http://www.wral.com/sports/story/1967368/


Until the win over East Carolina, the N.C. State offensive line had been a maligned group that didn't protect the quarterback or open holes for the running backs.

And with true freshman left tackle Jake Vermiglio starting his first game, it didn’t look like the Wolfpack line was going to improve.

But against the Pirates, the line held firm and allowed Daniel Evans enough time to pick apart the opposing defense. It was a career day for Evans, who threw 29 completions for 335 yards and three touchdowns.

“They knew what they were doing going in,” said Evans of his blockers. “We had a pretty good scheme as far as our pass protection goes.”

Even with the job the line did against ECU, coach Tom O’Brien admitted the “real test would be this week against Virginia.”

The line faces a Virginia defense that has 24 sacks on the year – 10 of those by All-America candidate Chris Long. The senior defensive end will mostly line up across from Vermiglio in what will surely be the freshman’s toughest test as a collegiate player.

Long’s 50 tackles are second in the ACC for defensive ends. O'Brien describes Long, the son of former NFL great Howie Long, as a player with a relentless motor, and he has 13 tackles for loss to back it up.

Vermiglio - who was not allowed to speak to reporters after Wednesday's practice - must protect his quarterback’s blind side from Long if the Evans wants to enjoy time in the pocket against the Cavaliers. Evans said he has no doubts that the freshman can do the job.

“[Vermiglio] did a great job but I don’t think anyone doubted him either,” Evans said. “That was definitely a bright spot and I’m sure he’ll be a great left tackle here for years to come.”

Although he played well, what wasn’t a bright spot was the way Vermiglio ended his first career start.

Vermiglio was ejected after diving into the back of an opposing player’s legs. The player limped off the field after remaining on the ground for minutes after the hit.

O’Brien said in Monday’s press conference that Vermiglio had “paid the price” for the dirty play.

To date, the offensive line has given up 18 sacks this season – but only one of those came last week.

Senior center Luke Lathan said that the problem earlier in the year was when blockers missed assignments – a problem due to coaching differences.

The game against ECU was preceded by an off-week in which offensive line coach Don Horton and others were able to assess those flaws.

“It’s basically a new offense, new calls, new blocking assignments. There’s a reason why they redshirt offensive lineman. It takes a long time to get the technique down, get the steps down and every coach has a different philosophy,” Lathan said.

“I’ve had to learn three coaches’ offensive philosophies since I’ve been here. It’s difficult, dumping one coach and what he wants to do.”

The line knows it will have to continue its improvement if it wants to fend off Long and the Cavaliers.

“This game is going to tell us a lot about this football team. It’s a great challenge – can you do it two weeks in a row?,” O’Brien said.

10/26/2007 12:04:31 PM

All I can say is that Vermiglio better bring his A game, otherwise, we're going to pull fans from the stands in order to have a qb.

10/26/2007 12:45:09 PM

and someone tell Luke Lathan how to snap the fucking ball. The dude drops turds so low it's no wonder our QB play sucks

10/26/2007 12:55:37 PM

I was almost certain there was a Virginia/NCSU game thread

10/26/2007 4:49:20 PM

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/757850.html

Vermiglio ready for what comes
Pack freshman learns as he goes
Chip Alexander, Staff Writer

RALEIGH - N.C. State's Jake Vermiglio has a chest tattoo that says, "Me Against the World." It's the title of a song by the late Tupac Shakur, but Vermiglio says not to read too much into it.
"It's not like saying it's me against everyone," the offensive tackle said. "But it's like be strong, stay tough. If anyone wants to mess around ... "

Not that Vermiglio is a nasty type on the field, spoiling for a fight. He was ejected from the East Carolina game for a late hit, but called it a "stupid mistake" that would not be repeated.

"It absolutely will never happen again," he said without much more explanation. "It's unacceptable."

The ejection came in Vermiglio's first start. When left tackle Julian Williams sprained a knee in practice before the Oct. 20 game in Greenville, Vermiglio became the Wolfpack's only freshman in the starting lineup.

A freshman, at left tackle, protecting Daniel Evans' blindside. Talk about giving a coach a few heart palpitations.

But offensive coordinator Dana Bible likes what he has seen of the 6-foot-5 315-pound lineman who came to NCSU after a year at Milford Academy, a prep school in New Berlin, N.Y.

Bible smiled when asked how hard was it for a freshman to start on the offensive line, given the demands of learning the system and blocking schemes.

"Hard, hard, hard," he said. "You have to start with something and usually the best thing to start with is you'll compete. If you'll compete, if you'll get in there and mix it up and fight and battle, then you have something to build on. Thus far he is competing."

While quick to say he had a "ton lot of help," Vermiglio handled himself well Saturday in State's 29-24 win over Virginia. At times, he was matched against Chris Long, Cavaliers defensive star who leads the ACC in sacks and had terrorized Maryland's offensive line the game before.

Vermiglio was named the ACC's rookie of the week for his play against Virginia. Awaiting him this week in Miami: Hurricanes defensive end Calais Campbell, a 6-8, 280-pound junior who was All-ACC last season.

"Welcome to the Atlantic Coast Conference," Bible said.

NCSU coach Tom O'Brien said Vermiglio's prep school year helped him mature as player. Vermiglio was lightly recruited as a senior at Stoney Creek High in Rochester Hills, Mich., where he played tight end and tackle.

"You grow up quick here," Milford coach Bill Chaplick said. "We get the away-from-home, mom and girlfriend thing out of the way -- the stuff kids must go through as a college freshman.

"Football-wise, when you leave here you're a seasoned veteran. The competition is tough, and we'll go 110 to 140 plays in scrimmages without stopping."

At Milford, Vermiglio opened holes for running back Graig Cooper, a freshman at Miami who is eighth in the ACC in rushing.

"Coop -- I love him," Vermiglio said. "I can't wait to see him. He's an awesome back."

Chaplick, who played center at Boston College in the 1970s, is just as proud of Vermiglio.

"Great athlete," he said. "He could run with the tight ends and linebackers here at 310 pounds.

"He made himself recruitable. He worked his way into the ACC and now he's getting it done."

And the Pack isn't through recruiting from Milford. State missed on offensive lineman Kenny Plue, who has committed to Purdue, but Chaplick said NCSU was interested in Hugh Strangeland, a 6-6, 316-pound guard, and 6-6 defensive end Mikhail Marinovich.

At State, Vermiglio said senior guard Kalani Heppe has been a football mentor and "like a big brother." He also has bonded with Markus Kuhn, the freshman defensive end from Germany.

As for his tattoo, he said he got it in Raleigh a few months ago, saying Tupac was one of his "favorite artists."

A few lines from the Tupac song: "... no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep your head up and handle it."

That's Vermiglio's plan.

11/2/2007 8:33:28 AM