North Carolina State University Athletics
Finley Excels on Game Day as Starting QB
9/2/2016 9:33:00 AM | Football
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RALEIGH, N.C. - Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley has experience, just like Jacoby Brissett did when he took over as NC State's starter two years ago.
Still, only early this week the NC State coaching staff determined he would be behind the center on the Wolfpack's first possession in Thursday night's season opener against William & Mary, a 48-14 victory to kick off the 50th anniversary season of Carter-Finley Stadium.
While Finley's arrival in Raleigh has been a bit of a whirlwind, his battle with fellow redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon has been long and drawn out through the summer and preseason camp. Head coach Dave Doeren announced his intentions to play them both in the opener to see how they reacted under the lights.
And Finley excelled.
"The lights didn't faze him at all," Doeren said. "He wasn't nervous at all. He's got command. He did all the things (offensive coordinator) Eli (Drinkwitz) asked him to do."
Finley showed no signs of nerves running the new offense installed by his old coach, Drinkwitz, both of whom were at Boise State last season. Finley started the Broncos' first three games before suffering a season-ending injury, graduated early and followed Drinkwitz to Raleigh. He recently received a medical hardship that added an extra year of eligibility.
So he's got a past and a three-season future.
He was near perfect in the first half, completing his first nine passes and leading the Pack to touchdowns on his first four possessions. McClendon, meanwhile, threw an early interception before returning in the second half.
Finley was so confident that in the third quarter, he checked off on a called play on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line and tried to run a quarterback sneak.
"I got a little greedy," he admitted.
It was a rare mistake, however, on a night where the offense rolled up 521 yards to William & Mary's 168. And while he took the blame for his mistake, Finley was also eager to give credit to his teammates for the comfortable win.
"I'm just a game manager out there, honestly," said Finley, who completed 17 of 21 passes for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "I get others the ball and let them do what they can. I just try to manage the game."
For all the talk of the preseason about the quarterback battle, it was the rushing attack of senior Matthew Dayes and junior Jaylen Samuels that balanced out the offense and took pressure off both quarterbacks. They combined to score five touchdowns on the night, while Dayes had 138 yards on the ground, the most for a Wolfpack player in a season opener since Ray Robinson had 139 in 2000.
And if either of the Wolfpack's quarterbacks are going to succeed this season, they will likely rely on their veteran backfield. That's been a pretty good formula for success over the years.
Freshman Dave Buckey had junior Willie Burden. Platoon quarterbacks Terry Jordan and Geoff Bender had four-year starter Anthony Barbour. Freshman Jamie Barnette had junior Tremayne Stephens. Freshman Philip Rivers had junior Robinson. Freshman Russell Wilson had senior Andre Brown. And Brissett had junior Shadrach Thornton.
Having experience in the backfield really does make things easier for a first-time quarterback.
"Any time you can run the football, it creates different things in our passing game," Doeren said. "There were a lot of ways we were able to run the ball. We got it outside on some pitch plays. We were able to run inside with power.
"Anytime you can have a balanced offense, it's a lot easier for the quarterback than to stand out there with a target on your back, with the defense knowing you are going to pass the ball."
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RALEIGH, N.C. - Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Finley has experience, just like Jacoby Brissett did when he took over as NC State's starter two years ago.
Still, only early this week the NC State coaching staff determined he would be behind the center on the Wolfpack's first possession in Thursday night's season opener against William & Mary, a 48-14 victory to kick off the 50th anniversary season of Carter-Finley Stadium.
While Finley's arrival in Raleigh has been a bit of a whirlwind, his battle with fellow redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon has been long and drawn out through the summer and preseason camp. Head coach Dave Doeren announced his intentions to play them both in the opener to see how they reacted under the lights.
And Finley excelled.
"The lights didn't faze him at all," Doeren said. "He wasn't nervous at all. He's got command. He did all the things (offensive coordinator) Eli (Drinkwitz) asked him to do."
Keys to last night's ?? ?? victoryhttps://t.co/a6TX8iVrzc
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 2, 2016
Finley showed no signs of nerves running the new offense installed by his old coach, Drinkwitz, both of whom were at Boise State last season. Finley started the Broncos' first three games before suffering a season-ending injury, graduated early and followed Drinkwitz to Raleigh. He recently received a medical hardship that added an extra year of eligibility.
So he's got a past and a three-season future.
He was near perfect in the first half, completing his first nine passes and leading the Pack to touchdowns on his first four possessions. McClendon, meanwhile, threw an early interception before returning in the second half.
Finley was so confident that in the third quarter, he checked off on a called play on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line and tried to run a quarterback sneak.
"I got a little greedy," he admitted.
It was a rare mistake, however, on a night where the offense rolled up 521 yards to William & Mary's 168. And while he took the blame for his mistake, Finley was also eager to give credit to his teammates for the comfortable win.
"I'm just a game manager out there, honestly," said Finley, who completed 17 of 21 passes for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "I get others the ball and let them do what they can. I just try to manage the game."
For all the talk of the preseason about the quarterback battle, it was the rushing attack of senior Matthew Dayes and junior Jaylen Samuels that balanced out the offense and took pressure off both quarterbacks. They combined to score five touchdowns on the night, while Dayes had 138 yards on the ground, the most for a Wolfpack player in a season opener since Ray Robinson had 139 in 2000.
And if either of the Wolfpack's quarterbacks are going to succeed this season, they will likely rely on their veteran backfield. That's been a pretty good formula for success over the years.
Freshman Dave Buckey had junior Willie Burden. Platoon quarterbacks Terry Jordan and Geoff Bender had four-year starter Anthony Barbour. Freshman Jamie Barnette had junior Tremayne Stephens. Freshman Philip Rivers had junior Robinson. Freshman Russell Wilson had senior Andre Brown. And Brissett had junior Shadrach Thornton.
Having experience in the backfield really does make things easier for a first-time quarterback.
"Any time you can run the football, it creates different things in our passing game," Doeren said. "There were a lot of ways we were able to run the ball. We got it outside on some pitch plays. We were able to run inside with power.
"Anytime you can have a balanced offense, it's a lot easier for the quarterback than to stand out there with a target on your back, with the defense knowing you are going to pass the ball."
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