North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: Daniel Evans Looking to Improve
9/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
BY TIM PEELER
But the hometown hero from
“I could do without [the hype], to be honest with you,” Evans said Thursday morning, in his first interview since leading the Wolfpack on a last-minute, 72-yard drive in Saturday's 17-15 victory over No. 20 Boston College at Carter-Finley Stadium. “It doesn’t affect me one way or the other. I am just a more private person.”
As the son of former Wolfpack quarterback, All-America punter and current color analyst on the Wolfpack Radio Network Johnny Evans, the young player knew he had big shoes to fill, but he never expected to get so much attention for being successful at it.
Even his sister, Katherine, wrote something nice about him in a column that appeared Wednesday’s edition of “The Pilot.” How many times does that happen?
Right now, however, Evans is concentrating on fixing the mistakes he made in his first start and getting ready for his next one, another nationally televised contest at Carter-Finley against
“I had a whole lot of mistakes,” Evans said. “My footwork wasn’t all that great. I felt good in the pocket, but looking over my footwork, I skipped over some people in my reads, I didn’t hit my check-downs like I should have.
“Hopefully, I can work on that this week. I am trying to stay after practice and work with [offensive coordinator Marc] Trestman and get that worked out.”
Evans admits its been a whirlwind since he guided the Wolfpack on the 38-second drive that ended when he hit John Dunlap with a 34-yard touchdown pass with just 8.5 seconds remaining in State’s ACC opener.
He went through a wide-range of emotions, sharing time with former starter Marcus Stone and brother Andrew Evans on the sidelines, before going into the jubilant lockerroom, then meeting the media.
He didn’t go home and watch himself on ESPN’s SportsCenter, though he did get a copy of the game from one of the team’s video coordinators, fast-forward to the end and watch the final play.
But only once. Then he went to bed.
Now, he’s focused on the Seminoles.
“They are big and fast and tough, and different from
“It’s going to be a different game. But we have great receivers who can get behind their great defensive backs. I am sure we will be able to take our shots where we can.”
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
