What Is 2004 NC State Wolfpack football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7-5 record and winning the 2004 Tangerine Bowl 56-26 over Kansas. Head coach Chuck Amato led the team to its third consecutive bowl victory.

Key Facts

The 2004 NC State Wolfpack finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record and a 4-4 mark in the ACC.
They defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 56-26 in the 2004 Tangerine Bowl on December 28, 2004.
Head coach Chuck Amato led the team for the fourth consecutive season, maintaining a strong recruiting presence.
Quarterback Philip Rivers, though no longer on the team, had left a strong legacy from the previous year.
The team was led on offense by quarterback Jay Davis and running back William Green, though Green had departed in 2001.

Overview

The 2004 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the team was led by fourth-year head coach Chuck Amato and played its home games at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Wolfpack finished the regular season with a 7-5 overall record and a 4-4 mark in conference play, securing a bowl berth for the fourth straight year. They capped their season with a dominant performance in the Tangerine Bowl, defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 56-26 on December 28, 2004.

Season Record: The team finished 7-5 overall and 4-4 in ACC play, marking their fourth consecutive winning season under Chuck Amato.
Bowl Game: They won the 2004 Tangerine Bowl, defeating Kansas 56-26 in Orlando, Florida, showcasing one of the most explosive offensive performances in school history.
Head Coach: Chuck Amato entered his fourth season as head coach, maintaining a 7-5 record and continuing to build NC State’s national profile.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Jay Davis started most games, throwing for 1,834 yards and 11 touchdowns, stepping into big shoes left by Philip Rivers.
Defensive Standout: Defensive end Mario Williams began to emerge as a future NFL star, recording 5.5 sacks and earning freshman All-American honors.

How It Works

The 2004 season reflected NC State’s transition phase after the departure of star quarterback Philip Rivers, who had led the team to success in 2002 and 2003. The program relied on a mix of experienced players and young talent to maintain competitiveness in the ACC.

Offensive System: The Wolfpack utilized a pro-style offense under offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien, emphasizing balanced play between the run and pass. They averaged 27.3 points per game during the regular season.
Defensive Scheme: Running a 4-3 base defense, NC State focused on aggressive pass rushing and tight coverage. They allowed 22.8 points per game, a slight increase from previous years.
Recruiting Impact: Chuck Amato’s strong recruiting classes brought in future NFL talent like Mario Williams and John McCargo, who contributed immediately as freshmen.
Bowl Eligibility: With six wins needed for bowl eligibility, NC State secured its seventh win against North Carolina on November 20, finishing 7-5 and earning a Tangerine Bowl bid.
Key Rivalries: The team faced traditional rivals like North Carolina and Maryland, splitting its ACC record with 4 wins and 4 losses in conference play.
Player Development: Jay Davis improved throughout the season, throwing for 1,834 yards and 11 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions, showing growth under pressure.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2004 season can be best understood by comparing it to the previous two seasons under Chuck Amato, highlighting trends in performance, recruiting, and bowl results.

Season	Overall Record	ACC Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
2002	11-3	6-2	Continental Tire Bowl (W)	Chuck Amato
2003	8-5	4-4	Insight Bowl (W)	Chuck Amato
2004	7-5	4-4	Tangerine Bowl (W)	Chuck Amato
2005	7-6	3-5	Continental Tire Bowl (W)	Chuck Amato
2006	3-9	1-7	None	Chuck Amato (fired mid-season)

This table illustrates a gradual decline in ACC performance after 2004, despite bowl wins in 2004 and 2005. The 2004 team maintained stability during a transitional year, but the program struggled to maintain momentum in subsequent seasons, culminating in Amato’s dismissal in 2006. The 2004 Tangerine Bowl victory remains a highlight of that era.

Why It Matters

The 2004 season was significant as it represented the tail end of a successful era under Chuck Amato, who elevated NC State’s football profile nationally. Though the team didn’t reach the heights of the 2002 season, the consistent bowl appearances and strong recruiting laid groundwork for future development.

Program Momentum: Three straight bowl wins from 2002 to 2004 gave NC State credibility and helped boost recruiting efforts across the Southeast.
Player Development: The emergence of Mario Williams, who would become the #1 overall NFL Draft pick in 2006, began during this season.
Stadium Atmosphere: Carter-Finley Stadium saw strong attendance, with an average of over 55,000 fans per game, reflecting growing fan support.
ACC Competition: The team’s 4-4 conference record showed competitiveness against strong programs like Florida State and Virginia Tech.
Bowl Legacy: The 56-26 Tangerine Bowl win was one of the most lopsided victories in the bowl’s history, enhancing NC State’s national reputation.
Transition Phase: The 2004 season marked the end of the Philip Rivers era and the beginning of a rebuilding period that would eventually lead to coaching changes.

While not a championship-caliber season, the 2004 NC State Wolfpack maintained a winning tradition and provided memorable moments for fans, especially the explosive Tangerine Bowl performance. It remains a notable chapter in the program’s modern history.