North Carolina State University Athletics
Thursday Football Notebook
9/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 4, 2014
A Good START
Jacoby Brissett’s long-awaited first start for the Wolfpack ended up being a successful one, as he engineered two four quarterback touchdown drives to give the Pack a 24-23 victory. On those two drives, the hot-handed junior completed 14 of his 16 throws for 136 yards and two scores.
For the game, Brissett completed .700 of his throws (28-40), connecting on three touchdowns and throwing just one pick. His efficiency mark for the game was the second best for an NC State QB in his first career start since the turn of the century - dating back to Philip Rivers’ first start in 2000. That excludes Brandon Mitchell who posted a phenomenal mark last season because he completed all three of his passes before exiting the game with an injury.
Close AND the Cigar
Last season, the Wolfpack was in striking distance in the fourth quarter in six of it’s nine losses, yet was unable to close the gap. Hopefully, the Georgia Southern contest is a portent that the team has the confidence and ability to close out games. In the season opener, State entered the fourth quarter down 10, but put together 99- and 75-yard touchdown drives to seal the victory.
Ag Day Celebration
For a second straight year, NC State Athletics and its multimedia rights partner, Wolfpack Sports Properties, will pay tribute to agriculture in the state of North Carolina by hosting “Ag Day” festivities on Friday and Saturday.
Ag Day is dedicated to recognizing North Carolina’s agriculture/agribusiness industry and celebrating those who work hard to improve the state’s health and economy. The event is anchored by the NC State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS).
New this year will be an endowed Ag Day scholarship, presented to an undergraduate CALS student, to complement the growing festivities and sponsorship support in the event’s second year.
Pack Pups Play
NC State had the third-highest percentage of underclassmen on the first day of fall camp of any team in the nation. The Wolfpack had the second-highest number of freshmen (52) on its camp roster (Pitt has 53).
Dave Doeren’s squad has just 33 juniors and seniors - the lowest number of upperclassmen for the Wolfpack since 1995.
In the season opener, 10 true freshmen saw action for the Wolfpack, along with five redshirt freshmen. Here’s a look at the rookies who saw their first collegiate action against Georgia Southern:
True Freshmen
Shawn Boone, S - Made two tackles on special teams
Bradley Chubb, LB - Played on special teams
Cole Cook, TE - Played nine snaps at TE
B.J. Hill, DT - Played 25 snaps, one assisted tackle
Bo Hines, WR - Started, leading receiver (9-85)
Stephen Louis, WR - Had one catch for nine yards in 10 snaps
Airius Moore, LB - Had two tackles, including one TFL
Germaine Pratt, FS - Saw action on special teams
Jaylen Samuels, FB/TE - 2 plays, 42 yard catch, eight yard rush
Kentavius Street, DE - Two assisted tackles, 21 snaps
Redshirt Freshmen
Jerod Fernandez, LB - Started at MLB, made 8 tackles
Kenton Gibbs, DT - Played 8 snaps
Malcolm Means, CB - Saw action on special teams
Lucas Wilson, TE - Saw action on special teams
Josh Jones, S - Started at safety, 22 snaps
Happy Dayes
Prior to the season opener, the Wolfpack coaching staff raved about the fall camp performance of running back Matt Dayes. That hard work in camp translated to a successful start to his sophomore campaign, as Dayes tallied 104 all-purpose yards and scored the game-winning touchdown.
Dayes had six rushes for 34 yards (a 5.7 yds/carry mark) and six receptions for another 70 yards, including the 35-yard game-winner.
The Weston, Fla. native scored three TDs in the 2013 season opener.
Sensational Sophomores
All three of the Wolfpack’s touchdowns in the season opener were scored by sophomores. Running back Matt Dayes stretched the game-winner across the goalline in the fourth quarter, while wideout Bra’Lon Cherry had six and 11-yard scoring grabs.
Super Sade
Senior kicker Niklas Sade has a chance to become the leading scorer in NC State history, surpassing NFF Hall of Famer Ted Brown, who scored 312 points from 1975-78.
Sade has scored 256 points in his career, a mark which ties for third in school history and is one point from second place. He needs 56 points to tie Brown’s school mark.
Sade has already set one NC State career record with 124 career PATs - the 18th-best mark in ACC history. With 44 career field goals, he is seven shy of tying Mike Cofer’s school mark.
A Crisp Start
Senior offensive tackle Rob Crisp is one of two Pack seniors who were granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA and is back on the field for NC State this season. Crisp played in two games last year before being sidelined by a concussion and did not return to the field in 2013. He rejoined the team in January and was back in the starting lineup at the beginning of fall camp.
The starter at left tackle, Crisp has played in 37 career games, starting 14
Versa-THUNEY-ty
The reinsertion of Rob Crisp in the Wolfpack lineup means that Joe Thuney (a junior in eligibility who has already graduated) is now back to his true position of guard.
A versatile lineman, Thuney started contests at right tackle, right guard and left tackle in 2013 and played center in 2013 spring drills.
4-2-5
It’s not just the area code for Seattle, the town with the NFL team including three former Wolfpack players that won Super Bowl XLVIII. It’s also the defense that NC State has installed for the 2014 season. It’s the first time in at least 40 years that the Pack has used that particular version as its base defense.
Heat Precautions in Place for ODU Contest
Game 2: NC State Wolfpack vs. Old Dominion Monarchs
September 6, 2014 • 6 p.m. • ESPN3
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (57,583)
A Good START
Jacoby Brissett’s long-awaited first start for the Wolfpack ended up being a successful one, as he engineered two four quarterback touchdown drives to give the Pack a 24-23 victory. On those two drives, the hot-handed junior completed 14 of his 16 throws for 136 yards and two scores.
For the game, Brissett completed .700 of his throws (28-40), connecting on three touchdowns and throwing just one pick. His efficiency mark for the game was the second best for an NC State QB in his first career start since the turn of the century - dating back to Philip Rivers’ first start in 2000. That excludes Brandon Mitchell who posted a phenomenal mark last season because he completed all three of his passes before exiting the game with an injury.
Close AND the Cigar
Last season, the Wolfpack was in striking distance in the fourth quarter in six of it’s nine losses, yet was unable to close the gap. Hopefully, the Georgia Southern contest is a portent that the team has the confidence and ability to close out games. In the season opener, State entered the fourth quarter down 10, but put together 99- and 75-yard touchdown drives to seal the victory.
Ag Day Celebration
For a second straight year, NC State Athletics and its multimedia rights partner, Wolfpack Sports Properties, will pay tribute to agriculture in the state of North Carolina by hosting “Ag Day” festivities on Friday and Saturday.
Ag Day is dedicated to recognizing North Carolina’s agriculture/agribusiness industry and celebrating those who work hard to improve the state’s health and economy. The event is anchored by the NC State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS).
New this year will be an endowed Ag Day scholarship, presented to an undergraduate CALS student, to complement the growing festivities and sponsorship support in the event’s second year.
Pack Pups Play
NC State had the third-highest percentage of underclassmen on the first day of fall camp of any team in the nation. The Wolfpack had the second-highest number of freshmen (52) on its camp roster (Pitt has 53).
Dave Doeren’s squad has just 33 juniors and seniors - the lowest number of upperclassmen for the Wolfpack since 1995.
In the season opener, 10 true freshmen saw action for the Wolfpack, along with five redshirt freshmen. Here’s a look at the rookies who saw their first collegiate action against Georgia Southern:
True Freshmen
Shawn Boone, S - Made two tackles on special teams
Bradley Chubb, LB - Played on special teams
Cole Cook, TE - Played nine snaps at TE
B.J. Hill, DT - Played 25 snaps, one assisted tackle
Bo Hines, WR - Started, leading receiver (9-85)
Stephen Louis, WR - Had one catch for nine yards in 10 snaps
Airius Moore, LB - Had two tackles, including one TFL
Germaine Pratt, FS - Saw action on special teams
Jaylen Samuels, FB/TE - 2 plays, 42 yard catch, eight yard rush
Kentavius Street, DE - Two assisted tackles, 21 snaps
Redshirt Freshmen
Jerod Fernandez, LB - Started at MLB, made 8 tackles
Kenton Gibbs, DT - Played 8 snaps
Malcolm Means, CB - Saw action on special teams
Lucas Wilson, TE - Saw action on special teams
Josh Jones, S - Started at safety, 22 snaps
Happy Dayes
Prior to the season opener, the Wolfpack coaching staff raved about the fall camp performance of running back Matt Dayes. That hard work in camp translated to a successful start to his sophomore campaign, as Dayes tallied 104 all-purpose yards and scored the game-winning touchdown.
Dayes had six rushes for 34 yards (a 5.7 yds/carry mark) and six receptions for another 70 yards, including the 35-yard game-winner.
The Weston, Fla. native scored three TDs in the 2013 season opener.
Sensational Sophomores
All three of the Wolfpack’s touchdowns in the season opener were scored by sophomores. Running back Matt Dayes stretched the game-winner across the goalline in the fourth quarter, while wideout Bra’Lon Cherry had six and 11-yard scoring grabs.
Super Sade
Senior kicker Niklas Sade has a chance to become the leading scorer in NC State history, surpassing NFF Hall of Famer Ted Brown, who scored 312 points from 1975-78.
Sade has scored 256 points in his career, a mark which ties for third in school history and is one point from second place. He needs 56 points to tie Brown’s school mark.
Sade has already set one NC State career record with 124 career PATs - the 18th-best mark in ACC history. With 44 career field goals, he is seven shy of tying Mike Cofer’s school mark.
A Crisp Start
Senior offensive tackle Rob Crisp is one of two Pack seniors who were granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA and is back on the field for NC State this season. Crisp played in two games last year before being sidelined by a concussion and did not return to the field in 2013. He rejoined the team in January and was back in the starting lineup at the beginning of fall camp.
The starter at left tackle, Crisp has played in 37 career games, starting 14
Versa-THUNEY-ty
The reinsertion of Rob Crisp in the Wolfpack lineup means that Joe Thuney (a junior in eligibility who has already graduated) is now back to his true position of guard.
A versatile lineman, Thuney started contests at right tackle, right guard and left tackle in 2013 and played center in 2013 spring drills.
4-2-5
It’s not just the area code for Seattle, the town with the NFL team including three former Wolfpack players that won Super Bowl XLVIII. It’s also the defense that NC State has installed for the 2014 season. It’s the first time in at least 40 years that the Pack has used that particular version as its base defense.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballCoach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24