Photo TR: NC State football season opener

[Jonathan]

So being a NC State student and such, I get to go to sports events and such for free, providing that I win the ticket lottery for whatever game of course. I have been to nearly all of the home football games since I started going here (this is my 4th year), and this afternoon was the start of another season.

 

 

Some of the magic of Mr. Wuf (the NCSU mascot) is taken away when his head is sitting on the floor of your living room. One of my roommates gets to be him this year (or rather, is one of 3 or 4 people who rotate off during the games, as it gets hot as hell in the costume).

 

 

Chuck Amato is a goofy clown-ish guy, and sometimes I question his abilities as a head coach, but he has turned Carter-Finley stadium into a pretty badass place. This was addition #1; the Murphy Center, which was completed at the south end of the stadium in 2003.

 

 

This was addition #2, the Vaughn Towers (press box and luxury suites), which was completed on the west side of the stadium in 2005.

 

 

Tailgating is as big of an attraction as the game itself.

 

 

Here is addition #3, a new entrance plaza in the north endzone, and the bowling in of the north endzone. Before there was a stubby little field house, some bleachers for the band to sit in, and grass on each side. Now the stadium is a full bowl.

 

 

Here's the RBC Center next door. I wish that little street wasn't there, so that a big plaza could be built linking the two stadiums.

 

 

They've got these in the new entrance plaza for each player who has had his jersey retired.

 

 

My freshman year at NCSU was Rivers' senior year. Too bad our quarterback is absolutely horrible now (he threw for 36 yards tonight against a I-AA opponent...).

 

 

Inside the gates.

 

 

Pregame activities.

 

 

This is something that was experimented with last year, and I think will now become a permanent fixture. Instead of using the tunnel that goes directly to the field, the team comes out the upper level of the Murphy Center, and walks through the student section to the field.

 

 

New bowl in the north end looks freaking sweet. The stadium felt a lot more closed in and it was a lot louder without the open space at the end.

 

 

Lots of pyrotechnics and fun stuff as the Pack takes the field.

 

 

Another season of football begins.

 

 

It was hilarious how intimidated ASU was at the beginning of the game (they are a I-AA school). Granted, they were the I-AA national champions last year, but this was still a stage they were not quite used to. Their first play of the game was a false start, and then once they did actually get the ball snapped, the center snapped it over the quarterbacks head and through the endzone for a safety, giving NC State a 2-0 lead seconds into the game.

 

 

Wide shot.

 

 

The addition of the new bowl has relocated the band to the south end of the stadium, which is much better, as they are close to the student sections.

 

 

Appalachian State held their own, more than they should have probably. Despite losing a number of defensive starters to the NFL draft (3 in the first round including #1 overall pick Mario Williams), it looks like NC State has another great defensive team. They also have a fantastic running back combination in Andre Brown and Toney Baker. Unfortunately, quarterback Marcus Stone is absolutely INEPT. As I mentioned, he only threw for 36 yards, and every one of those was a short dump off where the receiver did the work. There were literally no downfield passes.

 

 

Here's my roommate roaming around as Mr. Wuf.

 

 

The sun sets on Carter-Finley stadium.

 

 

There's nothing like a football stadium at night.

 

 

The game comes to an end with the Wolfpack emerging victorious.

 

 

A win is a win, but I can't say I'm too comfortable with the team going into this season. The passing game HAS to get better. Either way, it will be a fun year.

[Guest]

Mario Williams number one?

 

Seriously, nice report. You might think that your team played a weak game against a 1-AA opponent, but hey, at least they won. Can't say the same for my Buffaloes (pitiful).

[FlippyTrick09]

Hmm... I have the oddest feeling that UGA is WAY batter than NC State... GO DAWGS!!!!! Haha sorry had to do it... hope ya had fun - Mitchell