After the Wolfpack defeated Vanderbilt in the Raleigh Regional, it entered an elite class among major college athletic programs. Although it was hard to believe after a mediocre 2010 year, N.C . State now joins Florida and Baylor as one of only three universities this season to have its basketball team advance to the NCAA Sweet 16, its baseball team win a regional championship and football team win a bowl game. Here’s a look back at the past two years and what path each program went on to achieving success:
Football:
Football didn’t see an increase in wins during its last campaign after going 8-5-good for fourth in the ACC-but reached a bowl game for the second consecutive year, where the Pack defeated Louisville 31-24 in the Belk Bowl.
During the 2010 season State went 9-4, tying for second in the conference, and won the Champs Sports Bowl against West Virginia, 23-7.
The buzz around the program was the departure of standout quarterback Russell Wilson, who transferred to Wisconsin and eventually led his team to a Rose Bowl win. Taking over for Wilson was redshirt junior quarterback Mike Glennon , who took limited snaps for the Wolfpack in his previous two seasons. After a shaky start during his first game against Liberty, Glennon went on to throw for more than 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns on the year.
Another crucial piece of the Wolfpack’s football revival was sophomore defensive back David Amerson . In his second year, Amerson set the record for most interceptions in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 13. He capped off his incredible year with a five-tackle, two-interception game at the Belk Bowl, returning one of the picks back for a touchdown.
Perhaps the most memorable game of the season was against ACC rival Clemson, which was ranked No. 8 in the country going into the game. The Wolfpack defeated the Tigers 37-13, dissolving Clemson’s hopes of a National Championship run. N.C . State followed up the following week with a historic comeback against the Maryland Terrapins.
Basketball:
In Sidney Lowe’s final year, he led the Wolfpack to a 15-16 (5-11 ACC) record, putting the Pack in the basement of the ACC.
However, the 2011 season was one to remember for the Wolfpack faithful, who watched their team reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2005-06 season under Herb Sendek . Current head coach Mark Gottfried was brought in to replace Lowe and made an immediate impact.
Gottfried can be credited for leading the drastic turnaround in the basketball program, guiding the Wolfpack to a 24-13 (9-7 ACC) record, which was good for fourth in the ACC and clinched a spot in the NCAA Sweet 16.
Students and alumni have been thirsty for a revival in the basketball program after being mostly irrelevant in the ACC against rivals Duke and Carolina in recent years. This season, the Pack pushed both schools to the limit. Carolina won the semi-final game of the ACC tournament by only two points, and Duke shockingly trailed by as many as 20 points in its comfortable confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The fact of the matter is, the Wolfpack is relevant again.
To further the excitement around campus, rising junior C.J . Leslie decided to stay another year rather than leave for the NBA, and the University has a top 10 recruiting class coming in this year.
With the return of senior forwards Richard Howell and Scott Wood, junior guards Lorenzo Brown and Leslie, and the stellar incoming freshman class, the Wolfpack is considered strong favorites to compete for an ACC title.
Baseball:
Baseball completed the trifecta, defeating Vanderbilt in the Raleigh Regional in dramatic fashion. The Wolfpack increased their win total this year by eight games, finishing with a record of 43-20 (14-11 ACC) and were crowned NCAA Regional Champions. They went on to play Florida in the Super-Regional but dropped the opening two games, ending the season for the Wolfpack.
Head coach Elliot Avent brought in a freshman class that may go down as one of the best in program history; pitcher Carolos Rodon , catcher Brett Austin, third basemen Trea Turner and outfielder Jake Fincher were all essential to the Pack’s success this year.
Rodon finished the year with a 9-0 record and an ERA of 1.61, earning him the 2012 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman Pitcher of the Year. Rodon was also named ACC Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, First-Team All-ACC, Freshmen All-American First-Team and a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Junior shortstop Chris Diaz was named to the All-ACC second team.
Turner was also named to the freshman NCBWA Freshman All-American team, giving the Pack two freshmen and the distinguished honor of being one of only four other programs in the country to have more than one selection.
State’s athletic revival is something fans and alumni have been long waiting for. To become relevant not only in the ACC but to also push for national championships is now something that doesn’t seem as out of reach as it did just one year ago.
