North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack's Wilson is ACC's First-Team Quarterback
12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State’s Russell Wilson is the first freshman since 1972 (when freshmen were first eligible) to be named the first-team All-ACC quarterback. He is the seventh Wolfpack quarterback ever to earn first-team all-league honors.
In addition to Wilson, Willie Young, Nate Irving and T.J. Graham each picked up honorable mention All-ACC accolades.
“Russell has had a remarkable year and we couldn’t be any prouder of him for what he has accomplished for himself and for our football team,” said head coach Tom O’Brien. “This honor is a testament to how he came back from injuries twice this season and has become such a great leader at such a young age. He has not only been efficient in handling the duties of a quarterback, but has leadership skills that our team believes in and it’s evident as soon as he walks into the huddle. He is very deserving of this honor, not only because of the statistics that he’s posted, but because of the type of young man that he is.”
Wilson’s road to being the league’s best hasn’t been an easy one. In preseason camp, he was one of five quarterbacks vying for the starting job. As he fought for the position, he dealt with the illness of his father, who suffered a stroke in early August. Despite the outside stresses, he earned the nod for the season opener at South Carolina, but suffered a concussion in the first half of that game, his first collegiate contest, and was unable to play behind center the next game. His first full game back was a tough road contest at Clemson, then he led the Pack to victory in overtime against 15th-ranked East Carolina but suffered another injury late in the contest and missed the next game against South Florida.
The second half of the season, however, has been a different story, as a healthy and more experienced Wilson has led the Wolfpack to four straight wins and bowl eligibility. Since the Clemson game, he has thrown 226 passes without an interception - the nation’s longest active streak and a school record.
Here’s a look at some of Wilson’s numbers in 2008:
Leads the ACC in points responsible for - 12.40 per game.
Leads the ACC in passing efficiency (134.3).
Leads the ACC in total offense (211.1).
Leads the ACC with 16 touchdowns passes.
Has thrown only one interception all season, the fewest among all FBS quarterbacks ranked in the NCAA passing categories.
Has 226 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, the longest active streak in the nation and a school record.
Named ACC Offensive Back of the Week (9/22) and Rookie of the Week (10/17 & 12/1).
Boasts 1,769 passing yards, second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 3,054)
Has completed 139 passes, second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 237)
His 252 pass attempts rank second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 441)
Has thrown for 16 TD passes, the second-best mark ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 25).
His 2,111 yards of total offense is the second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 2,969)
Responsible for 20 touchdowns (16 passing, four rushing), second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 27)
In addition to Wilson, Willie Young, Nate Irving and T.J. Graham each picked up honorable mention All-ACC accolades.
“Russell has had a remarkable year and we couldn’t be any prouder of him for what he has accomplished for himself and for our football team,” said head coach Tom O’Brien. “This honor is a testament to how he came back from injuries twice this season and has become such a great leader at such a young age. He has not only been efficient in handling the duties of a quarterback, but has leadership skills that our team believes in and it’s evident as soon as he walks into the huddle. He is very deserving of this honor, not only because of the statistics that he’s posted, but because of the type of young man that he is.”
Wilson’s road to being the league’s best hasn’t been an easy one. In preseason camp, he was one of five quarterbacks vying for the starting job. As he fought for the position, he dealt with the illness of his father, who suffered a stroke in early August. Despite the outside stresses, he earned the nod for the season opener at South Carolina, but suffered a concussion in the first half of that game, his first collegiate contest, and was unable to play behind center the next game. His first full game back was a tough road contest at Clemson, then he led the Pack to victory in overtime against 15th-ranked East Carolina but suffered another injury late in the contest and missed the next game against South Florida.
The second half of the season, however, has been a different story, as a healthy and more experienced Wilson has led the Wolfpack to four straight wins and bowl eligibility. Since the Clemson game, he has thrown 226 passes without an interception - the nation’s longest active streak and a school record.
Here’s a look at some of Wilson’s numbers in 2008:
Leads the ACC in points responsible for - 12.40 per game.
Leads the ACC in passing efficiency (134.3).
Leads the ACC in total offense (211.1).
Leads the ACC with 16 touchdowns passes.
Has thrown only one interception all season, the fewest among all FBS quarterbacks ranked in the NCAA passing categories.
Has 226 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, the longest active streak in the nation and a school record.
Named ACC Offensive Back of the Week (9/22) and Rookie of the Week (10/17 & 12/1).
Boasts 1,769 passing yards, second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 3,054)
Has completed 139 passes, second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 237)
His 252 pass attempts rank second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 441)
Has thrown for 16 TD passes, the second-best mark ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 25).
His 2,111 yards of total offense is the second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 2,969)
Responsible for 20 touchdowns (16 passing, four rushing), second-best ever by a Wolfpack freshman (Philip Rivers - 27)
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