North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: Stone Maturing as a Leader
12/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 29, 2005
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH -- Over the last two weeks, Marcus Stone has had his first full training camp as NC State's starting quarterback.
He's had plenty of time to get comfortable in the role, of course, since he started the Wolfpack's final five games of the 2005 season, leading the team to a 4-1 record and putting them in position to participate in Saturday's Meineke Car Care Bowl. Kickoff for the game against South Florida is at 11 a.m. at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium.
But the drills leading up to the game have been more like spring practice, in which coaches stress fundamentals, work on new wrinkles and install much of the playbook. It's a good time for Stone to take charge of the offense, as he competes in all repetitions with the first team.
"My confidence improved every week as we played, just by being in there and getting the reps in practice," Stone said. "Now, the more reps I get, the more my confidence goes up.
"Being out here, working on my game and working on fundamentals during these pre-bowl practices have helped my confidence too. It's definitely important for me as a young quarterback to get these reps against a great defense."
Stone took over the starting position against Southern Mississippi. His numbers haven't been glossy - the Wolfpack relied more on its rushing attack, behind freshman tailback Andre Brown - but he has been steady enough to get the job done. He has completed 50 of 103 passes for 658 yards as a starter, with four touchdown passes and five interceptions.
"His stats, throwing-wise, may not be super, super good, but he doesn't make many mistakes," said Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato. "Since that first game, he has made very few mistakes and that is why we have been on this roll."
Amato has also seen Stone mature rapidly in his role as a leader.
"He feels more at ease and he has accepted the responsibility of being the starting quarterback, knowing that he doesn't have to look over his shoulder. Some of his mannerisms have actually reminded me a little bit of Philip Rivers.
"I remember when Marcus was being redshirted, I told him `Stand next to Philip and learn everything you can: how he operates in the huddle and outside of the huddle.' I think he is starting to take control as a real field general."
First-year offensive coordinator Marc Trestman has also begun to expand the Wolfpack's offensive package, which was scaled back midway through the season, to include a bigger variety of plays.
"We have expanded a little bit," Trestman said. "We are still not as evolved as we were during the first five or six games with Jay (Davis) as the starting quarterback," Trestman said. "But part of that has to do with the fact that we are working with younger running backs too.
"All-in-all, we are trying to do the right things offensively to play to our strengths on defense and special teams. We are doing a pretty good job of not turning the ball over and the bottom line is, if we protect the ball, we are going to be in most games, which is what we have done here lately."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
