North Carolina State University Athletics
Football Preview, Part One: Quarterbacks
7/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 14, 2003
Offense (Multiple)
Starters Lost/Returning: 4/7
Lettermen Lost/Returning: 6/17
Exciting offense has become a hallmark of NC State football during Chuck Amato's first three years at NC State. The 2002 Wolfpack offense continued that tradition, leading the ACC in scoring (32.9 ppg) and setting school records for completions, passing yards, total yards and points. In the last three seasons, the offense has continued to click at a steady pace behind Mr. Consistency, quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers, who ranks fifth in ACC history with 8,993 career passing yards, returns for his fourth season as a starter.
His arsenal will be fully loaded for his senior campaign, as all but one skill player returns from 2002 and several speedy wideouts have joined the squad.
In addition to Rivers, who passed for 3,353 yards last season, NC State also returns a 1,000-yard receiver in steady senior Jerricho Cotchery and a 1,000-yard rusher in T.A. McLendon, the 2002 ACC Rookie of the Year.
QUARTERBACK
Considered by some to be the frontrunner for the 2003 Heisman Trophy, Philip Rivers (6-5, 236, Sr.), enters his senior season ranked fifth in ACC history in career passing yards (8,993), third in touchdown passes (61), seventh in total offense (8,982) and has led the Pack to a 26-12 record as a starter.
Displaying consistent productivity throughout his career, Rivers has started all 38 games of his career. He needs only 846 yards passing this season to become the ACC's all-time leading passer. He also has a chance to set new league marks for total offense, touchdown passes and completions.
"I can't put into words how much Philip Rivers means to this team, this program and this university," said Amato. "He has been such a key to our success in the last three years and I think his senior year will be his best. His leadership has been one of his greatest attributes throughout his career and I think that will be even more important to us in the upcoming season."
Jay Davis (6-2, 198, *So.) and Chris Moore (6-6, 217, *Fr.) battled it out for the backup role at quarterback during spring drills, with Davis boasting the advantage of seeing limited action in five games last season while Moore redshirted. Both completed over 50% of their throws in spring scrimmages and neither threw an interception. The battle for Rivers' backup should be intense in fall camp, as highly-touted rookie Marcus Stone (6-4, 230, Fr.) also enters the picture. The Parade All-American threw for 5,871 yards during his prep career.
Tomorrow: A look at the wide receivers.
