The year was 2000. New coach, new uniforms, new quarterback. The legend of Philip Rivers was officially born on September 2nd with a double overtime win over Arkansas State, and it grew with an incredible road comeback at Indiana the following week. My favorite line at the time came from Chuck Amato after the game: "The kid is officially potty trained."
But this was the first big test. Thursday night. ESPN. First conference game against Georgia Tech, who was 2-1 having barely lost to #2 FSU 12 days earlier. In the first half, it didn't look good. Georgia Tech broke through in the first quarter with a 31 yard touchdown run to go up 7-0. Meanwhile, on offense, the Pack struggled to move the ball. Rivers only had 87 yards passing in the first half and was sacked multiple times. (He would go on to get sacked 7 times in the game) The second quarter wasn't much better as Georgia Tech connected on long field goals of 50 and 43 to go into halftime up 13-0.
The game began to turn in the third quarter when the teams combined for three turnovers in five plays. First, Levar Fisher recovered a fumble at the GT 43. Then after a Rivers interception, Fisher forced another fumble on the Tech 1, which was scooped up for a score by JJ Washington. Tech's lead had been trimmed to 13-7.
Less than six minutes later, the Pack had the ball at midfield. Another Georgia Tech blitz, and they had Philip wrapped up for the sack....
But he escaped...
And hit Koren Robinson streaking over the middle. Robinson would race 48 yards for the score, and the game was tied. A missed extra point left the score at 13-13. Georgia Tech regrouped and late in the third quarter, another Manget field goal put the Jackets back in front 16-13.
Early in the fourth quarter, Koren Robinson was back at it. This time hooking up with Rivers for a 6 yard touchdown that put NC State up for the first time 20-16.
Georgia Tech then marched down the field, deep in Wolfpack territory, where Terrence Holt picked off George Godsey and raced up the sideline 34 yards.
The Tech defense held, and the Pack settled for a 34 yard Kent Passingham field goal to make it 23-16 with under five minutes to go. Never a team to make things easy, NC State allowed Georgia Tech to take the kickoff 50 yards, and the Jackets marched it down inside the ten. On fourth down, and the Jackets down to the last attempt with 1:20 to play, Godsey connected with Kerry Watkins for a 7 yard TD pass, and the game was tied. This one is going to overtime!
NC State got the ball first and gained seven yards on first down. On 2nd down, Rivers audibled to the fade pass, and lofted a pass to Koren Robinson in the corner of the end zone for a 23 yard TD pass and the go ahead score!
On Tech's possession, they reached the five and had fourth down again. This time, the Pack defense held, and NC State was 4-0! The celebration was on as the goal posts came down and the students took them right off the field!
Today's honorable mention:
1991 NC State over Georgia Tech 28-21
2005 NC State over Georgia Tech 17-14
2010 NC State over Georgia Tech 45-28
Up next tomorrow: UVA
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