Former NC State quarterback Russell Wilson just finished up what was arguably his best season in the NFL. He finished the season with 4,110 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns (three rushing) and only five interceptions. Yet with this great season by their quarterback, the Seattle Seahawks only managed to win 11 out of their 16 games this season and bowed out of the playoffs in the divisional round.
In a game arguably at least a little bit as important as the main one tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes picked up a crucial two points as they defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in the shootout Sunday afternoon at PNC Arena.
NC State football has gained a reputation for routinely placing the best quarterbacks in the country under center. Roman Gabriel, Eric Kramer, Jamie Barnette and Terry Harvey laid the groundwork for NC State to be referred to as “QBU”, but when Philip Rivers came to Raleigh in 2000, the frequency of great Wolfpack quarterbacks began to increase. Names such as Russell Wilson, Mike Glennon, Jacoby Brissett and Ryan Finley continued the legacy of excellent quarterback play not only in college, but in the NFL. Technician had the privilege of covering all of these Wolfpack greats during their collegiate careers, so let’s turn back the clock and look at what Technician writers had to say about the two most influential quarterbacks to come through NC State.
The Minnesota Vikings were able to get over their one-year playoff drought in 2019 by going 10-6 and impressing all season long, thanks in part to a very successful all-around defense and dynamic players on offense. The biggest question after blowing their chances to make the playoffs in 2019 for the Vikings was the offensive line, a group that failed to help out quarterback Kirk Cousins or running back Dalvin Cook last season.
Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay has been hired as NC State's nickels coach, head coach Dave Doeren announced in a press release Friday. Aughtry-Lindsay replaces Aaron Henry, who is expected to become the defensive backs coach at Vanderbilt. The hire should be the last of many this offseason, with wide receivers coach George McDonald the only remaining assistant from the 2018-19 season.
On Jan. 12, the Seattle Seahawks, led by Russell Wilson, traveled to Green Bay, Wisconsin to take on the Packers at Lambeau Field. Going into the game, the Packers were huge favorites, as they finished 13-3 in the regular season and secured a first-round bye in the playoffs.
For the first time in his 16-year career, former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers is hitting the free-agent market. The 38-year-old recently finished his contract and has the chance to write his own ending to his Hall of Fame-worthy career. Rivers is coming off one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, throwing 20 interceptions, and will be looking to bounce back to his 2018 form. Rivers told Daniel Popper of the Athletic, “Retirement is not really an option.” The Chargers are in a rebuilding stage and may decide to move on from Rivers. They have the sixth-overall pick and may take a chance on Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama or Justin Herbert of Oregon.
Bill Cowher has been announced as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2020. Cowher played linebacker for NC State from 1975-1978 before spending 6 years in the NFL. Cowher is the first former Wolfpack player to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Torry Holt also up for consideration this year.
