As the weekend approaches and weather forecasts continue to show rain and thunderstorms, the N.C. State football returns to Carter-Finley Stadium for the 3rd Annual Kay Yow Spring game and give fans a chance to see how far the team has come since the fall season.
“I’m really hoping to get some game speed experience,” redshirt sophomore Dean Haynes said.
In just one of many Wolfpack position changes, the native of Tunnell Hill, Ga., has been using spring practice to make the transition back to the secondary after starting eight games at running back a year ago.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there, playing with my friends, having fun and really testing how much I’ve learned over the spring,” Haynes said.
Last year, the game drew over 25,000 fans and helped raise over $21,000 for the Kay Yow WBCA Cancer Fund. The Red team prevailed against the White team by the final score of 31-21. Overall, it was a good effort from both sides, with no recorded injuries,
“Spring game is a blast,” redshirt senior Daniel Imhoff said. “For me, that’s been the highlight of my career up to this point.”
The Wolfpack split up into two units for the game with the Red team comprised of the second-team offensive unit and the first-team defensive unit. The White team featured the first-team offensive squad and the second-team defense.
Imhoff is considered the new second-string quarterback as redshirt junior Mike Glennon moves into the starting role.
“Of course we’ve had some great times during the season, but for me personally that was just an awesome, awesome experience,” Imhoff said. “I’m excited about what we’ve got going here, what we’ve got with our team and my opportunities coming up. “
With Russell Wilson’s future still up in the air, Glennon has made the most of his opportunity to fill the shoes of what many consider the most demanding position in football. The Centreville, Va., native prepares for his third spring game as the favored starting quarterback for the 2011-2012 season.
“Hopefully I get some more game experience because it’s the closest thing we get,” Glennon said. “In the off-season I’m really hoping to continue to build on my skills and just get bigger, faster and stronger.”
In last year’s game, Glennon went 21-for-38 for 423 yards and three touchdowns.
“Just coming out here for 13 practices now, I think as an offense, we’ve improved in being comfortable with one another,” Glennon said. “I look in the huddle and it’s all my buddies that I came in here with. It’s just fun and it’s a great opportunity.
“[This year] I put on some weight. I’ve gotten bigger, faster, stronger and hopefully over the summer I’ll continue to get a little bit bigger.”
In last year’s spring game, State used only 46 scholarship players, holding out more than 20 players due to injuries. However, the Pack welcomes back the majority of those players who sat out with injuries last year, such as cornerbacks Jarvis Byrd and Rashard Smith. This year’s anticipated starting squad for both offense and defense looks to be a successful one.
“I knew my time would come eventually,” Glennon said. “It’s part of college football, and it takes some time. But I knew my time would come eventually. It’s the same plays, it’s just going to feature more plays that play to my strengths, whereas Russell’s might have been a little bit different. “
Imhoff has high hopes for Saturday’s game, similar to that of his past performances.
“Last year I had a lot of success,” Imhoff said. “I was able to put a couple things together and we had a good time. Hopefully I’ll have my chance to go and hopefully have a repeat of last year.”
The spring game kicks off at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Carter-Finley Stadium with gates open for tailgating at 8 a.m.
