TECHNICIAN
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State to face range of challenges in 2014 Marissa Counts Correspondent
Football is in the air and Wolfpack fans eagerly await a 2014 campaign full of potential after a disappointing final record of 3-9 in 2013. With the season opener kicking off at Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday, here’s an in-depth look at the NC State 2014 schedule. 8/30/14 vs. Georgia Southern Coming off a seven-win season, including an upset over Florida in the last game of 2013, Georgia Southern returns sophomore quarterback Kevin Ellison, who averaged 80 rushing yards per game last season, as well as five senior offensive linemen up front. However, a new coaching staff led by Willie Fritz, the former head coach at Sam Houston State University, brings its fair share of questions for the Eagles. In short: Don’t write Georgia Southern off.
9/6/14 vs. Old Dominion Old Dominion won eight out of 12 games in 2013. However, three of the team’s four losses — Maryland, Pitt, and UNC — were to ACC opponents. This season, Old Dominion joins Conference USA, making them an official FBS team for the first time. An eight-win season is certainly intimidating, but last season’s struggles versus ACC teams could be a good sign for the Wolfpack. 9/13/14 at South Florida The South Florida Bulls posted only two wins in the 2013 season along with 10 losses. However, the trip to Tampa will be the first road game of 2014 for the Wolfpack, which did not win a single road game last year. The Wolfpack and Bulls have not met since 2008, when USF won 41-10. 9/20/14 vs. Presbyterian
The Pack takes on the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Parent’s and Families Weekend at NC State. The Blue Hose are coming off of a three-win, eight-loss season and have hired two new assistant defensive coaches. The Wolfpack seeks to win in front of family in the two teams’ first meeting since 1930, a game which Presbyterian won. 9/27/14 vs. Florida State The last time FSU visited Raleigh, the Pack pulled off the most exciting win Carter-Finley had seen in many seasons, edging the Seminoles 17-16. Last season, however, NC State travelled to Tallahassee only to lose by a score of 49-17 to the would-be undefeated, national champion FSU team. Returning to lead FSU is sophomore and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Jameis Winston, so this will be one of the toughest games for the Pack this season. 10/4/14 at Clemson The Clemson Tigers suffered only two losses last year while claiming 11 victories, including a win in the 2014 Orange Bowl. However, this offseason, the Tigers lost key players including the fourth overall NFL draft pick, Sammy Watkins, and 6th round pick, former star QB, Tahj Boyd. 10/11/14 vs. Boston College Boston College had a 2013 record of 7-6, splitting its ACC games 4-4, but lost eight crucial starters in the offseason. Last year’s Boston College team nearly defeated Florida State, but the 2014 season should be a rebuilding year. For the Pack, this game will likely hinge on stopping the run, which BC’s offensive coordinator, Ryan Day, is known for. 10/18/14 at Louisville Louisville officially joins the ACC in 2014 after posting a 2013 record of 12-1, including a win in the 2014 Citrus Bowl. The Cardinals lost QB Teddy Bridgewater to the NFL and head coach Charlie Strong, who left to coach Texas. New Head Coach Bobby Petrino, who coached the Cards from 2003-2006, is known for an explosive offense, meaning the Pack defense will have to work to secure a win. 11/01/14 at Syracuse The Orange finished its first season as
members of the ACC with seven wins, including one in the Texas Bowl. Syracuse returns nearly every player from last year, meaning the team has plenty of experience this season. The Wolfpack must apply pressure on both sides of the ball in order to pull out a win against the Orange. 11/08/14 vs. Georgia Tech Georgia Tech finished the 2014 season with a record of 7-6, but in those seven wins, the Yellow Jackets took down UNC, Duke and shut out Syracuse 56-0. Since their ACC title in 2009, the Yellow Jackets have floated around the middle of the ACC rankings. They win, not consistently, but when they do, they often destroy opponents. The Wolfpack likely faces a challenge with GT, but not an impossible one. 11/15/14 vs. Wake Forest Wake Forest didn’t have a great season in 2013, winning only four games. One of those wins was against the Wolfpack, however. The Demon Deacons hired a new head coach, Dave Clawson, who is known for rebuilding teams such as Fordham, Richmond and Bowling Green. 11/29/14 at UNC-Chapel Hill When it comes to the Tar Heels vs. the Wolfpack, emotions typically come before statistics. That said, last season, the Tar Heels won seven games, including the Belk Bowl, and lost six but defeated the Wolfpack at Carter-Finley in the 2013 homecoming game. The Heels return junior QB Marquise Williams while losing five players to the NFL. In the 2014 season finale, the Pack travels down the street to Chapel Hill to seek revenge for last year’s loss. Earlier in the year, the Technician predicted a 7-5 season for the Wolfpack in 2014 — a prediction the sports staff still stands by. Though they will be good tests before a tough ACC schedule, State should take care of its four non-conference opponents in its first four weeks of play. With near certain victories coming against Wake Forest and Boston College, the Pack should be able to take a game against either Syracuse or Georgia Tech and secure a berth in the postseason.
Football schedule Sat, Aug 30 vs. Georgia Southern 12:30 PM Sat, Sep 6 vs. Old Dominion 6:00 PM Sat, Sep 13 @ South Florida 3:30 PM Sat, Sep 20 vs. Presbyterian TBD Sat, Sep 27 vs. Florida State TBD Sat, Oct 4 @ Clemson TBD Sat, Oct 11 vs. Boston College TBD
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Highlighting the Pack’s most potent offensive weapons Jake Lange Associate Sports Editor
The Student Wolfpack Club’s goal is to organize support and help to promote NC State Athletics. Each year members of the club attend NC State sporting events to help create an incredible home court and home field advantage for the Wolfpack. The Student Wolfpack supports all of NC State’s Varsity sports programs.
Benefits: • The opportunity to receive premium student seating at men’s basketball & football games • Invitations to attend Student Wolfpack Club gatherings • Membership card & car decal • Student Wolfpack Club T-shirt
www.studentwolfpackclub.com | 919-865-1500
The NC State football team is prepped and ready for the new football season to be underway. Much of this year’s outcome will rely on the performances of the Pack’s key offensive weapons: redshirt senior wide receiver Bryan Underwood and junior running back Shadrach Thornton. Underwood carried a productive season last year, which included reaching the milestone of having caught 13 career touchdown receptions, which ties him for 10th in school history. The 5’9”, 180-pounder had a terrific string of performances in several of last season’s initial games. Underwood served as the team’s leading rusher against No. 3 Clemson after gaining 54 yards on two end-around runs. The veteran also accrued 190 all-purpose yards against Central Michigan and snagged a career-high 11 catches in the following week against Wake Forest. Unfortunately, Underwood’s prosperous season was cut short when the University Heights, Ohio native suffered a season ending collarbone injury, causing him to miss the last five games of the season. “Last year was a tough time with me getting hurt,” Underwood said. “It was hard not being able to play with my teammates and not competing in the game that I love to play. I studied my teammates, saw how they handled adversity and saw what they could pick up.
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I helped out anyway I could, and now I’m all right and ready to go.” Underwood said he is more ready than ever to get back on the field after heavily progressing in the offseason, such as gaining the ability to squat 500 lbs. according to Head Coach Dave Doeren. The veteran has also been credited
for his work ethic and guidance in practice and camp, having strongly asserted himself as a team leader. Shadrach Thornton will be accompanying redshirt senior signal caller Jacoby Brissett behind the line of scrimmage this year. The Hinesville, Georgia native was explosive last season, rushing a total of 768 yards and averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Thornton ranked third in the ACC in rush-
ing against with 78.9 yards per game last season. Thornton had a handful of notable performances last year, beginning with his very first carry of the season against Clemson, when rushing for a 21-yard touchdown. Thornton rushed a career high 173 yards against Florida State. In the late third quarter of the matchup, Thornton scorched the national champion Seminoles’ backfield with a 72-yard touchdown run,
which encompassed a leap over an unbalanced cornerback and a Madden-worthy spin move past the team’s safety. 2014 is the year that both Underwood and Thornton must prove themselves in alternate ways. Underwood must come back better than ever since overcoming his injury and shine as the Pack’s strongest receiver and offensive leader in his last year with the team. Despite the strength of competition
in the ACC, Thornton must establish himself as the most dominant running back in the conference, having developed brilliantly in the offseason and possessing a rushing ability rarely found in NCAA running backs.
Coed Cheerleading & Mascot Tryouts Sept 9&10 @ 6pm Carmichael Gym (in the Gymnastics Facility) Contact harold_trammel@ncsu.edu for additional information or go to gopack.com/cheerleading for required paperwork This is a great opportunity for males & females who love NC State, want to be on the field/court for football & basketball games & enjoy being part of a competitive team
Freshmen ready to make an early impact Pack fans can rejoice with a strong 2014 recruiting class. Four incoming freshmen are set to make their presence felt this season. West Mecklenburg quarterback Jalan McClendon is behind starter Jacoby Brissett but has tremendous potential and will only make Brissett better. Bo Hines has the capability to start at wide receiver and could play a role as punt returner. A versatile playmaker, Hines has impressed Head Coach Dave Doeren, who loves his reliability. Former Independence offensive lineman Tony Adams will most likely start at center for the Wolfpack this season after a stellar high school career. Finally, Kentavius Street should get plenty of reps at defensive end in 2014. The highly rated defensive recruit will serve as a threatening component in the defensive line and should harass opposing offenses all season.
Name: Jalan McClendon Height/Weight/Position: 6’5”, 200 lbs., Quarterback High School: West Mecklenburg Key Stats: Threw for over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, led team to a 9-3 record, No. 15 quarterback nationally by scout.com What other schools gave offers? East Carolina, Florida State, Miami, UNC and Wake Forest, according to ESPN. Quotes: “If we have something where [Jacoby Brissett] can’t play a game or a series, we’re not having to change schematically [to put Jalan in].” - Head Coach Doeren
Name: Bo Hines
Name: Tony Adams
Name: Kentavius Street
Height/Weight/Position: 6’1”, 190 lbs., Wide Receiver
Height/Weight/Position: 6’2”, 301 lbs., Center
Height/Weight/Position: 6’2”, 287 pounds, Defensive End
High School: Charlotte Christian
High School: Independence
High School: Rose
Key Stats: No. 7 center nationally by scout.com
Key Stats: 92 tackles with 16 tackles for loss as a senior, helped team to a 12-3 record, No. 2 player in North Carolina by rivals.com
Key Stats: 10 catches for 132 yards in Kay Yow Spring Game. 51 receptions for 832 yards and 12 touchdowns, 229 rushing yards and two touchdowns as a senior. What other schools gave offers? Appalachian State, Ball State, Charlotte, Duke, East Carolina, Harvard, Marshall, Massachusetts, Nebraska and Ohio, according to ESPN. Quotes: “Bo Hines is a very reliable player.” - Head Coach Doeren “I like Hines a lot. When he catches the ball, he makes plays.” - QB Jacoby Brissett
What other schools gave offers? Adams saw interest from UNC, South Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest, but signed with State before other schools made official offers. Quotes: “Tony has great feet for a big man. He’s an athletic guy that gets to the second level. He’s a serious kid from a great program.” - Head Coach Dave Doeren
What other schools gave offers? Ole Miss, Florida State, Clemson, Duke, East Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, UNC, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Old Dominion, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech, according to ESPN. Quotes: Doeren said Street was the “best defensive player in North Carolina.”
Brissett vital cog in Wolfpack machine Preston Ellis Correspondent
Highly rated and anticipated redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett looks to take over the reins as quarterback this season for the NC State football team, as it looks to turn things around after a 3-9 record last year. Brissett has long been seen by many as the next great quarterback to come through NC State, but he has been away from game action for quite some time. Saturday marks the 651st day since Brissett last threw the ball in game action. Brissett, a four-star recruit, according to scout.com, was elected to join the Florida Gators out of high school. He was impressive in his time as a Gator, throwing for 455 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for three touchdowns. However, after losing the starting job to Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel, Brissett sought opportunity elsewhere and decided to join the Pack. Since the day of his arrival, State fans have eagerly awaited for him to step on the field for the Wolfpack. That day is Saturday at Carter-Finley stadium against Georgia Southern. “It’s been great just to be back out with the team,” Brissett said. “Just to be a part of the huddle, the practices, just to go through everything they went through last year and now work towards a better outcome.” Despite the hype that Brissett is receiving from fans and the media, he’s just ready to play the game. Brissett stated that he is tired of hearing that this is his team and that he will be looked at to make all of the plays for a State offense
Redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett makes a pass during the team’s first official practice on Aug. 2.
that was stagnate at times last year. While the Florida native is talented and will be an asset to the offense this year, Brissett said he feels that he has many around him that will be useful this season. “It gets old talking about [how he will need to make every play],” Brissett said. “It has been players stepping up left and right every day in camp, making plays, and it’s making my job a lot easier.” Another thing working in Brissett’s favor is the arrival of new offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Canada, the former offensive coordinator at Wisconsin, led the Badgers to a Rose Bowl appearance and directed a prolific rushing offense led by Montee Ball. The year prior, he worked under
none other than Head Coach Dave Doeren at Northern Illinois University, where the two combined to lead the Huskies to a top 15 ranked offense. Coach Canada has been teaching Brissett the same key attributes that made his previous offenses so strong. “Just understanding the whole picture and just using our weapons [is what Canada is teaching],” Brissett said. “Just being positive even though bad things may happen, just going to the next play and being a great leader.” Despite not having taken a snap yet as a member of the Wolfpack, State players look to Brissett as the leader on offense. In a largely young team featuring true freshmen who will see time as a part of
the offense and other team members who just do not have much game experience, Brissett’s leadership is vital. “I’m not going to say it’s difficult [being the leader], but everyone saw the outcome last year,” Brissett said. “I felt like that was a role I needed to do; at the end of the day everybody needs a little push.” Brissett also wants fans to expect a different player than the one they saw at Florida two years ago. He transferred from a place where he knew everyone in order to better himself as a football player. While Brissett was still impressive in his time at Florida, he feels he has grown as a player and a person and that it will go a long way on the field.
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“I feel like I am a lot more mature,” Brissett said. “The transfer process made me grow up a lot,” The long awaited debut is right around the corner for the heralded quarterback, and soon, Pack fans will get what they have long been waiting for. Regardless of what Brissett’s performance on the field may be, he is a welcomed member to the Wolfpack family and a player and person State is lucky to have. “I left somewhere where I knew everyone and everything; I had to pack a bag and go,” Brissett said. “The team, the coaches the people around just made me welcomed. I’m happy.”