The words nearly escaped Tony Adams’ mouth.
The senior offensive lineman was trying to explain why N.C. State struggles so much with Boston College.
“Um, I don’t know,” said Adams, who grew up in Boston.
The pensive All-ACC right guard thought about it for a minute.
“Boston College, they may have our num … ,” Adams said.
He caught himself right in the middle of the word “number.”
“No, I’m not going to say that,” Adams said laughing.
Adams’ partial candor can be forgiven. How else can you explain N.C. State’s annual problems, in football and the other major sports, with the Eagles?