State facing a difficult assignment against Virginia Tech

By: By Bill Cole | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: November 21, 2009

N.C. State has had more than its share of demanding Saturdays this season, but Coach Tom O'Brien isn't sure that any of them will top today.

N.C. State will play at Virginia Tech (3:30, ESPNU Ch. 143) in its final road game of the season. And for O'Brien, there probably isn't an ACC program that presents more problems each year than Tech.

"They're the school that just reloads," O'Brien said. "They have a system, especially on defense. They recruit to the system."

N.C. State (4-6, 1-5 ACC) has lost five of its past six games but still can finish with a .500 record with wins today and next week against North Carolina. Virginia Tech is 7-3 and 4-2. The programs will meet for the first time since the 2005 season.

The Wolfpack has been hampered all season by significant injuries, but junior receiver Owen Spencer backs O'Brien in saying that no one has given up on the season and that significant accomplishments are still possible.

"If they had given up, they would have given up on us already," Spencer said. "Right now we have a lot to fight for and everybody knows that. That's why we're still playing strong. We want to finish up the season well."

State's defense will be squarely in the spotlight again, trying to contain two of the ACC's most prolific offensive stars -- running back Ryan Williams and quarterback Tyrod Taylor -- but the unit has struggled. Since holding Gardner-Webb to 14 points in the third game, N.C. State has allowed 281 points in seven games, with all seven opponents scoring at least 30 and four of the last five scoring at least 43.

Williams is averaging 1231/2 rushing yards a game and has scored 11 touchdowns. One week after playing against an all-around back being touted for Heisman Trophy consideration (Clemson's C.J. Spiller) State will go against the probable ACC rookie of the year. And the defense, O'Brien said, will have to adjust.

"They're two different kinds of runners," O'Brien said. "Williams can come out of piles. He's going to bang up in there. He's a more physical style runner. C.J. is going to fake you out. He's going to make you miss."

Taylor leads the ACC is pass efficiency and is on the move almost constantly, scrambling or running. He has been intercepted three times and has passed for 1,720 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has rushed for another 292 yards and four touchdowns and is Tech's second leading rusher behind Williams.

N.C. State's defense has had detailed training to defend Taylor -- going against Russell Wilson in practice. Defensive end Willie Young is hoping that daily preparation will help.

"I know of him; I've seen him play," Young said. "When he's on, he's on. He always has his feet working for him, too. You can't sleep on him."

Lane Stadium can be one of the ACC's most intimidating venues. All seats will be filled, the noise can be deafening, and that support has helped Virginia Tech amass an 18-2 record in November games since joining the ACC.

There's a solution, Spencer says, but it won't be easy to implement.

"At the first snap we've just got to block out the crowd," he said. "We've got to be positive, and strong minded. We've got to communicate.

"We can't let the crowd beat us. The crowd doesn't play the game. Virginia Tech's going to play the game. It's a loud stadium, but I don't think it will be a factor, depending on how we prepare ourselves."

bcole@wsjournal.com.