North Carolina State University Athletics
Stone Named Wolfpack Starter
10/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - In hopes of injecting a little life into his struggling offense, NC State head football coach Chuck Amato announced on Monday that redshirt sophomore Marcus Stone would replace senior Jay Davis as the Wolfpack's starting quarterback in this Saturday's home game against Southern Mississippi. Kick off is set for 12 noon. After becoming the ACC's leading passer through four games, Davis struggled in losses to Clemson and Wake Forest over the last two weeks. Stone was called on against the Deacons on Saturday, and threw a pair of touchdown passes in the Pack's 27-19 loss.
"We are going to make a change at quarterback," Amato said during his weekly press conference on Monday. "We're going to hand the ball to Marcus Stone. There's something missing [with the offense], and it's a shame that it's always pointed towards the quarterback. We're just going to take a look at this. We discussed it this morning with Jay and Marcus."
For Stone, a highly recruited signal caller from Steelton, Pa. three years ago, this will mark the first start of his career against the Golden Eagles.
"It's something I've been dreaming about since I was a little kid to start at a Division 1-A university," Stone said. "I'm excited and I'm ready for it. Jay and I have been competing for the last two years and we've become close friends. I hated that it happened this way, but I'm willing to step in and try to make a change."
The starting quarterback in NC State's last 17 games dating back to last season, Davis hit just 50 percent of his passes for 235 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns over his last two games.
"I'm going to help Marcus prepare and help him do his job," Davis said. "As for me, I'm going to continue to prepare as a starter, continue to watch tape and do all of the things I've done up to this point. My emotions are fine. Marcus and I have been competing for a long time. I feel fine and I just want to start winning."
Over the last two weeks, Davis had come under increased criticism from NC State fans, even drawing some boos in the games against Clemson and Wake.
"We certainly haven't given them anything to cheer about," said Davis. "Hopefully, the change will give us a spark. We're looking for a spark and we're hoping Marcus can give it to us."
After entering the game in the second quarter against Wake Forest on Saturday, Stone rallied the Pack from a 13-0 deficit, throwing scoring passes to Brian Clark and Tramain Hall. He also had his share of misfires as well, completing 6-of-16 passes for 136 yards and a third quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown. Davis also had an interception returned for a score as Wake Forest scored a pair of TDs without its offense ever setting foot on the field.
"Marcus threw two touchdown passes in the game and you can't take that away from him," said Amato. "It's time to find out how good he is. These two young men have been fighting for that position the last year and a half, in a very competitive fight. I said [to Stone] `you've got the ball and you don't need to be looking over your shoulder. Jay is there, but you don't need to be looking over your shoulder.' We've got to give him an opportunity."
Davis and Stone started competing for the job in the spring of the 2004. The circumstances were less than ideal since NC State's quarterback position had been held down by the great Philip Rivers the four previous seasons. Rivers' shoes were substantial; he left as the ACC's all-time leader in passing and total offense.
Davis won the starting nod for the 2004 campaign and came back to do the same thing prior to this season under new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.
"Marcus was just grasping things and we changed the terminology," Amato said. "I think that held him back, where Jay picked that up a little quicker. Marcus is capable of doing a lot of things. Every time we tried to get him in last year he got hurt. It happened two weeks ago; he threw one pass, the guy hit him and he hyper-extended his knee. Hopefully, none of that will happen and this will be good for all of us."
Stone's 136 yards through the air against Wake on Saturday were a career high. In eight snaps against Clemson two weeks ago, he was 4-of-5 before leaving the game with an MCL sprain.
"If Marcus is being named the starter, that's a decision the coaches have to make and we trust the coaches," said senior receiver Brian Clark, who caught Stone's first scoring pass at Wake Forest. "I'm going to tell him today `let's go. Like coach Amato always says, play like you're a first stringer. If you're a second stringer and get moved up, play like you're a first stringer.'"
NC State has had only three starting quarterbacks since the fifth game (Oct. 12 vs. Alabama) of the 1996 season, a span of 110 games. Marcus Stone becomes the fourth when he makes his first career start against Southern Miss on Oct. 29.
Jamie Barnette
First start, Oct. 12, 1996 vs. Alabama
Started the last seven games of the 1996 season starting with Alabama, and all 11 games in 1997, all 12 in 1998, and all 12 in 1999. Started 42 in his career.
Philip Rivers
First start, Sept. 2, 2000 vs. Arkansas St.
Started all 12 in 2000, all 12 in 2001, all 14 in 2002, all 13 in 2003 Started 51 in his career
Jay Davis
First start, Sept. 4, 2004 vs. Richmond
Started all 11 in 2004, and first six of 2005
Started 17 in his career thus far.
Marcus Stone
First start will be Oct. 29, 2005 vs. Southern Miss.
Schedule Note: NC State's ACC game at Florida State on Saturday, November 5th will be a part of ABC's regional package starting at 3:30. This Saturday's noon kick off against Southern Miss. will be preceded by the annual Red/White basketball game at the RBC Center. Tip off is set for 10 a.m.
