At Univ. Park, Nov. 10 N.C.State: the revival preacher returns By KEN LLOYD Sports Editor The Technician RALEIGH, N.C. When Lou Holtz, a bespectacled and . relatively unassuming looking young man, arrived on the North Carolina State football scene last year, he came on like a revival preacher. While not guaranteeing a winning season, the coach at Running back Stan Fritts An assortment of wooden boxes least promised an exciting team that would move the football. It can now be safely said that Holtz held good on his promise and also threw in a winning season, something unusual to Wolfpack followers in recent years. After two successive three-win seasons, the Pack came on strong last year under Holtz' dynamic leadership to carve out an 8- The Buckey twins The End Result 109 S. Allen St. Flannel Shirts... .43.95 -$ 4.95 4 6.75 Cheap Thrills 115 5- Friaze,r- The Daily Collegian Fall Sports Preview Monday, September 10.1973- 3-1 ledger, which included a 49-13 trouncing of West Virginia in the Peach Bowl. State's losses came to North Carolina (by one point), Georgia (by six points) and Penn State (by 15 points), the latter ending a five game winning streak by the Wolfpack. Things look bright for the upcoming season since 29 lettermen return, but like all collegiate teams the Wolfpack has some problems to iron out. "We have the potential to be a fine football team," says Holtz. "But whether we realize this potential or not depends on four question mark areas defense, depth, kicking, and pass receiving. "The defense needs work and we must be excellent in that area. The offense of a team can be affected by the weather or by the other team, but the defense is the key to a successful season. We really came along last year and need to this year also." State's defense was hard hit by graduation since only five starters from-an erratic unit return.. There is experience at every position although depth is a problem that could cause Holtz many sleepless nights. The ones to watch on defense are end Brian Krueger and a trio of native Pennsylvanians linebacker Mike Daley from Easton, tackle John Goeller from Pittsburgh, and safety Bob Divens from Trafford. With nine starters returning, including five all-conference players, the Wolfpack should once' again have a good offensive team. Last year State had one of the most .rolific offenses in the nation, setting •34 school records and tying and bettering seven ACC marks. But two of the missing starters were wide receivers, so the pass catching corps is a question mark: "We have to replace Pat Kenney (an All-ACC performer from Crabtree, Pa.) with someone to catch those long passes," says Holtz. Depth will be the strong suit with regards to the rest of the offense. With the exception of the wide receivers, the Pack is two deep with proven performers at every position. In senior Bruce Shaw, sophomore Dave Buckey, and junior transfer John Gargano, State has three able quarterbacks, all of whom are capable of starting. Shaw won all conference honors last season while Buckey was the MVP in the Peach Bowl as a freshman. Holtz calls the Pack's group, of running hacks as good, collectively, as any in the nation. All-/WC selections Willie Burden and Stan Fritts, along with Charley Young and Roland Hooks, give State a potent running game that is capable of gaining ground inside or outside. For the record Penn State tailback John Cappelletti had the second best rushing season in the school's football history with 1,117 yards in 1972. Lydell Mitchell set the record with 1,567 yards in 1971. Former Penn State halfback Lydell Mitchell holds three NCAA individual records touchdowns in a season (29), touchdowns rushing in a season (26) and points in a season( 174). Penn State's football team will play all three of the major military academies ► during the 1973 season. The Nittany Lions also played Air Force. Army and Navy in the 1962 and 1974 . seasons Spearheading the Wolfpack offensive line will be a pair who hail from the Quaker State, guard Bill Yoest from Pittsburg and tackle Rick Druschel from Greensburg, both of whom are bonafide All-America candidates. "If we receive affirmative answers to all four questionable areas we will have a great year; and if two are answered in the affirmative we will have a good year," proclaims Holtz. "But our schedule is such that we cannot afford to be overy optimistic. With Nebraska, Georgia, North Carolina, and Penn State all certain to be ranked in the Top 20 it is surely one of the toughest schedules a State team has had to face. But we welcome the challenge." Kicker Ron Sewell
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