coached by Chuck Amato, started all 51 games at quarterback in his four years for the Wolfpack.
Rivers literally rewrote the N.C. State and ACC record books. In his career, he put up ridiculous statistics–1087 completions for 13,484 passing yards and 95 touchdowns. When he was finally done, he was the second leading passer in NCAA history, and held nearly every passing and total offense record for the school and the conference.
Rivers capped his career in 2003 with a senior season in which he led the nation with a 72.0 completion percentage and 170.49 pass efficiency rating. That year, Rivers threw for over 300 yards in nine games and finished with 4,491 yards passing and 34 touchdowns.
In his time as a starter, State put up a record of 34-17. The pack went to bowl games each year and won three of them, highlighted by a 28-6 victory against Notre Dame in the 2002 Gator Bowl.
He was named the 2003 ACC player of the year and was also recognized as the MVP of the Senior Bowl. His No. 17 jersey was retired before his final home game on Nov. 22, 2003
He is currently the starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers after being selected with the fourth pick of the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, and traded to the Chargers moments later.
