TECHNICIAN A U GU S T 26, 2021
RED
VOL . 102 | NO. 3
2021 NC State football See Page 10
Contents
2 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
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IN THIS ISSUE: page
03
University Housing back at full capacity for fall semester
WHAT YOU MISSED:
06
NC State’s lack of social distancing is worrisome
08
12
SOURCE: TECHNICIAN
Stinging, ‘flying’ snails take over NC coast, beach-goers urged to stay out of water
SOURCE: THE NEWS & OBSERVER
Lorde sheds light on a slower lifestyle in ‘Solar Power’
On Monday, Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, PfizerBioNTech. The approval is expected to cause vaccine requirements in educational institutions, corporations, and hospitals. The vaccination’s approval comes amid a spike in the highly infectious delta variant cases.
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES
Strenuous football schedule to bring best out of Wolfpack football
MYSTERY SERVICE SATURDAY Aug. 28 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. MEET OUTSIDE THE TALLEY TECH TOWER Free, registration required Looking for a fun social and volunteer opportunity? Register for Mystery Service Saturday! Students will head to an unknown local service organization to participate in a volunteer project and a post-project social activity. Register by Aug. 27 at service.dasa.ncsu.edu to partake in the fun!
THE QUADRIVIUM PROJECT LIVE CONCERT Aug. 26 and 28, 8:00 p.m. STEWART THEATRE $8 for students, $15 for all others Fans of Genesis, Pink Floyd and live music can enjoy all three at The Quadrivium Project’s Thursday and Saturday night shows. NC State’s local faculty rock band will be performing top hits from legendary rock bands Genesis and Pink Floyd.
FRIDAY FILMS: BLACK PANTHER
FDA approves Pfizer vaccine
ARTS & CULTURE
page
Emergency Rescue Grants available for all students
“Flying” snails, also known as sea butterflies, a type of marine gastropod with a splinter-like barb, have taken over the waters of Emerald Isle beach. Though not toxic, the sea snail can stick into a person’s skin much like a splinter, causing irritation. Authorities continue to monitor the snail levels, thought to have increased due to recent tropical storms which brought the populations to the coast from the Caribbean.
OPINION
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Events to keep an eye on for this week
Students can now apply for grants to help with expenses that have been impacted or caused by COVID-19. This is the third round of federal grants that the University has distributed since the pandemic, but the first series of grants that international students are eligible for. Students can apply through MyPack Portal and can receive up to $750 per term.
NEWS
page
A quick look at the headlines in and outside of NC State
THE RADAR
The Taliban prevents Afghan citizens from boarding evacuation flights in Kabul Following the Taliban’s government takeover in Afghanistan, the United States is still on course to pull all troops out of the country by Aug. 31. The Taliban said it will stop Afghan citizens from attempting to flee the country through the airport and warned that an extension of the Aug. 31 deadline will not be allowed.
SOURCE: USA TODAY
Aug. 27, 7:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. showings WITHERSPOON STUDENT CENTER CINEMA Free Friday Films are officially back at Witherspoon! This week, the Wellness, Outreach, Leisure and Films (W.O.L.F.) Committee will be showing Black Panther, a Marvel must-see. Students will be able to attend either a 7:00 p.m. or 10:15 p.m. showing.
FEMINIST FRIDAY INFORMATION SESSION: EXPLORING FEMINISM THROUGH VISIBILITY Aug. 27, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. WOMEN’S CENTER LOUNGE Free The Women’s Center will be hosting a Feminist Friday information session highlighting feminism and womanism in a safe space for all. Register at go.ncsu.edu/feministfriday.
SPORTS COVER BY ANN SALMAN
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Technician (USPS 455-050) is the largest student newspaper of NC State University and is published every Thursday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on the Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC, Copyright 2011 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
University Housing back at full capacity for fall semester Sam Overton Culture Editor
With the introduction of NC State’s largest freshman class ever, NC State University Housing has re-implemented full-capacity student housing, C-Stores, in-person programs and more. Although it’ll take a couple of semesters to see how the 2020-21 school year affected move-in trends, one significant change has already been made: the overall number of RAs and housing staff has lowered. “We did an analysis, and we looked at the national norms for ratios of staff to residents,” said Donna McGalliard, the executive director of University Housing. “And so, we did reduce the number of RAs on campus overall. But that was a result of that strategic initiative, it was not as a result of the pandemic or anything like that.” Though housing staff is reduced, student occupancy has grown tremendously compared to last year. “The only thing that changed from the first year class perspective is that this set is huge, just a really big class,” McGalliard said. “There’s over 5,000 right now. It’s a lot of first year students, and we’re really excited about that.” The stunningly low occupancy rate in the spring — less than 5,000 students on campus — made it hard to predict any fall semester trends, even in the wake of a return to in-person classes. “It’s just hard to know what people are feeling at this point in the pandemic,” McGalliard said. “We’re not totally out of it, but I think we’re sailing into a period where
we’re starting to recognize that it may just be with us.” Although first-year students didn’t have the opportunity to preference their building choices, an option the class of 2024 was also denied, they were allowed to choose their roommate under the tentative guarantee that student housing would be operating at full capacity. “What we had heard from specific students was, ‘I’d rather live with the person that I know than live in a specific location,’” McGalliard said. “But what was happening was they were preferencing buildings, and then their roommate wouldn’t have preferenced the same one all the time.” Although this has been the process for a few years, some incoming first-years were surprised by the lack of options when it comes to choosing a dorm. Heather Lee, a first-year studying political science, said she lucked out by ending up at Bragaw Hall. “I was kind of surprised that they weren’t doing it this year,” Lee said. “I’ve been told by upperclassmen, you can choose and you want to choose Bragaw because that’s one of the nicer ones. I was kind of surprised that I ended up lucking out at Bragaw.” Bragaw Hall, newly reopened after a f looding incident at the beginning of 2021, is home to the Eco Village. Living and Learning Village applications were the only way students could select the dorms they want to live in — so long as the Living and Learning Village pertains to their interests and hobbies. This year, the competition was stiff, especially for Bragaw. “I applied to Eco [Village] — it was more competitive than I thought,” Lee said. “My
NATALIE FOLSOM/TECHNICIAN
Brenna Russak, a freshman in the exploratory studies program, rolls her dorm luggage to Owen Residence Hall during move in day Aug. 12. NC State Move-In was from Aug. 12-15.
short paragraph did not put me through, but I ended up in Bragaw anyways.” Kenza Nsanzimana, a first-year student studying psychology, lives with Lee in Bragaw and hopes the University won’t repeat fall 2020’s exodus. “I think the worst-case scenario is if we have to go back home,” Nsanzimana said. “I’d rather just — I don’t mind doing [classes] in dorms.” In spite of the fact that much of University Housing has reopened to students, some disease mitigation strategies have remained as the delta variant continues to
sweep the nation, like surveillance testing, virtual programming and hand-sanitizing stations. Despite the rush of students to campus, coronavirus-era limitations and suite-style living spaces have made it difficult for some students, including Lee and Nsanzimana, to safely socialize with fellow first-years. “In terms of socializing and other things, I get along with my other suitemates, they’re all really cool,” Nsanzimana said. “But personally, we went to Owen [Hall] and I thought that was way more social, that they’re all on the same floor.”
News
4 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
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All students eligible to apply for Emergency Rescue Grants
GRAPHIC BY MIKHAIL VASQUEZ/TECHNICIAN
Avery Davis News Editor
All NC State students are now eligible to apply for Emergency Rescue Grants, the third round of the University’s COVID-19 relief grants. Students can receive up to $750 per term and apply for financial relief for terms that have already ended. Krista Ringler, the associate vice provost and director of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, said the University has $25 million dollars worth of grants to distribute to students. The funds are to be allocated to students to put towards expenses like tuition, food, textbooks, fees, housing or emergency costs due to COVID-19. The Emergency Rescue Grant funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed by Congress in March 2021. The act includes funding for higher education institutions and specifically outlines provisions for students. The Emergency Rescue Grants are unique from the last two rounds COVID-19 relief grants supplied by the University because all NC State students, including international students, are eligible. Due to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, passed by Congress in
1996, non-citizen students have been unable to apply for the last two rounds of grants. “It’s a rule that says individuals who are international students cannot be dependent on the public welfare of the taxpayer,” Ringler said. “It’s kind of an indirect way of saying that taxpayers cannot be the support system for international students to attend [an] American university. In the first two iterations, the guidance that we were given was that if funding were provided to international students, it would be in violation of that law, which is a much older law that has nothing to do with these specific pieces of legislation.” Ringler said the University has complied with and adapted to the specified guidelines passed down to them from the U.S. Department of Education. “In this third round of funding, the federal government explicitly communicated that they no longer believed that prior legislation applied, and so they expressly said we could provide the funds to everyone,” Ringler said. “Each of those were basically decisions made based on direct guidance from the federal government at that point in time. So, there has been changes in their guidance over the three pots of funding they’ve provided.”
The application for the Emergency Rescue Grants is available through students’ MyPack Portal under the Financial Aid title. Students who are eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should do so as part of their application if they have not already. For students unable to complete the FAFSA, applications are still valid without it. According to Ringler, both the FAFSA and the information provided in the Emergency Rescue Grant application will be considered when determining funds allocated to students. “For students who cannot do a FAFSA, which would be international students, if they talk about job loss either for themselves here or job loss for their families where they cannot provide support to them, those are examples of some of the things we might look at to help us understand financial need,” Ringler said. “So, we do have to take a little bit of a different lens and really focus on what they’re telling us their need is. We’re looking to see: has there been an impact to their financial circumstance as far as income?” Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as funds are limited. While most students in need should be eligible to receive
funds from the grants, other financial relief can be found through the Pack Essentials Student Emergency Fund. “It would be rare for a student not to qualify for the rescue grant funding, but perhaps their need is completely outside the bounds of what is allowed through the legislation,” Ringler said. “In that circumstance we wanted to be sure students knew there was still another place that you could go if you need support. That would be what we would recommend: to apply for support through Pack Essentials.” Pack Essentials is a division of DASA that provides support for students dealing with any financial crisis, not just specific to COVID-19. “The funding for that is all from donor support,” Ringler said, “So, these are going to be donors who have given to NC State for that purpose. Most of it comes from individuals saying, ‘I want to help needy students,’ and they give a financial donation that goes into this category of funding, and then NC State can give that back out to students.” More information about the Emergency Rescue Grants and the application process can be found on the Student Services website.
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TECHNICIAN 5 THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
Opinion
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NC State’s lack of social distancing is worrisome It’s officially been more than a week of in-person classes, and I unfortunately am already over it. Don’t get me wrong, sitting in a classroom is definitely something that has been Shilpa helping me battle the epiGiri Opinion Editor demic of procrastination that gripped college students over quarantine, but no matter how much I tell myself in-person classes are safe, they really aren’t. Most of the classes I take are in large lecture halls like Dabney 222. These classes are full to the brim every single day with students shoulder to shoulder, many of them not even following the mask mandate properly. Fellow Technician columnist Olivia Hille recently wrote a column about students in her class blatantly disregarding the mask mandate, and I can safely say that she is not the only student with classmates like that. In addition to inadequate preventative measures, COVID-19 policies in class don’t do much to reassure and encourage students to follow COVID-19 guidelines. All my syl-
labi contain statements like, “If you test positive for COVID-19, or are told by a healthcare provider that you are presumed positive for the virus, you should not attend any hybrid or face-to-face (F2F) classes and work with your instructor on any adjustments necessary,” or “If you feel unwell, even if you have not been knowingly exposed to COVID-19, please do not come to a F2F class or activity,” but no policy talks about encouraging students to social distance, get vaccinated or potential repercussions of not wearing a mask while in large spaces like a 200-person lecture hall. These class policies do a great job of telling students what to do and what not to do in case they get the disease, but honestly speaking, I do not want to get the disease in the first place! Instead of telling students to stay home if they get sick, let’s create an environment where students do not get sick and don’t have to fall behind on coursework because some of us acted like the pandemic is over. Firstly, all classes should be offered in some kind of hybrid format. My ST 311 class is a great example of that, where all the lectures are posted online and students meet in small
groups once a week for a problem solving and review session, with that being offered virtually in the form of recorded videos. This is great because it avoids the large congregation of students in a closed space and gives students a chance to safely interact with some of their peers and instructors. This allows students to take the course from the safety of their homes if they choose to do so. Secondly, social distancing needs to be a thing again. With the number of large lecture halls at NC State, we can definitely afford to put in an empty seat in between students and maintain a gap of 6 feet in between them. Stricter social distancing should not just be limited to classrooms, but should also be enforced in other crowded areas as well like the dining locations, libraries, buses, etc. Lastly, it’s important to remember that this pandemic is not over with Wake County having 104,748 cases and only 49% of the North Carolina population being fully vaccinated. Even our very own Protect the Pack website tries to skew results and provide us with false hope by saying, “In a recent survey from the university, more than 90 percent of respondents indicated they were fully vaccinated,”
Mask Break Up
Pearl Knight, a third-year studying art and design
which is clearly misleading as these results came from an optional survey -- sampling bias at its finest. Nowhere on the same website do they tell us who they surveyed or the real percentage of vaccinated individuals at NC State as a whole, but I guarantee you it’s nowhere near the wonderful sounding number of 90% that the University is pretending we’re at. According to Protect the Pack, 27,252 individuals affiliated with NC State have uploaded vaccine records to the HealthyPack portal or have been fully vaccinated on campus as of Aug. 24, 2021. NC State’s Institutional Strategy and Analysis website also quotes that NC State has more than 36,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members. Running some quick numbers gives us a much more accurate percentage of vaccinated Wolfpack members at 60.56%. Long story short, NC State you gotta do better. It’s extremely possible to give students the in-person experience they’ve been longing for, but that doesn’t mean all the safety measures we learned to adopt over the past one and a half years can be thrown out the window in a heartbeat.
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Opinion TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
Not wearing your mask in class? Gross.
As the second week of classes starts, there’s a lot to unpack about our community. We are in person, but we have only seen half the faces of our professors — and the eyes and Olivia some noses of our peers. Hille Correspondent In fact, it seems like after a year and a half of wearing masks, there is still some miscommunication on how to properly wear your mask. In about every class, I have encountered individuals who wear their mask below their nose or, in fact, put their mask on their chin or simply take their mask off when they come into the room. We are all gaining an education at the same institution, taking similar courses and around the same age as each other. But some in our community are making objectively unintelligent and medically hazardous decisions. In many cases, not wearing a mask seems like a defiant statement on an individual’s part. Is the thought process that some of us are above the rules of safety and/or that many may know better than the majority of our world’s scientists?
It is extremely disheartening how politicized masks have become. It is even more unfortunate that several conservative lawmakers and celebrities have made it so and in turn are risking the lives of those in our community. The situation involving COVID-19 continues to worsen and one of the ways to minimize damage, wearing a mask, seems to become more dramatized and complicated as time wears on. NC State has made it clear there is a mask mandate. It has also made it abundantly clear that if you are not vaccinated, then you will be tested once a week until circumstances change. However, with a strong presence of rules in place, some are not abiding mask rules and are thus putting the burden on those in their classes. Will it be a professor or a student that holds that burden in the classroom? The options are to be confrontational and hold individuals accountable for wearing a mask correctly, or non-confrontational and letting one person endanger the lives of those around them. Many people our age who wear masks are not just worried about ourselves, but our family members and others we come
in contact with. In fact, if the exponentially rising death toll and ICU count along with the proven long-term effects of COVID-19 are not enough to support the necessary actions that are in place, it is extremely obvious that many in our community are more worried about personal inconvenience rather than the general health. It is quite frustrating, as someone who left in-person courses as a sophomore and is now rejoining the campus community as a senior, to see the possibility of my education being diminished once again by the actions of my peers. Many of us have worn masks, stayed inside and quarantined, and gotten vaccinated at the earliest convenience. To say the least, it is infuriating that we are again at the mercy of those who have not put in the effort to protect our community and are obviously unable to make simple, logical and empathetic decisions to better the whole community. Another thought that runs through my mind when I see someone who is indoors and not wearing their mask properly is that they are a health hazard. If they are haphazardly wearing their mask in an area
that has been explicitly deemed a masked zone, they are most likely not taking precautions outside these zones to make sure they are not sick or avoiding the possibility of them being infected. Thus, those who are showing they cannot wear their mask may be a greater danger to the rest of the community, not simply for not wearing their mask, but showing they don’t really care about this situation we are all in. As a student, I urge those in the administration and professors alike to take it upon themselves to bear the burden and make sure masks are properly worn. This topic creates confrontation and has the potential to escalate political debates on campus. It is, however, increasingly necessary to re-enforce the important stance the University has taken in protecting the NC State community. It should not be the University’s intention to place the burden on the student to regulate their peers’ mask usage. However, if the lack of conformity to mandates on campus are not controlled by the university on a larger scale, it will lean on professors and students to protect themselves rather than focusing on teaching and learning.
Instructors should be working hard to promote vaccination and mask wearing THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SHOWN THEY WON’T PROTECT US, SO WE HAVE TO PROTECT OURSELVES NCSU Graduate Workers Union Guest Columnist
A year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic and NC State is still balking at protecting the health of students, graduate workers, staff and other frontline workers. With high community spread of COVID-19 and our vaccination rate well below herd immunity, campus workers and all other members of the campus community are at risk. While vaccinated individuals are more protected than unvaccinated, we are still at risk, especially from the more infectious delta strain of COVID-19. The last month was marked by a series of emails amending previously announced precautions, just like last summer. One email informed us that instructors could not require more protective rules than the university, even in our own office hours. Another stated masks would be required inside for the first three weeks, but the requirement may be dropped afterwards. NC State has recanted some of that messaging (everyone is required to wear a mask inside
until the University says otherwise), but after the last 18 months of the University administration prioritizing profits over people, we are skeptical about its commitment to the health and well-being of the campus community. In response, we, the members of the NC State Graduate Workers Union, ask instructors to sign our pledge to commit to (1) urging students get vaccinated ASAP, and (2) requiring masks in classrooms and office hours for the entire fall semester, regardless of changes in the administration’s opinions on when and where masks are necessary. The administration has repeatedly shown its interests are not aligned with our safety, so we must be prepared to take our and our families’ safety into our own hands. With a disease as infectious and dangerous as COVID-19, vaccination is a public health concern. The COVID-19 vaccines are well-studied, safe and effective. Scientists and medical experts have studied the possible effects from these vaccines and determined they carry minimal risks and save lives (and
quality of life) by reducing COVID-19 transmission. In the meantime, both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should wear a mask when in large groups or inside campus buildings (aside from one’s dorm room or office). Scientists have shown face masks reduce transmission and are most effective when worn by infectious individuals. Because someone may be presymptomatic but contagious, it is important we all mask to reduce the spread and the University provide free masks for all members of the campus community. Before NC State surreptitiously removed the percentage of vaccinated statistics from its COVID-19 tracking page last week, data indicated campus vaccination rates were around 50%, well below the previously-thought herd immunity threshold (70-80%). COVID-19 cases are increasing in NC and across the country, with the delta variant now the predominant strain of the virus. The delta variant is approximately 60% more contagious, and the highly infectious lambda variant is growing in prominence, with greater
resistance to antibodies, further increasing the risk to all on campus. With vaccines so readily available, the administration should make a greater effort to protect our health by requiring vaccinations to come on campus, and, until we reach adequate levels of vaccination to end the spread of COVID-19 on campus, require masks in all indoor spaces on campus except in private spaces. At least 643 colleges and universities in America have mandated vaccinations, and NC State enacted mask mandates last year. While vaccinated individuals appear protected from severe disease, many of us have health conditions which put us at greater risk if infected with COVID-19 even if vaccinated, and many of us have household members who are particularly vulnerable due to their immune status or age. We and our families should not suffer because the administration lacks the gumption to protect us. #SafeJobsSaveLives - NCSU Grad Workers Union, UE150
Culture
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Lorde sheds light on a slower lifestyle in ‘Solar Power’ Sam Overton Culture Editor
Time and nature are healing, and Lorde’s heavily-anticipated third studio album proves just that. Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, better known under her aristocratic stage name, officially burst back onto the music scene after over four years of radio silence. For months, fans only had sporadic email updates and a book documenting her 2019 Antarctic expedition to look forward to. Until now. Lyrically, Lorde’s work is as good as it’s ever been. One-line zingers and long, prose-like realizations alike define an album that proves itself intensely relatable once again. Although the release of Solar Power has admittedly split critics, warranting lower average reviews than “Pure Heroine” or “Melodrama,” the lyrical revelations about nature, beauty and power are too stunning to dismiss. That being said, the melodies are certainly repetitive and monotonous at times. Jack Antonoff’s dreamy, echoing instrumentals make their immediate appearance in the first track, “The Path.” Lorde acknowledges her long disappearances between albums and asks her fans to not think of her as a god-like figure, an interesting callback to her first radio hit, “Royals.” From there, it’s a slow jog into the track that started it all — “Solar Power.” Although it’s drawn comparisons to a Claritin commercial, among other things, “Solar Power” is undeniably a summer anthem. Hazy backup vocals from indie queens such as Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo pull the whole track together, and the vibrant colors embedded within the song — peach, acid green, aquamarine — only contribute to the lively spirit of the lead single. “California” slows things down a bit, drawing upon more of Lorde’s experiences in the harsh limelight at a mere 16 years old. The urge to leave California is nothing new, as the pandemic has prompted long-time residents to move away from the Golden State. However, Lorde lays it out for us in plain, repetitive language: “Goodbye to all the bottles, all the
models / Bye to the kids in the lines for the new Supreme / Don’t want that California love.” The conclusion of “California” brings light electric guitar melodies that lead perfectly into her second single, “Stoned at the Nail Salon.” Although the track is a little too reminiscent of “Chemtrails Over the Country Club,” another Jack Antonoff-produced record performed by Lana Del Rey, this contemplative number is a lovely, low-key ballad. Lorde reminds us that “it’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads.” Plenty of artists have attempted — successfully or unsuccessfully — to produce painfully self-aware tracks about the inevitable doom that climate change brings: Greta Thunburg’s essay for The 1975’s “Notes on a Conditional Form,” for example. Although these songs often miss the mark, landing in the realm of performative activism, Lorde took a stab at it in “Fallen Fruit,” a simple, angelic song about the dismal state of our environment. It makes more sense for Lorde, a born-and-bred Kiwi, but the song falls a little flat as the only environmentally-minded track of the album. Lorde’s 2013 sleeper hit “Ribs” walked so “Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All)” could run. A clear throwback to her earlier albums, this track is incredibly relatable and heartbreaking, especially to pandemic-era college students. Seemingly a message to her 15-year-old self, the spoken outro from Swedish pop artist Robyn hit hard at the end of another angelic song. The lines “Your emotional baggage can be picked up at carousel number two / Please be careful so it doesn’t fall onto someone you love” were incredibly heartbreaking in the context of such a nostalgic song. Nearly halfway through the album, it’s clear that the sound is a little repetitive. The soft guitars and breathy melodies have run their course up until this point, and therein lies the problem that most critics — and even some superfans — have with “Solar Power.” However, let’s remind ourselves that Lorde took this album as an opportunity to slow down
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and unplug. Sure, it isn’t as nostalgic as “Pure Heroine” or as electric as “Melodrama,” but there’s something to be said about the lasting power of her songwriting, which is just as apparent on this album as her previous two. No track proves this better than “The Man with the Axe,” a slow love song you can’t help but imagine waltzing along to. The lyrics are stuffed to the brim with images of a longlasting love, a little bittersweet but also hopeful in the face of a pandemic that has forced loved ones together in ways unimaginable. “Dominoes,” on the other hand, is a sharp near-diss track about a flighty man, running through phases of life — and women — like there’s no tomorrow. “Big Star” brings the listener right back down to earth with an absolutely heartbreaking ballad about Lorde’s dog, Pearl, who unfortunately passed away in late 2019. Written before the dog’s death, the song runs every pet owner through an emotion so real it nearly feels tangible — transformative, overtaking
love for our furry companions. The dreamy, dystopian interlude “Leader of a New Regime” leads straight into “Mood Ring,” Lorde’s third single that centers around spirituality. Manifestation, crystals and the like are heavily satirized in this track — although plenty of women have turned to astrology and spirituality in our current era of confusion and disarray thanks to the pandemic, Lorde acknowledges her “general realisation that many wellness practises adopted by white women have rough consequences for indigenous peoples.” On “Oceanic Feeling,” the album’s final track, Lorde contemplates her life and the people she loves in a song that, musically, finishes the album just as it began. Even the most hardcore fans can’t deny that the floaty, light electric guitar melodies and subdued background vocals get a little tiring after 12 tracks. But, as Lorde reminds us in “Oceanic Feeling,” she’s “got this power” — the power to slow down and turn away from the eclectic pop era that defined her music for so long.
Local cafe, art gallery Lucky Tree welcomes customers in an art-filled atmosphere Sam Overton Culture Editor
Lucky Tree, a local cafe that combines delicious baked goods and coffee with the sale of locally-made art and gifts, has graced Hillsborough Street for about a decade. Located about a 15-minute walk away from Wolf Village and right across the street from Meredith College, many students are familiar with the popular cof-
feehouse. Known for its specialty lattes and “Free the Mic,” a bimonthly open mic night, Lucky Tree’s creation stemmed from the childhood dream of the owners of the cafe, Ashley Faries and her twin sister Amanda. “The short end of it is we actually started with the retail version, with doing local art about 10 years ago,” said Ashley Faries. “And then, for a couple years, we were able to expand into offering baked goods and
coffee. That was seeing the full picture kind of come together.” A wide range of local artists and creators sell their art at Lucky Tree. According to Faries, working with local craftspeople in the area and putting faces to artwork is a rewarding experience. While Faries is spearheading the day-t0day operations of Lucky Tree, her sister has been putting her efforts into a new sustainability project, one that involves growing
some of the teas, spices and other resources that the cafe uses on a regular basis. “We don’t have big machinery or a huge budget, but we had some access to property and started putting seeds in the ground, quite literally,” Faries said. “We’d love to be able to grow, hopefully, exclusively by next year.” Although choosing the Hillsborough Street storefront came more as a neat coincidence rather than a conscious decision,
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Faries expressed her love for Lucky Tree’s location within the community. “The space kind of found us, and then we loved it,” Faries said. “And then, honestly, it’s just been furthering whatever expectations we had. It’s just been that much better. Getting to know the neighborhood — it’s not just college students.” Like many other small, local businesses, the pandemic certainly threw a wrench in Lucky Tree’s plans. “We don’t have this huge financial backing, and we just found our business in a space where it felt within its walls, it felt like it was sustainable,” Faries said. “It felt like we’re making it, we’re doing it, and then to have that kind of hit happen — it takes the wind out of you.” Luckily, the coffee shop seems to have bounced back handedly with the return of “Free the Mic,” a bimonthly open mic event that occurs on the second and fourth Mondays of every month. Local musicians and artists are encouraged to sign up to connect, collaborate and ultimately perform for the community. “A lot of times, people will stick around and collaborate together,” Faries said. “It’s a pretty magical experience, we love it. We still get a high off of it, and we do it twice a month.” Some of the most popular menu items at Lucky Tree include its specialty lattes, such as the vanilla maple latte and the hippie latte. The breakfast biscuit bites are also a treat for those craving a more savory snack.
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Lucky Tree’s pottery selection in 2018. Opened in 2015, Lucky Tree supports over 50 local artists and sources their coffee from roasters in Durham, NC and milk from NC State’s Howling Cow. Their menu is completely wheat free and many items are vegan friendly.
Faries’ favorites include the honeysuckle latte, a sweet matcha latte with oat milk, and the tomato basil bites. As local businesses across the country start to return operations to normal, Lucky
Tree is no exception. All are encouraged to visit to enjoy a coffee, take in some local art and enjoy live music on “Free the Mic” nights. “In fact, we were able to have live music
… on a Saturday in the middle of the day, which is awesome, something we did preCOVID,” Faries said. “It kind of felt a little bit like we were getting back to a really fun space.”
The Quadrivium Project brings live performances back Japheth Vazquez Nieves Correspondent
Live music finally makes its return to campus this weekend; The Quadrivium Project, performing on Aug. 26 and 28 at Stewart Theatre, is a local tribute rock band composed of five talented faculty members from NC State. At the dress rehearsal on Tuesday night, Rich Holly, executive director for the arts, offered some insight into the beginnings of the band. Holly plays some percussion and drums along with providing vocals for the group. “I had an interest in performing live music,” Holly said. “So I had met with every single employee to see if anyone was interested. I then spoke to Gary Beckman. We talked about it for about an hour and then decided that we needed to make a faculty band.” Beckman, director of entrepreneurial studies in the arts, performs as the lead guitarist for The Quadrivium Project. Kate AnnettHitchcock, an associate professor of fashion, is the lead vocalist. Tom Koch, the associate head of the department of music, mesmerizes all with his keyboard. Tommy Holden, a professor in the department of health and exercise studies, rounds out the crew and plays bass guitar, keyboard and even supporting vocals. Although all of the band members have full-time jobs outside of The Quadrivium Project, they still find time to practice and
perform the music they grew up listening to. Koch in particular said he didn’t find it difficult to balance his work and his passion. “I teach, and then I demonstrate what I teach,” Koch said. “But, keep in mind that I am not full time in the band, but rather, I accompany the band as a part-time [job]. Thus, it really isn’t too difficult for me to balance both teaching and being in the band.” Once all of the band members gathered in Stewart Theatre, it wasn’t long before the sounds of guitar riffs and instrument tuning bounced off the walls of the theater. Holly, a multi-instrumentalist who began learning to play the drums at six years old, said playing unconventional tracks, such as “Watcher of the Skies” by Early Genesis, is one of his favorite parts about playing in The Quadrivium Project. “It is not in 4-4 time,” Holly said. “Rather, it’s in 6-4 time with syncopated rhythms. It’s something out of the ordinary, and it’s fun to perform.” The Quadrivium Project’s performance is equally as psychedelic as the props they utilize. A giant, colorful pig descends into the performance, referencing Pink Floyd and its usage of balloon pigs in various live concerts. The Quadrivium Project’s live sets are anything but typical; Koch recalled an incident that occurred at one rowdy live show. “At one of our shows we were playing, the music was so loud that the stage started to vibrate and shake,” Koch said. “It sent one
CONTRIBUTED BY RICH HOLLY
of our guitars that was teetering on the edge of the stage tumbling down onto the floor, but luckily no one was hurt, and the guitar was fine.” At the rehearsal, each band member was preoccupied with ensuring that everything was set up to the best of their ability in order to play to the best of their ability. There’s no denying that each member of The Quadrivium Project possesses a passion and respect for the music that it seeks to cover. When Koch was asked if he’d rather teach full time
or tour full time, he answered frankly. “Whichever pays the bills, I suppose,” Koch said. “But I personally wouldn’t want to give up one or the other. It’d be wonderful to go touring for a year, but ultimately, I would love to return to teaching.” For more information about the band, visit The Quadrivium Project’s Arts NC State page. Tickets are $8 for students and $15 for everyone else.
Sports 10 TECHNICIAN In-depth on depth: Pack football roster breakdown THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
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Jaylan Harrington Editor-in-Chief
As we head into the 2021 season, let’s take a look at NC State’s depth across the entirety of the roster. Starters, reserves, names to know for the future of NC State football — it’s all here in your guide to the 2021 edition of NC State football roster. Quarterback Redshirt sophomore quarterback Devin Leary leads the way for NC State. Coming off a short but successful 2020 campaign stunted by injury, the New Jersey gunslinger looks to put it all together as he heads into a second year with the same offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the first time. QB guru Tim Beck worked wonders with Leary and Bailey Hockman despite a shortened offseason in 2020, and now he and Leary are starting to speak the same language as Beck implements his full system. “We’ve been able to expand our offensive communication, we’ve been able to reach out to different personnels and experience different guys in different spots,” Leary said. “Being able to have coach Beck here for a whole fall camp now and all the spring [after] last year just allows us to gravitate even more closer to him, understand him more than he understands us, a lot more.” With the starting role as quarterback for NC State comes outside expectations, one of which being that Leary is seen as the figurehead of the team. Though he wasn’t ready as an underclassman, Leary now embraces that added responsibility. “For myself really, it’s just being able to lead the guys and be the best possible servant leader that I can to our team,” Leary said at the ACC Kickoff. “Because they’re looking at me this year to be the leader of the team, to be the guy that leads them each week — game in and game out. So if I can consistently fulfill that role, that’s my ultimate goal.” Freshmen quarterbacks Ben Finley and Aaron McLaughlin provide depth for the Wolfpack, though Finley is much more game ready. The second-year frosh had what should’ve been a two TD performance against UNC-Chapel Hill last year and has looked impressive in the glimpses the media has gotten of him. Running back NC State has a bona fide running back stable, though maybe not on the level of a Georgia or Alabama. Still, between sophomore back Zonovan Knight and junior Ricky Person, Jr., the offense returns over 1,400 rushing yards and 14 TDs. Knight has NFL potential with a great 2021 and Person can get back into that conversation if he can. What about sophomore Jordan Houston? It appears the scatback’s making the move to slot receiver in order to see the field. A
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Redshirt freshman quarterback Devin Leary hands the ball off to redshirt freshman running back Trent Pennix versus Wake Forest on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at BB&T field. Leary had 17 completions in 45 attempts. The Wolfpack lost 44-10.
lack of snaps can’t explain him jumping into the deepest position group on the team, but keep in mind that the one death knell for a player’s college career is being jumped by a younger player. And Beck’s brought up freshman back Demie Sumo as a young player making an impression on the coaching staff. “That guy, he’s fast; he’s still got some learning he’s got to do, but he’s just talented,” Person told Inside Pack Sports. “He’s gifted. That’s how I see him. He’s starting to pick up on the system. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, and he’ll put his nose in the fire when it’s time for him to block. He’s an all-around good player.” Wide receiver To call the situation NC State has at wide receiver a logjam is an understatement. The group returns eight players with game experience, led by senior Emeka Emezie, redshirt junior Thayer Thomas and redshirt sophomore Devin Carter. That trio combined for 1,744 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, and behind them waits a slew of young players eager to see the field. Freshman Porter Rooks is a key reserve for the group, leading last year’s freshmen in yards and games played while freshmen Anthony Smith and Chris Scott Jr. put their speed on display in the minimal action they saw. With a true offseason to grow, Smith and Scott should grow into legitimate deep ball threats — and the only ones on the team if graduate C.J. Riley isn’t the same
after his injuries. Behind those with game experience are sit freshmen Julian Gray, Jalen Coit and Micah Crowell. Gray received high praise from Beck this offseason, while Coit has taken strides forward according to Thayer Thomas and Crowell was the top player in NC State’s class of 2021. In any other year, Crowell would likely challenge to see the field. Tight end With Dylan Autenrieth and Cary Angeline gone, things are uncertain at tight end, but three players should make an impact: redshirt senior Dylan Parham, redshirt sophomore Trent Pennix and redshirt freshman Chris Toudle. Parham is the most experienced end on the team, and as such will likely receive the most trust in important situations while Pennix, converted from running back, tries to add a different element to the group as a hybrid, Jaylen Samuels-type back. Coming over from receiver, Chris Toudle is likely eyeing Angeline’s now vacant role as a receiving end; someone who can run the seam and exploit mismatches with players in the secondary. Between those three, NC State’s tight end group should regress but remain competitive. Offensive line The story of depth continues with the offensive line, led by stalwarts in redshirt junior center Grant Gibson and sophomore left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Both have
season-ending award and NFL potential, and will anchor NC State’s passing and rushing attacks. At the other tackle spot, swing player Bryson Speas fills in. Speas factored in heavily last year, and gained some weight for the move to tackle. At guard, certified freak redshirt freshman Dylan McMahon, graduate Chandler Zavala and redshirt sophomore Derrick Eason are fighting for spots but it’s likely the former two are the ones who take the field. Still, between those guys, redshirt freshman Tim McKay (back from injury), transfer sophomore Anthony Belton and second-year freshmen Sean Hill, Ethan Lane and Patrick Matan, John Garrison has a ton of players to work with. Defensive line C.J. Clark anchors the defense in the absence of now-Detroit Lion Alim McNeill, and last year’s top pass-rusher, graduate Daniel Joseph, returns to play alongside him. They’ll likely be joined by Florida State grad transfer Cory Durden to fill out NC State’s three-man defensive line, with redshirt junior Ibrahim Kante, freshman Davin Vann and sophomore Savion Jackson filling out the second group. Durden in particular has drawn rave reviews from the staff regarding his versatility and talent, so keep an eye on him this year. Absent from those six is redshirt freshman Terrell Dawkins, a starter at the end of last year, who I didn’t notice on the field at the start of NC State’s fall camp.
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Dawkins had surgery after the 2020 season and missed spring ball, and may still be recovering. Still the line goes three deep at points, as Josh Harris, known for his goal line stands, factors in at defensive tackle as well. Linebacker This group will go down as one of the best linebacking corps NC State’s fielded, and one of the best in the nation. It all starts of course, with NFL-bound redshirt sophomore Payton Wilson, but don’t discount redshirt junior mike linebacker Isaiah Moore. The duo combined for a whopping 202 tackles and 22.5 TFLs last season, and it should be more of the same this year. At the last backer spot, Drake Thomas and Vi Jones could be the strongest first team/second team duo in the country especially considering what Jones adds in special teams. Thomas, though he dealt with injuries, had a solid 2020 and Jones had three blocked kicks or punts last year including a game-sealing field goal block against a ranked Liberty squad in Carter-Finley. Needless to say, the same spot is well taken care of between starter and backup. Other names to know include sophomore Jaylon Scott, reserve at middle linebacker and freshman Devon Betty, reserve at will linebacker. Behind even them, freshmen Jordan Poole and Caden ROSTER continued page 15 Fordham
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Freshman kicker Christopher Dunn goes for an extra point during the 52-10 rout of Louisville on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Cardinal Stadium.
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12 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
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Strenuous football schedule to bring best out of Wolfpack football 2021 Wade Bowman
Assistant Sports Editor
The beginning of another college football season is just a little over a week away, with tons of excitement for the year that NC State is shaping up to have. From returning big names to potential breakout candidates, this team is primed to be one of the best the Pack has fielded in a while. This year presents the Wolfpack with a perfect opportunity to rise back to the top of the Atlantic Division, but the road to get there won’t be short of challenges for the red-and-white.
Nonconference play The season and home opener for NC State this year comes on Thursday, Sept. 2 against the University of South Florida, a team it hasn’t faced since 2014. It would be uninformed to make the assumption that this will be a blowout, but it does provide the Pack with a great opportunity to get accustomed to being back on the field against a lowertier opponent on its schedule comparatively. Next up for the Pack is Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi in a battle between schools that got a lot closer over the course of the 2021 College World Series. Rest assured, however, that the game being played on the field is guaranteed to be an intense one. Any game against an SEC opponent is typically a challenge in college football; this game will be no different. Following that, NC State returns home to face Furman on Sept. 18 during AG Day and Parents and Families Weekend. The star-studded 2017 Wolfpack squad made light work of the Paladins, winning 49-16.
With parents weekend scheduled for this game, it’s clear that the Pack plans on replicating that success again this season. NC State begins ACC play the weekend after its matchup with Furman, but will get its only pause from conference play of the season immediately following its ACC opener against Clemson with a matchup against Louisiana Tech at home. LA Tech comes off a 5-5 season that saw crushing losses and a plethora of canceled games. Coming directly after a Clemson matchup, it’ll likely serve as an opportunity for the Pack to regain its bearings should the game against the Tigers go south.
Conference play
The aforementioned Clemson game will be NC State’s first taste of conference play this season, and it could be a filling one. The Tigers present the Pack with the opportunity to get its biggest win of the season in its biggest game of the year. That is far easier said than done, however, as Clemson is locked and loaded for another run to the College Football Playoff behind Dabo Swinney and his newest five-star quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. After LA Tech comes Boston College on Oct. 16, another team that has given the Pack issues in the past. While many are optimistic for NC State football on a yearly basis, Boston College always has the potential to be the school that brings overzealous fans back down to earth. Even the uber-talented Wolfpack barely scraped by the Eagles in 2017, with that game’s final scoreline being 17-14. Up next is the M ia m i Hu r r icanes, which was a heartbrea ker for the Wolfpack faithful a year ago. This year’s matchup is set to be played in C or a l G a ble s , Florida on Oct. 23, and the Pack will be out for revenge after the nail-biting loss it suffered a year ago. Unfortunately for it, D’Eriq King is back for another year after NICK FAULKNER/TECHNICIAN torching NC State Head coach Dave Doeren looks on towards his team during the 27-23 for 430 yards and loss to Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 in Carter-Finley Stadium. five touchdowns
in the air as well as 120 yards rushing in the game last season. Certainly primed to be one of the most challenging games of the season behind the game against Clemson, this will be one Wolfpack fans won’t want to miss. After Miami comes Louisville in Raleigh, the homecoming game this season. The Cardinals have been a problem for the program year in and year out, and this is another matchup with huge implications should the Pack be able to pull out a win in front of the home crowd. Following the homecoming festivities, the Pack hits the road down to Tallahassee, Florida to face off against the Florida State Seminoles on Nov. 6. Fortunately for the Wolfpack, FSU has seen a rather sizable decline in the status of its football program since the days of Jameis Winston in the early 2010s. NC State’s won two out of the last three meetings between these schools and will hope to get back to winning ways after dropping the last matchup in 2019. Before returning to Carter-Finley on Nov. 20 against Syracuse, State makes a stop in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Wake Forest always brings out all the stops against the Pack, but should everything go according to plan, which is not a guarantee by any stretch, the Pack will slide this game into the win column. It’s back to Carter-Finley after facing Wake Forest to take on Syracuse on Nov. 20, which is also Military Appreciation Day. While not a sure thing, just like any football game on any given day, this game will be one that NC State should win handily. To finish things out in ACC play is everyone’s favorite team to hate, the North Carolina Tar Heels. The final game of the season is set for Nov. 26 in Raleigh and serves as senior day for players planning to move on from the program after the 2021 season. It’s no secret that UNC-Chapel Hill is building something special down the road with Mack Brown at the helm of the football program, and the Tar Heels are set for a run to the top of the ACC this season. With Sam Howell under center for UNC, this game will be another one of the most challenging matchups for the Wolfpack this year. Regardless of the outcome, it’s one that NC State fans can’t miss and the matchup almost always goes down as one of the best experiences in any given football season. This squad has plenty of untapped potential with a solid number of top-tier opponents on the schedule to realize it upon, but only time will tell if the Pack can live up to its expectations for the coming year.
Football Schedule SEPT. 2 (THURS.)
USF
SEPT. 11 (SAT.)
MISSISSIPPI STATE
HOME
AWAY SEPT. 18 (SAT.)
FURMAN
SEPT. 25 (THURS.)
CLEMSON
OCT. 2 (SAT.)
LOUISIANA TECH
HOME
HOME
HOME OCT. 16 (SAT.)
BOSTON COLLEGE AWAY
OCT. 23 (SAT.)
MIAMI
OCT. 30 (SAT.)
LOUISVILLE
NOV. 6 (SAT.)
FLORIDA STATE
NOV. 13 (SAT.)
WAKE FOREST
NOV. 20 (SAT.)
SYRACUSE
NOV. 26 (FRI.)
NORTH CAROLINA
AWAY
HOME
AWAY
AWAY
HOME
HOME
You can view the full story on technicianonline.com.
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Pennix set for potential breakout year in new role Ben Ellis Staff Writer
After a surprising 8-4 season in 2020 that included a school-record seven conference wins, the NC State football team looks like it has the ingredients for a breakout season in 2021, especially considering that the team is returning most of its starters from a season ago. While the Pack may be on the cusp of a breakout as a whole, there are several individual players that may be ready to emerge. One such player that has gotten some buzz this offseason is redshirt sophomore running back Trent Pennix. A Raleigh native and graduate of Sanderson High School, the same high school that former teammate and current Detroit Lion Alim McNeill attended, Pennix is entering his fourth season with the Wolfpack. In his time at NC State, Pennix has been a part of a roller coaster ride with the team, starting with a second-consecutive nine-win season in 2018, followed by one of the worst seasons in recent school history in 2019 that featured a 4-8 record and a dismal 1-7 conference record, which was then followed by one of the more surprising seasons in school history in 2020. Pennix has played a relatively small role in the Wolfpack offense so far, recording 36 carries and 15 receptions in 19 games during his three seasons. However, while those numbers may seem small, some of his receptions have been big, as he has scored three receiving touchdowns, including a touchdown reception on a trick play from redshirt junior wide receiver Thayer Thomas against Syracuse in 2019, which may have been the highlight of the year
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Freshman running back Trent Pennix makes the run after a double pass play. Pennix had 56 yards on the reception during the 41-7 win over Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 in Carter-Finley Stadium.
for the team. One of the main reasons Pennix has received buzz in the offseason is because of speculation that he may play a more versatile role in the offense. With the talented duo of sophomore Zonovan Knight and junior Ricky Person Jr. serving as the primary workhorses out of the backfield, it was up to the coaches to figure out how to utilize Pennix’s skillset. The answer was to have him play multiple positions, which included not only running back, but also wide receiver and even tight end. “He’s a big kid — he’s 230 pounds,” said
head coach Dave Doeren. “He’s got really good speed. He does have great ball skills. He played a lot of receiver in high school. He’s just got a unique blend of size, agility and ball skills. We just got to keep him on the field. He’s had a lot of minor injuries throughout his career that have never allowed him to be a sustained part of our packages on offense. We’re hoping that he can get to be one of those guys that we can count on week to week.” The shift in role has been an adjustment for Pennix, but he feels as though he has become more comfortable with his new
position in the offseason. “The boys really helped me get comfortable with all the plays, all the formations, all the concepts,” Pennix said. “I feel like we could really do some good things on the field as a whole unit.” The versatile role that Pennix is looking to have this season is similar to a role that was held by recent Wolfpack great Jaylen Samuels, who totaled nearly 3,000 yards from scrimmage in his career at NC State. Samuels is in the top 10 in school history in career rushing touchdowns, singleseason rushing touchdowns, single-season receptions twice and career receiving touchdowns, and is the all-time leader in career receptions. Pennix has even reached out to Samuels, who is now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, to help get adjusted to his new role. “I have talked to JaySam,” Pennix said. “I was able to ask him how he was able to manage playing different positions at the same time and how it feels to really be trusted. ... He gave me all the information that I needed, and we just clicked right then and there.” If Pennix’s new role turns out to be a success, the Pack should be in for a real treat. A Tim Beck offense is one that prioritizes explosiveness, and Pennix has shown in a small sample size that he can accommodate that need. “Trent’s a very talented young man, very athletic, very fast,” said offensive coordinator Tim Beck. “He’s big, so we felt like we could utilize him with the depth that we have at the running back position… He’s an electrifying player, that’s for sure. He makes a lot of things happen and creates a lot of mismatch nightmares out there.”
Expectations high for Pack’s talented receiving corps Nicholas Schnittker Sports Editor
Last year was a good, not great, year for NC State’s receiving corps. This year, though, with all five of the Wolfpack’s top receivers from last season back, Leary healthy and Beck’s offense firmly cemented, the wide receiver corps will play a pivotal role in the success of this offense. “I think last year, coach Beck was still trying to figure out his personnel,” said redshirt junior receiver Thayer Thomas. “Even though I was here for a couple years, bringing in his new offense, he just wanted to see who his playmakers were. So I think he has an idea of that now, so it’s more of fixing the little things here and there, instead of trying to figure out personnel. So it’s a lot easier to just focus on the little things and get better at the little things every day.” While the group now has a year of Beck’s
offense under its belt, the receivers are acclimating to another new coach, with the Wolfpack bringing in Joker Phillips as the wide receivers coach during the offseason. Replacing McDonald came as a bit of a surprise, but after six years with the team, getting a fresh face into the receiver room will have its benefits. “[Coach McDonald] even told me, ‘There’s only so much I can do for you,’” Thomas said. “Change is always good, because I think it can help
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Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Thayer Thomas catches on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 at Carter-Finley Stadium. Thomas had four receptions and 51 receiving yards.
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someone actually blossom. … I love the way [Joker’s] come continued from page 13 in and just embraced his role. He understands there’s a veteran group and also a young group. He’s given the power to the players to really coach the young group. And he trusts the older guys.” Led by the trio of Thomas, Carter and senior Emeka Emezie, the Wolfpack’s group is bolstered by a large group of other receivers who can contribute solid numbers. Freshman receiver Porter Rooks is one of those receivers. In 2020, Rooks racked up nearly 300 yards on 24 receptions, solid numbers for a freshman stuck behind the impressive trio of Thomas, Carter and Emezie. With good speed and solid hands, Rooks will be a versatile option for the Wolfpack this season. “My freshman year was a good year,” Rooks said. “It’s just something to build off of. It’s nothing to get complacent about at all. But this season, I feel like I just want to stretch the field a little bit more, take the top off the defense, show my speed. I feel like that’s kind of underrated.” With four strong options and a few other veterans and young guys that can contribute when needed, the receiving corps is deep headed into the 2021 season. “Obviously when I came here, my redshirt freshman year, that was a really close, strong group,” Thomas said. “I would say this is
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the most depth we’ve had. I look back in the room, we have like 21 guys, and 15 guys could go out there right now. It’s really deep, a lot of competition.” With a history of strong receivers in recent years, the group has a lot to live up to and Phillips is ready to help this group continue the established culture of dominant wide receivers at NC State. “My feel for the culture is that it’s a competitive culture in my room,” Phillips said. “We’re deep in numbers, and talented at the top, and they’ve recruited some talent in the class. ... My expectation is for me to continue that. To continue the great wide receiver tradition. I’ve had a lot of success, at this position, coaching in this position, also in the past, but you better have talent. And there’s talent here.” While he hasn’t been here long, Phillips has already made a significant impact on the players. “It’s been great with Joker,” said redshirt sophomore receiver Devin Carter. “He’s a great coach. He’s very hands on and he’s very personable. He wants to know everybody’s name. Not just in the receiver room. He wants to know everybody’s name. He’s a really good person, I love him.” With the players growing more comfortable in Beck’s offense, a lot of returning talent and a new position coach bringing in some fresh ideas to the program, the Wolfpack’s receiving corps should be in for a big year.
‘Mentally tough’ Chris Ingram primed for bounce-back season
GRAPHIC BY ANN SALMAN/TECHNICIAN
Tristan Tucker Managing Editor
It’s been a long time coming for NC State’s senior cornerback Chris Ingram. Serving as the Pack’s de facto secret weapon in the secondary, Ingram is in a good position to turn heads this year in his first game time since the 2019 season. He’s spent the greater part of the last two seasons recovering from a devastating injury suffered midway through that season’s game against Syracuse. Because of the injuries to Ingram and others in the secondary, the Pack gave significant playing time to a whopping 10 players last season. Many of those players were underclassmen, save junior nickelback Tyler Baker-Williams and junior safety Tanner Ingle. But now, Ingram is back and ready to give the Wolfpack a much-needed boost at a position that has been a weakness for NC State for several years.
“It’s an amazing feeling, man,” Ingram said. “Like I’ve been saying, it’s been a blessing. It’s been a long time. Just to be able to be back around the team and with my guys on the field. It’s really been an honor.” Unfortunately, the Wolfpack faithful hasn’t been able to see what Ingram’s potential could really be. After a promising sophomore season, in which racked up 39 tackles and an interception in 12 games, Ingram broke out in 2019, on pace to break those numbers through just six games before his injury. In those six games, Ingram had already notched 32 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections in half the games of his prior season. But then, tragedy struck for Ingram. “I just remember the game was going pretty well, it was right before halftime,” Ingram said. “I feel like I could have put myself in a better position where I wouldn’t have gotten hurt. But we can’t get that back. So it’s just something I learned from; it was a learning moment.”
Down but not out, Ingram was critical in keeping the Pack’s secondary afloat last season, even if he wasn’t physically on the field. With so many underclassmen taking significant reps, it was imperative for Ingram to step into a leadership role, something that came naturally to him. “My favorite part of football is the classroom and knowing the schemes,” Ingram said. “So just being involved in that meeting room, when we meet as a unit and as a position, just being involved, giving my input, watching the film like, ‘Okay, you could have done this better’ or, ‘Next time, read this and then go here.’ Basically reiterating what the coaches are saying from the field. I feel like that was part of what I do already on the field, like even when I’m playing, I feel like I was still part of the team.” Having been on the sideline last season, Ingram still figured out a way to become one of the coaching staff’s go-to players. “Chris is one of my favorite guys on this whole football team and just from, you
know, leadership-wise brings energy to practice, is very smart, knows the scheme and can help bring that secondary together,” said defensive coordinator Tony Gibson. “I think that missing him a year ago and him sitting on the sideline coaching and doing some things and helping guys out, I think that’s really helped him grow as well. But he knows the scheme. He’s almost like a comfort blanket back there for a lot of guys. Everybody looks to him in the back end. Extremely, extremely happy to have him back and look forward to him having his best year.” The recovery process for any athlete is long and strenuous. For skill position players especially, there’s no guarantee that they can come back anywhere close to the same level they played at before the injury because those positions rely so much on athleticism and speed, both of which are affected by lower-body injuries. But Ingram said he doesn’t think his game is going to see any sort of decline in the upcoming season.
Sports
TECHNICIAN 15
TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021
NICK FAULKNER/TECHNICIAN
Sophomore cornerback Chris Ingram signals an incomplete catch. Ingram had three tackles and a pass breakup on the day. The Wolfpack took down Virginia 35-21 on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Carter-Finley Stadium.
ROSTER
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have drawn some early rave reviews and may be the future of this corps. Secondary There aren’t many surprises at the five secondary spots for NC State. At nickel, junior Tyler Baker-Williams is the veteran of the bunch and will start for the Wolfpack, while at the safety spots Jakeen Harris and Tanner Ingle are bolstered by transfer players. Rakeim Ashford, who
saw some action last year before suffering a shoulder injury, returns, while newcomer Florida State transfer Cyrus Fagan is in his first year on the team. Both ensure that should everyone remain healthy, defensive coordinator Tony Gibson will have a steady safety rotation rather than one player taking all the game’s snaps. At cornerback, a 2020 starter returns in Shyheim Battle, and the group gains two from injury in Chris Ingram, who last played during the 2019 season, and Teshaun Smith, who was injured midway through last season. It also added Derrek Pitts Jr., a transfer from Marshall, who’s pushing to start at corner. Freshman cornerback Ay-
dan White, who saw some action and had an interception last year, adds to the mix as do freshman nickel Josh Pierre-Louis and sophomore cornerback Cecil Powell. Pierre-Louis and Powell were both forced into starting roles last year either because of injury or contact tracing, and that experience bolsters this group. Everywhere you turn, NC State has players that have been in games and it’s part of why this defense has the potential to be so good this season. Special teams NC State’s got two of the most reliable players in two of its most important positions: kicker and punter. Kicker Chris Dunn has all but erased the bad trauma
“I feel like I worked on my mental so much,” Ingram said. “Once you’re mentally tough I feel like football shape is gonna come straight to you. Once you get out of here, you push yourself. All you gotta do is push yourself. It’s all about the mental.” While he made a significant impact on the Pack’s performance last season from afar, Ingram is anxious to get back onto the field. In his fifth season with NC State, Ingram is confident that the Wolfpack’s secondary will reach new heights this season. “I feel like you want that separation, but at the same time, I don’t want too much separation from the first guy or the last guy,” Ingram said of the cornerback room’s competition. “That’s because I feel like if it’s a job, if somebody goes down, God forbid something happens, somebody’s tired, we could put the next guy in. I like that depth in the corner room. That’s why I’m so excited to work with those guys because it’s so much competition. It’s been the best group I’ve been able to be around since I’ve been at NC State.” Playing football is like riding a bike, Ingram said. This year, he’s going to enjoy the ride. “I’m changing gears; I’ll pop a wheelie,” Ingram said. “Like, I feel like it’s just fun, man. Like I’m out here. I feel like a kid again. Man. I wasn’t able to be I wasn’t able to play football. So you know, once you’re out there, it’s full go.”
NC State fans have from those who came just before him, and will go down as one of the greatest kickers in program history. Fighting through injury at times last year, he kicked 12 of 17 with a long of 53 yards but should be back to his old self this season. At punter, Trenton Gill also had a bit of a down year last season, but it’s harder to punt when the offense is able to move the ball downfield. His average punt length dropped by about 2 yards from 2019 to 2020, though he remains the program’s career leader in average punt length at 46.3 yards. Between Gill and Dunn, NC State is set in its special teams.