The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1000643
50 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 BY JACEY ZEMBAL T he NC State offense lost some key players, but the Wolfpack still ex- pects to be explosive next fall. NC State averaged 32.2 points (40th nationally), 176.4 rushing yards (50th) and 275.4 passing yards per game (29th) en route to last year's 9-4 mark. The Wolfpack ran the ball 496 times and passed it 485, and only had 13 turnovers (seven fumbles and six interceptions; tied for eighth nationally). Offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz knows his attack will be slightly different without stars such as H-back Jaylen Samu- els and running back Nyheim Hines, but other players are ready for expanded roles. How do you handle having to replace some key cogs who moved on to the NFL? "There are two things. One, we have a system in place. Two, it's next man up in our system. You always play to your play- ers' strengths. This group's strengths may be a little different. "You don't have a player like J-Sam or like Nyheim, but you put players in those positions and maybe the offense tilts in a different direction toward the Kelvins [Har- mon], Stephs [Louis] and Jakobis [Mey- ers], and the offensive line, whatever it might be." You notice any changes in players' ap- proach, since they have a big opportu- nity ahead of them? "There are bigger eyes and more hunger. It's a little bit of 'All right, it's my oppor- tunity.' You are always excited to see that." How have you seen sixth-year senior quarterback Ryan Finley improve since inheriting him at Boise State? "One of Ryan's greatest attributes is he is a constant learner. He's trying to always find ways to improve. He works at his game, and he loves football, loves compet- ing and loves being the best quarterback. "That maturity of never settling and be- ing in that mindset of there are always ways I can improve — that is the biggest thing that I've seen. His mindset of improv- ing is constant. "His toughness in the pocket, to me, is very good. He sits in there, takes some hits and makes some throws. His accuracy has continually improved. Those were the strides that I noticed the most." You have mentioned in the past that you would like to see Finley improve as a runner. How has he done that? "Ryan's one of these sneaky runners that takes what the defense gives him, but he doesn't fall very gracefully and he always looks like he's scared of getting hit. He does do a good job of getting positive yard- age in the run game. I just wish he would finish runs more physical. "It's a fine line for your quarterback not to take unnecessary hits, but when we need that extra two yards go get it for us. "There's a couple of things that we've watched on tape where we think he can be better in knowing those situations." What kind of chemistry does Finley have with returning starting wide receiv- ers Kelvin Harmon, Steph Louis and Jakobi Meyers? "I didn't realize this until this past spring Locked And Loaded Offensive Coordinator Eli Drinkwitz Is Excited To Build Around The Talents Of Quarterback Ryan Finley Drinkwitz will have mentored former Boise State transfer quarterback Ryan Finley the last four years of his college career (three in Raleigh), and before that Drinkwtiz was on the Boise State staff as the tight ends coach in 2014. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN OFFENSE Q&A