For the first time since the 2003 season, with Phillip Rivers under center, N.C. State posted a nine-win season. The nine wins tie as the second-highest total in school history.
“Certainly we’re excited about the opportunity to win this football game,” coach Tom O’Brien said. “West Virginia was a great team, they won nine games, they’re a ranked team and there are three schools from our conference with opportunities to play ranked teams and we are one of them. Getting the ninth win is huge for this program.”
The lopsided bowl victory over No. 22 West Virginia was not only a milestone for the University and the Wolfpack, it marked O’Brien’s 100th career win in his 14-year head coaching career. Only two other ACC coaches, Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech and Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech, have posted 100 or more career victories.
The defense, which drastically improved from a year ago, had arguably its best performance of the season. Led by redshirt senior linebacker Nate Irving, who missed all of the 2009 season after car accident, the defense forced five turnovers and held West Virginia to just seven points.
“It wasn’t really about proving people wrong,” Irving said. “It was about coming out and doing what we know we can do, playing hard, tough football.”
The 2010 campaign marks the first winning season for the members of the senior class and the first bowl win since the 2005 victory over USF in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
“It means a whole lot to me,” Irving said. “Going through what I went through last year and also the previous years on the team, not being able to have a winning season but to come back and go out as a champion, it feels real good.”
Although the senior class had only one winning season, the 2010 N.C. State class can also brag about something only two other classes in school history can claim: four straight victories over North Carolina.
Along with the team’s success against bitter rival, many players have etched their names into N.C. State record books throughout their respective careers. Senior placekicker Josh Czajkowski finished his career as NC State record-holder for point-after-touchdown kicks with 119 for his career.
Senior wide receivers Jarvis Williams and Owen Spencer finished their careers ranked fifth and seven respectively in career receptions at NC State. Spencer is the school record-holder with a 19.37 career yards per catch average and his total of 2,441 yards is the third-best mark in school history, trailing only long-time Ram’s great Torrey Holt and current New York Jet Jerricho Cotchery. Williams ranks third all time in career touchdown receptions with 20.
Senior linebacker Nate Irving set a national record of eight tackles for loss in his final game in Carter-Finley.
Redshirt junior quarterback Russell Wilson tied the single season record for touchdown responsibility with 37 and set a new school record with 527 pass attempts. His 3,563 passing yards and 308 completions rank as the second-highest marks in school history. Wilson’s touchdown responsibility is second highest all time in the ACC.
Wilson, the ACC’s leading passer, who is currently a professional baseball player, has already graduated but has the option to return to Raleigh for one more year of football with the Pack. However, after throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns and earning bowl MVP honors, the charismatic redshirt junior declined to comment on his future as the quarterback at N.C. State.
“I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to play football and baseball my whole life,” Wilson said. “If it happens in the future that I can still do that, or if it doesn’t, whatever, but I know that playing for Coach (Tom) O’Brien and playing for N.C. State – whether I do come back or not – has been a great opportunity and a great blessing.”
