WOLFPACK AND EAGLES RENEW OLD RIVALRY
Last year's game between NC State and Boston College was the first meeting between the two schools in almost 70 years. The two teams met in back-to-back years in 1936 and 1937, with the first game being hosted by BC at Boston's Fenway Park, and the second at the old Alumni Stadium. The Wolfpack won in Fenway, 12-7, and lost the next year, 7-3.

Last season's matchup was the first meeting between the two teams as members of the same conference, as the Eagles joined the ACC last season. BC handled the Wolfpack in that contest, 30-10, in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

LAST TIME OUT VERSUS BOSTON COLLEGE
NC State jumped out to a 10-0 lead on Boston College in Chestnut Hill, thanks to a 96-yard strike from quarterback Marcus Stone to wide receiver Brian Clark, the second longest pass play in school history. Stone threw for a career-high 247 yards in the loss, but the Eagles defense held tailbacks Andre Brown and Toney Baker to 18 and 12 yards, respectively, on the ground. Stone was sacked eight times, while the highly-ranked Wolfpack defense managed just one sack and allowed 335 total yards, the third highest total allowed in 2005.

THE PACK IN ACC OPENERS
The Wolfpack posts a 29-23-1 record in its 53 ACC openers, including a 3-3 mark under Chuck Amato. When NC State opens its conference slate at home, the team posts a 11-11-1 record and is 18-12 when it plays its first league game on the road. Of the six openers under Amato, NC State is 2-2 at home with wins against Georgia Tech (2000) and Wake Forest (2002) and losses to North Carolina (2001) and Virginia Tech (2005).

COSTLY TURNOVERS
Chuck Amato preaches to his team that they must win the turnover battle each week. The Wolfpack is currently last in the ACC in turnover margin at -7, forcing three turnovers and losing a league-worst 10.

Opponents have capitalized off of the Pack's miscues, scoring 27 points in three games. That accounts for 40.3 % (27 of 67) of the total points allowed by NC State this season.

LOWERY IN THE MIDDLE
Coming in to this season, senior middle linebacker Pat Lowery had made just three starts while playing in all 36 games, averaging just 2.8 tackles-per-game. After the first three games this season, Lowery is averaging 9.7 tackles-per-game, tied for tops in the ACC. That mark also ranks 30th in the NCAA.

His previous season-high in tackles was 39 the last two seasons and Lowery already has 28 after three games.

SACK ATTACK
Three of the Wolfpack's NFL Draft picks, Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and Stephen Tulloch combined for 31.5 of the team's 41 sacks (77 percent) in 2005.

After three games this season, NC State's defense has spread around the sack party and the team is second in the ACC with nine. Seven different players have combined for the team's total, including a team-leading two sacks from defensive end Martrel Brown.

NC State's nine sacks rank 22nd in the NCAA this season.

PASSING DEFENSE PASSES EARLY TEST
NC State is fourth in the ACC in passing defense, allowing just 171.3 yards-per-game. Opposing quarterbacks are completing only 46.3 of its passes, the best mark in the ACC.

The Wolfpack defense has yet to give up a passing touchdown this season, the only team in the ACC not to allow one thus far. NC State is one of just seven teams in Division I-A to not allow a passing touchdown.

NC State has given up only one touchdown passing in the last six games dating back to last season. Only eight touchdowns were scored in the air against the Wolfpack in 2005.

BLACKMAN VALUABLE
Junior wideout Darrell Blackman is a valuable piece of the Wolfpack offense, as he averages 88.7 all-purpose yards a game, seventh in the ACC.

Blackman was injured on the opening kickoff of the Southern Miss game and missed the remainder of the contest with a MCL sprain. Blackman was listed as doubtful on Monday, and if he isn't 100% on Saturday, NC State will surely miss him.

Blackman also ranks second in kick return average at 26.8 yards-per-return, and has two receiving touchdowns on the season, tops on the team.

CUTTING IT CLOSE
Chuck Amato has now coached in 48 ACC contests since taking over the Wolfpack program in 2000, posting a 23-25 record in those contests. In 26 of those 48 games, the final outcome has been decided by a touchdown (seven points) or less, 30 have been decided by eight points or less and 34 have been decided by 10 points or less.

His ACC record includes a 12-12 mark at home. The Wolfpack has lost just four conference games by double digits at home in the past six years. In 12 home ACC wins, six have been by double digits, and the other six have been by seven or less points.

Under Amato, NC State has lost by 20-or-more points just three times and by more than 10 points just seven times in ACC games.

CLOSE AT HOME
Chuck Amato says that it is imperative that teams win their home games. His teams have posted a 27-14 slate at Carter-Finley Stadium in his seven years with the program. However, in 10 of those 14 losses, the score was decided by single digits and in seven the margin was seven points or less including the three point loss to Akron on the last play of the game two weeks ago.

PROTECTING THE QUARTERBACK
Maybe going against the Wolfpack's sack happy defense (currently second in the ACC with nine sacks) has helped NC State's offensive line protect the quarterback this season. Through the first three games the Pack O-Line has allowed just four sacks, an average of just over one-per-game. The line allowed an average of 2.9 sacks-per-game last season, including a season-worst eight against Boston College.

The offensive line coach is Pat Meyer, who in his first season with the line after serving six seasons in strength and conditioning for the Wolfpack.

STAYING AT HOME
NC State will not be racking up any frequent flier miles early in the 2006 season. Besides last weeks jaunt down to Hattiesburg, Miss., the Wolfpack will not play outside of Carter-Finley Stadium again until October 21.

The good news is that five of NC State’s first six games will be played at home this season. The bad news is that that means that four of the last six will be played on the road.

The last time the Pack was fortunate enough to begin the season with so many home contests was in 1998, when NC State also played five of the first six at home in route to a 4-2 start. That same season was also the last time NC State opened its ACC schedule with three straight at home, (NC State's 2006 conference slate opens with Boston College, Florida State and Wake Forest all visiting Carter-Finley before the Pack is forced to hit the road for an ACC affair). NC State has fared well playing at Carter-Finley early in the season under Amato, posting a 14-5 (.739) mark in home contests played in August or September. This season marked the seventh straight that Amato opened the season at home.

BROWN NEARING 1,000
With 49 yards rushing against Southern Miss, sophomore Andre Brown now has 850 career rushing yards. With his next 150 yards on the ground, Brown will be the first Wolfpack player since T.A. McLendon, and one of just 21 players in school history, to compile 1,000 career-rushing yards in a career.

DERANEY GOES LONG
Senior kicker/punter John Deraney has done it all on special teams for NC State in his career and he keeps adding accomplishments.

Deraney kicked a career-best 54-yard field goal against Southern Miss, tied for the second longest kick ever at NC State and the longest field goal for the team since 1990.

Damon Hartman kicked a 54-yarder against North Carolina in 1988, then kicked the school record 56-yarder in 1990, also against the Tar Heels.

HILL LEADS TEAM IN RECEIVING
Junior Anthony Hill has had a productive season from his tight end position. In three starts, Hill leads the team in receptions (11) and yards (103) and has led the team in receiving the last two games.The bruising blocker tallied six pancake blocks in the season opener against Appalachian State, paving the way for the Wolfpack's 206 yards rushing, and has seven on the season.

Though Hill didn't record a knockdown against Akron, he set career-highs in receptions (7) and yards (82).

Hill tied for the team lead in receptions against Southern Miss with four catches for 21 yards.

If Hill finishes the season with the team lead in receptions, it will mark the third straight year that a Wolfpack tight end has been the leading receiver. T.J. Williams led the team in 2004 and 2005 before being selected in the NFL Draft by Tampa Bay.

Hill, who had 15 receptions for 140 yards last season, was a key to the resurgence of NC State's running game last season due to his powerful blocking. In the win at ninth-ranked Florida State, Hill was credited with eight knockdown blocks, but his position coach Curt Cignetti said that he actually had 14-15 KDs, knocking the same guy down 2-3 times on the same play.

TRUE FRESHMEN WIDE OPEN
NC State has played just two true freshmen so far in 2006, both wide receivers. Donald Bowens has played all three games and is third on the team in receptions (6) and second in yards (88). He started the Southern Miss game for his first career start, and caught a 46-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to get the Pack on the board.

Jarvis Williams saw the first action of his collegiate career against Southern Miss, playing the majority of the fourth quarter and making two catches for 17 yards. His second catch was a 12-yarder for a first down as NC State moved into the Eagles territory to help set up a late Wolfpack touchdown.

DANIEL EVANS UNDER CENTER
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Daniel Evans entered the game late against Southern Miss and put up solid numbers.

In just his third game ever under center (he saw six snaps in two games last season but didn't attempt a pass), Evans completed 8-of-11 passes for 97 yards and his first career touchdown.

Evan's dad Johnny played quarterback and was an All-American punter at NC State from 1974-77 and currently provides color analysis for the Wolfpack Radio Network.

NC State Two-Deep Depth Chart

Boston College Quick Facts

BACKGROUND
Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Enrollment: 14,500
Nickname: Eagles
School Colors: Maroon & Gold
Stadium: Alumni (44,500)
Conference: ACC

TEAM
Head Coach: Tom O’Brien
Record at BC: 69-42 (9 years)
2005 Record: 9-3 (5-3)
2005 Bowl: Micron PC vs. Boise State (W)
2006 Record: 3-0 (1-0)
2006 Ranking: No. 20 (AP)

Boston College Notables

Boston College Scouting Report

Matt Ryan, QB -- Still nursing a sprained left ankle, BC quarterback Matt Ryan completed 29-of-48 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns in Boston College’s 30-23 double-overtime win over BYU.

Matt Ryan

Through three games, Ryan leads the ACC in total offense and passing average per game. He has completed 83-of-134 passes for 891 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions. The last BC quarterback to pass for more yards after three games was Doug Flutie in 1984 (938).

As a team, the Eagles are leading the ACC in total offense (400.3 yards per game) and passing offense (297.0 yards per game). The last time BC averaged more than 297 passing yards per game was in 1993 (310.9). The Eagles are also averaging 103.3 yards per game on the ground; the last time BC averaged less rushing yards per game was 70.3 in 1990.

L.V. Whitworth

L.V. Whitworth, RB -- The team's starting running back and leading rusher, Whitworth has rushed for 191 yards through three games, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He splits time at the position with Andre Callender, and Callender has gained 136 yards on the season.

Both backs give Boston College one of the ACC's top rushing attacks, especially given the Eagles strong offensive line.

Josh Beekman, RG -- Beekman is the team's top offensive lineman and a sure-fire NFL player. He is up for several postseason honors and he could be the top lineman in the ACC.

Brian Toal

B.J. Raji, DT -- The true junior started all 12 games last year and is looking for his 16th start overall. A dominant presence in the middle of BC's defensive line, Raji is best at getting pentration and creating havoc in the backfield. Through three games he has tallied six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Brian Toal, LB -- Linebacker Brian Toal serves double-duty for the Eagles. The true junior was fourth on the team in tackles in 2005 and has become BC’s not-so-secret weapon on offense. Toal has touched the ball 26 times in short-yardage situations.

He has scored eight touchdowns, including one in overtime that gave BC a 16- 13 victory at Clemson last season, two vs. Virginia, and one last week against BYU. He picked up a first down on 11 additional occasions. He has been stopped short only seven times.

Jamie Silva

Jolonn Dunbar, LB -- The team captain currently leads the Eagles in tackles, 25, as he is coming off a 10-tackle effort against BYU. Explosive and very athletic, Dunbar adds another dimension to BC's defense with his aggressive play.

Jamie Silva, S -- A preseason All-ACC selection, Silva is the leader of Boston College's defense. A ferocious hitter and big-time playmaker, Silva is all over the field making plays, and he is a statsheet stuffer. Through three games, he is averaging 8 tackles per game and has registered four tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception.

Boston College Game Notes

DOUBLE THE PLEASURE
Boston College has now played back-to-back double-overtime games (both wins) for the first time in school history. The Eagles, in fact, had been involved in only one other double-overtime game, a 45-44 loss to Miami in Tom O’Brien’s first season as head coach. The team had never played in two overtime games in one single season, much less back-to-back OT games. BC is now 4-3 all-time in overtime games and has won three in a row dating back to last season’s 16-13 OT win at Clemson, BC’s first win as a member of the ACC.

CAPTAINS
Senior offensive guard Josh Beekman, junior linebacker Jolonn Dunbar, and junior quarterback Matt Ryan are captains of the 2006 squad.

SCORING STREAK
Since Oct. 8, 1998, Boston College has not been shut out by an opponent. The streak is 94 games long. BC is 61-33 (64.9%) during the streak, outscoring opponents 2,393-1,898. During the streak, the fewest amount of points BC has scored in a game since is six: Nov. 25, 2000 @ Miami (Final Score 6-52) and Sept. 21, 2002 @ Miami (Final Score 6-38).

SMITH THIRD IN NATION IN KICK RETURNS
True freshman Jeff Smith, who led the nation in kickoff return yardage heading into last week’s game vs. BYU, is now third in the nation in that category. Smith sparked the Eagles all day in the Clemson game with his electrifying kickoff returns. Smith returned five kickoffs for 213 yards, one shy of the school record, and broke a 96-yard return for a touchdown to swing momentum in BC’s favor at the start of the second half.

Smith played quarterback and safety at Silver Lake Regional High School in Plympton, Mass., then added to his football honors with a sensational spring on the track. He finished second in the nation (at the 2006 Nike Outdoor Nationals on June 17) in the 200 meters (21.15). He also won the 2006 Massachusetts (21.01) and New England (20.89) titles in the event.

BOWLED OVER
Under Tom O’Brien, BC has gone to a school-record seven consecutive bowl games and has won six in a row; the Eagles are the only team in America to have won bowl games the past six years in a row. With a 11-6 all-time bowl game record, Boston College is second all-time in bowl game winning percentage (.647) among teams with at least 15 bowl appearances.

BOSTON COLLEGE RANKS HIGH
In the 2006 US News university rankings, Boston College is ranked 34th, a six-position upswing from 2006, is the highest ranking in school history. Boston College was also listed as 41st on the “Great Schools, Great Prices” survey. The university was ranked as one of the 25 “New Ivies” by Kaplan/Newsweek. Finally, Boston College was ranked 43rd in the National Collegiate Scouting Association Power Rankings, which averages the U.S. Sports Academy Director’s Cup rank (NACDA) and the NCAA Student-Athlete Graduation Rate of each school. BC finished 16th in the Divisions I rankings.

During Tom O’Brien’s tenure as head coach, BC has won the American Football Coaches Association’s Academic Achievement Award (2004) and finished as an Honorable Mention selection seven additional times. Following last season, USA Today re-ordered its final 2005 football Top 25 by APR (Academic Progress Rate) score to measure a combination of athletic and academic success and BC finished number one in the country.

NFL CONNECTION
Nineteen BC players have been selected in the NFL Draft during the Tom O’Brien era. Ten of these 19 players were selected in the first four rounds.

This past year, defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka was selected by the New York Giants in the first round (32nd overall), becoming the 14th player in BC football history to be selected in the first round.

TWO EAGLES ARE AWARD NOMINEES
Senior OG Josh Beekman has been named to the 2006 Outland Trophy watch list. The Outland Trophy has been awarded to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football since 1946.

Junior Brian Toal has been named to the 2006 Watch List for the 12th Chuck Bednarik Award for Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, as well as the Butkus Award for Best Linebacker. Players selected to the watch lists have distinguished themselves as All-Conference or All-America selections from their respective universities in past years.

YOU NEED TO KNOW

FATHER AND SON REUNION
Keith (defensive line coach) and Keith (sophomore defensive tackle) Willis, father and son, are entering their third season as father and son duo for Boston College. Keith Willis, the coach, enjoyed a 12-year career in the NFL (10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers) after starring at Northeastern, and is in his sixth year on the Boston College sidelines. Keith Jr., played in all 12 games last year, registering 20 tackles, and is enrolled in the Carroll School of Management.

VETERAN STAFF AT THE HELM
BC’s coaching staff is now in its fourth season completely intact. In the ten-year Tom O’Brien era at The Heights, four coaches – O’Brien, Jerry Petercuskie (recruiting/special teams), Frank Spaziani (defensive coordinator) and Don Horton (offensive line) – are in their tenth season. Dana Bible (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/wide receivers) and Jason Swepson (running backs) are each in their eighth year. Bill McGovern (linebackers) is in his seventh season. Keith Willis (defensive line) is in his sixth while two coaches – Kevin Lempa (defensive backs) and Jim Bridge (tight ends) – are each in their fourth season.

CLASS ACTS Seven players on the Boston College roster already have earned their undergraduate degrees. Eagles Larry Anam, Josh Beekman, Tony Gonzalez, James Marten, Mark Palmer, J. Survival Ross and Taylor Sele earned their degrees in 2006. Once again in 2006, the BC football program proved it is a class act by achieving one of the top six graduation rates in the country. The Honorable Mention status, bestowed by the American Football Coaches’ Association in its annual graduation rate survey, was BC’s 14th.

Boston College Depth Chart

Offense

WR 84 Kevin Challenger . . . . . . . . .5-9 . . . . . .178 . . . . .Jr.

13 Taylor Sele . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11 . . . . .204 . . . . .Sr.

LT 70 James Marten . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 . . . . . .307 . . . . .Sr.

73 Clif Ramsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6 . . . . . .313 . . . . .So.

LG 72 Ryan Poles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4 . . . . . .295 . . . . .Jr.

78 Ty Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4 . . . . . .300 . . . . .Jr.

C 61 Kevin Sheridan . . . . . . . . . . .6-3 . . . . . .290 . . . . .Jr.

62 Bryan Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3 . . . . . .292 . . . . .So.

RG 75 Josh Beekman . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1 . . . . . .321 . . . . .Sr.

67 Tom Anevski . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2 . . . . . .291 . . . . .Jr.

RT 77 Gosder Cherilus . . . . . . . . . .6-7 . . . . . .318 . . . . .Jr.

71 Carlos Huggins . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6 . . . . . .316 . . . . .So.

TE 85 Ryan Thompson . . . . . . . . . .6-4 . . . . . .259 . . . . .Jr.

80 Ryan Purvis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4 . . . . . .254 . . . . .So.

WR 26 Tony Gonzalez . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10 . . . . .202 . . . . .Sr.

2 Brandon Robinson . . . . . . . . .5-10 . . . . .195 . . . . .So.

QB 12 Matt Ryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5 . . . . . .218 . . . . .Jr.

or 10 Chris Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4 . . . . . .232 . . . . .So.

FB 49 Mark Palmer . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2 . . . . . .249 . . . . .Sr.

38 J. Survival Ross . . . . . . . . . . .5-11 . . . . .227 . . . . .Sr.

TB 30 L.V. Whitworth . . . . . . . . . . .5-11 . . . . .216 . . . . .Jr.

32 Andre Callender . . . . . . . . . . .5-11 . . . . .204 . . . . .Jr.

Defense

LE 52 Austin Giles . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3 . . . . . .285 . . . . .R-Fr.

98 Alex Albright . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5 . . . . . .230 . . . . .Fr.

LT 60 Ron Brace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3 . . . . . .335 . . . . .So.

or 97 Brady Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2 . . . . . .285 . . . . .R-Fr.

RT 90 B.J. Raji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1 . . . . . .340 . . . . .Jr.

93 Keith Willis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1 . . . . . .270 . . . . .So.

RE 57 Nick Larkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4 . . . . . .250 . . . . .Jr.

95 Brendan Deska . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5 . . . . . .261 . . . . .R-Fr.

LB 48 Tyronne Pruitt . . . . . . . . . . .5-11 . . . . .220 . . . . .Jr.

7 Kevin Akins . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2 . . . . . .212 . . . . .So.

LB 40 Jolonn Dunbar . . . . . . . . . . .6-0 . . . . . .233 . . . . .Jr.

34 Mike McLaughlin . . . . . . . . . .6-0 . . . . . .250 . . . . .R-Fr.

LB 35 Robert Francois . . . . . . . . . .6-2 . . . . . .240 . . . . .So.

or 16 Brian Toal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-0 . . . . . .232 . . . . .Jr.

SS 19 Paul Anderson . . . . . . . . . . .6-1 . . . . . .210 . . . . .So.

8 Marcellus Bowman . . . . . . . .6-2 . . . . . .206 . . . . .R-Fr.

FS 44 Jamie Silva . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11 . . . . .208 . . . . .Jr.

45 Wes Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-1 . . . . . .205 . . . . .Fr.

CB 27 DeJuan Tribble . . . . . . . . . . .5-9 . . . . . .190 . . . . .Jr.

17 Razzie Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9 . . . . . .174 . . . . .R-Fr.

CB 9 Larry Anam . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11 . . . . .196 . . . . .Sr.