Football fans can finally rejoice as this Saturday, N.C. State will be holding its annual Kay Yow Spring Game at Carter-Finley Stadium, showcasing the hard work the team has put in during its spring workouts. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. and the stadium opens at 10:30 a.m.
The 2013 Wolfpack endured a painful season under head coach Dave Doeren’s first year in charge, but spirits on the practice field have been more than optimistic during spring workouts. Arguably the most noticeable aspect of N.C. State’s 2014 football team is an early sense of leadership and cohesiveness.
After a year of sitting on the bench, as per NCAA rules with transfers, redshirt junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett has already asserted himself as a leader for the team.
Despite never stepping on the game field for N.C. State, he has earned the title of starting quarterback. The West Palm Beach, Fla. native played for the University of Florida until he transferred after his sophomore season. Brissett established himself as a team player early on in his time in Raleigh, visibly rallying his teammates throughout last season even though he could not play with them.
Senior defensive end senior Art Norman will lead perhaps one of State’s strongest units this season. The Stone Mountain, Ga. native led the team in sacks last year (4.5) and received the team’s Carey Brewbaker Defensive Lineman of the Year award.
The running back slots are up for grabs this season. Redshirt senior Tony Creecy, junior Shadrach Thornton, and sophomore Matt Dayes all saw playing time last season. Thornton will likely get the starting nod, as he started the final nine games of last season and finished third in the ACC in rushing yards per game (78.9 per game).
State lost two of its starting receivers this year, Quintin Payton and Rashard Smith, but fans can look forward to the return of redshirt senior wide receiver Bryan Underwood, who broke his collarbone and missed the final five games of last season.
Other names to look out for at wide receiver Saturday include junior Maurice Morgan, sophomores Jumichael Ramos and Marquez Valdes-Scantling and freshman Bo Hines.
Doeren said he has a kept a close eye on a few of his new recruits, especially Hines.
“He has a chance of starting next year, if he keeps doing what he has been doing,” Doeren said. “He’s been productive every practice we’ve had.”
Other promising freshmen include offensive lineman Tony Adams, who has been practicing with the starting unit after an injury to junior center Quinton Schooley.
The Pack’s reliable placekicker, senior Niklas Sade, will return this year as an obvious choice for first string. Currently, Sade is second in school history in extra points (121)—four away from tying former placekicker Josh Czajkowski. Sade also made 19 field goals out of 23 attempts in the 2013 season.
Over the course of spring practice, Doeren said the defensive half of the team has dominated scrimmages.
“It’s disappointing,” Doeren said. “As head coach I’m really excited about what I see on one side, and on the other… well that’s just spring ball.”
The overall energy on State’s practice field is tangibly electric. The Wolfpack’s effort, motivation and leadership all point to an end result that will likely show improvement from last season.
