N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson (16) is carted off the field after a hit by USC defensive end Jordin Lindsey (41) during the second quarter as the Gamecocks take on N.C. State at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., August 28, 2008.
North Carolina State coach Tom O’Brien was quick to place the blame of the season-opening 34-0 setback against South Carolina on Thursday night on the lack of offense the displayed by the Wolfpack.
“Our defense played well but just ran out of gas down the stretch,” the second-year Wolfpack coach said. “A lot of that can be contributed to the ineptitude of our offense. Certainly we have to solve some problems there.”
The offense was the one area N.C. State expected to be much improved. Last season they were ranked 98th out of 119 teams in total offense. O’Brien named redshirt freshman Russell Wilson the starting quarterback after a three-person race during preseason drills. His running and throwing ability was supposed to open up the attack.
But that plan was derailed by Wilson’s scary second quarter injury. Jordin Lindsey was tackling Wilson as he tried to run around the right end. On his way to the ground, Cliff Matthews’ knee caught Wilson in the back of the neck and he instantly fell motionless. After a few minutes on the turf, Wilson was taken to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a grade three concussion. A N.C. State media spokesperson said Wilson did not suffer any injury to his spinal cord and had movement in his arms and legs.
Wilson was replaced by senior Daniel Evans, who said the injury had no bearing on the offensive play.
“They did what we were expecting but you have to give them credit for blanking us,” Evans said. “It’s hard to see a teammate down like Russell but the hangover from that had nothing to do with the way we played.”
Most all of the Wolfpack skill position players that were made available to the media pointed the fingers at themselves but also said the South Carolina defense had a lot to do with the 138 total yards of offense.
Andre Brown accounted for 101 yards on 21 carries but said the physical play of the USC defense had a lot to do with the “ineptitude.”
“We kept putting the defense in bad situations,” Brown said. “But the USC defense was solid. They flew to the ball real well but we should’ve moved the ball better against them.”
N.C. State has gone nine quarters without an offensive touchdown. The Wolfpack were shut out 37-0 by Maryland in last year’s final game. Their most effective drive ended at the USC 32-yard line, but a 49-yard field goal attempt was short and wide right.
The passing attack finished 5-for-20 for 49 yards and two interceptions. The 49 yards were the lowest since they had that total against Appalachian State to open the 2006 season.
O’Brien said the USC secondary and pressure on the quarterback had a lot to do the lack of a passing attack.
“I think they are an excellent defense,” O’Brien said. “They are powerful. I think we rushed the ball (OK). We couldn’t throw on them, couldn’t get away from them.”
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