The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1506671
TRACKING THE PACK SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 ■ 23 NUMBERS AND QUOTES Sponsored by Colony Tire & Service www.colonytire.com 2 Home runs by NC State alum Trea Turner off Washington pitcher Cory Abbott in the eighth inning of the Philadelphia Phillies' 12-3 victory over the host Nationals on Aug. 19. According to ESPN Stats & Info, it was only the sixth time since the start of baseball's expansion era in 1961 that a player hit multiple homers off the same pitcher in the same inning, and the first time since Boston's David Ortiz hit two in the first inning against Texas in 2008. " Anywhere I've been, if your quarterback earns trust and confidence in the weight room and in the training aspect, the strength and conditioning world, that means a lot to the team. You're not just playing quarterback, you're leading the team. I do believe Brennan has earned their respect with how hard he works. — Offensive coordinator Robert Anae on the selection of graduate transfer quarterback Brennan Armstrong as a team captain " Throughout his career, Bill Cowher has epitomized what Wolfpack football is all about. He is a true mentor, leader and icon in the coaching profession, and we are so proud to be able to honor him in Carter-Finley Stadium along- side other NC State legends. — Head coach Dave Doeren on the impending enshrinement of BILL COWHER, a former NC State linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, in the Wolfpack's Ring of Honor " Coordinator Tony Gibson gets the benefit of the doubt after fielding back-to-back top-25 defenses, but hitting last year's high notes — holding five opponents to 17 or fewer points and five under 5 yards per play — might be difficult. — Bill Connelly, ESPN college football writer, on NC State's hopes of replicating its defensive success of the past two seasons 43rd NC State's place in CBSSports.com's "Best in College Sports" list for the 2022-23 athletic year. The Pack re- ceived 250.50 points in the rankings, which are simi- lar to the Directors' Cup, except that CBS's formula is focused on the sports that generate broad interest, particularly football and mens' and women's bas- ketball. Tennessee won the competition with 536.75 points, with UCLA (524.50), Alabama (496.50), Texas (482.50) and TCU (472.00) rounding out the top five. 5 Number of schools that have won three or more women's NCAA cross country championships. Coached by Laurie Henes, the Wolfpack has won the past two in a row and will be chasing its third title this fall in the hope of joining Colorado, which has won three champi- onships all time. Only Villanova (nine), Stanford and BYU (five apiece) and Or- egon (four) have won more than three NCAA women's cross country crowns. Only two schools have won more than two consecutive titles — Villanova with six and Stanford with three. 3 Number of NC State football players on the 2023 edition of Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks List" for The Athletic. Graduate linebacker PAYTON WILSON was No. 27 on Feldman's list, which showcases players whose athletic ability sets them apart even on teams full of high-level performers. Also making the list were fourth-year junior defen- sive end David Vann at No. 40 and super senior running back Jordan Houston at No. 54. This is the third consecutive year in which NC State has had more than one player in Feld- man's list of college football's top 100 athletes, and the first year in which it's had more than two. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS