What Is 2002 NC State Wolfpack football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2002 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Chuck Amato. They played in the 2002 Tangerine Bowl, defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 28–6 on December 27, 2002, marking their first bowl win since 1994.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 7–5 overall record
Defeated Notre Dame 28–6 in the 2002 Tangerine Bowl
Head coach Chuck Amato led the team in his third season
Played in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Won four of their last five games to qualify for a bowl

Overview

The 2002 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the team was led by head coach Chuck Amato in his third year at the helm, aiming to build on previous improvements and secure a winning season.

The Wolfpack finished the regular season with a 7–5 record, earning an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl. Their strong finish culminated in a dominant 28–6 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, marking a significant milestone for the program and ending a long bowl victory drought.

Record: The team finished with a 7–5 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in ACC conference play, demonstrating competitive balance against league opponents.
Bowl Game: They played in the 2002 Tangerine Bowl on December 27, 2002, held at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, drawing a crowd of over 45,000 fans.
Opponent: The Wolfpack faced the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who entered the game with a 7–5 record, making it a matchup of evenly matched teams.
Result: NC State won decisively, 28–6, with standout performances from quarterback Philip Rivers and the defensive unit that forced multiple turnovers.
Significance: This victory was the program’s first bowl win since 1994, ending an eight-year drought and boosting morale for future recruiting and program development.

Season Performance

The 2002 campaign featured a mix of close losses and strong finishes, with the Wolfpack showing resilience throughout the season. Despite early struggles, they won four of their final five games to secure bowl eligibility and build momentum under Amato’s leadership.

Philip Rivers: The junior quarterback threw for 2,774 yards and 20 touchdowns, earning second-team All-ACC honors and solidifying his status as a future NFL prospect.
Defensive Strength: The defense allowed just 20.8 points per game, led by linebacker Thomas Everett and safety Jerricho Cotchery, who recorded multiple interceptions.
ACC Competition: NC State competed in a tough ACC lineup that included Florida State, Maryland, and Clemson, finishing in the middle of the conference standings.
Key Win: A 17–10 victory over Maryland in November was pivotal, helping secure bowl eligibility and showcasing the team’s defensive discipline.
Home Field: The Wolfpack played home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, averaging over 48,000 fans per game, reflecting strong local support.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2002 NC State Wolfpack season compares to recent prior seasons in key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	ACC Record	Bowl Result	Head Coach
2000	8–4	4–4	Lost Gator Bowl	Chuck Amato
2001	7–5	3–5	No bowl (ineligible)	Chuck Amato
2002	7–5	4–4	Won Tangerine Bowl (28–6 vs. Notre Dame)	Chuck Amato
2003	11–3	6–2	Won Gator Bowl	Chuck Amato
2004	6–6	3–5	No bowl	Chuck Amato

The 2002 season served as a bridge between inconsistent years and the breakout 2003 campaign. While the win total didn’t improve from 2001, the bowl victory provided crucial momentum, confidence, and national recognition that helped elevate the program in subsequent years.

Why It Matters

The 2002 season was a turning point in NC State football history, proving the program could compete in major bowl games and defeat nationally prominent teams like Notre Dame. This victory helped elevate recruiting, fan engagement, and long-term expectations for the Wolfpack.

Bowl Drought Ended: The win snapped an eight-year bowl victory drought, the longest in program history at the time, restoring pride and credibility.
Recruiting Boost: Success in 2002 helped attract higher-rated recruits, including future NFL players like Jerricho Cotchery and Mario Williams.
Philip Rivers’ Legacy: Rivers’ performance solidified his legacy as one of NC State’s greatest quarterbacks, later selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft.
Program Momentum: The win set the stage for the 11–3 season in 2003, the best in decades, showing the value of sustained success.
Media Exposure: Beating Notre Dame on national television increased visibility for the ACC and NC State’s athletic department.
Coach Amato’s Tenure: The victory bolstered Amato’s reputation, though he would later be dismissed in 2006 after declining performance in later seasons.

The 2002 Tangerine Bowl win remains a celebrated moment in NC State football lore. It demonstrated that with strong leadership and team cohesion, the Wolfpack could rise to the occasion and achieve success on a national stage.