The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1113082
44 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL E arly enrollee freshman running back Zon- ovan Knight was a big play waiting to happen at Bailey (N.C.) Southern Nash High. Some things don't change. Knight was arguably the breakout star in the Kay Yow Spring Game April 6 at Carter- Finley Stadium. He ripped off a 73-yard touchdown run in the second half to help spark the NCSU offense. He finished with a game-high 139 rushing yards and the touchdown on 17 car- ries, an average of 8.2 yards per attempt. "I just saw nothing but grass," Knight said of his scoring scamper. The Rivals.com four-star prospect rushed 124 times for 2,054 yards and 26 touchdowns in 11 games played his senior year last fall before enrolling early at NC State. "We are excited about what he brings to the run game," head coach Dave Doeren said. "It's fun to see these young players who just got here get out and play. "The only way you get them ready for games is game-like situations." The head coach only expects Knight to get even better and continue to take advantage of his explosiveness. "He's smart, he's hungry, and he just needs to get in better shape," Doeren explained. "He missed some practices and had a sprained ankle." NC State returns sophomore Ricky Per- son Jr. and redshirt freshman Trent Pennix at running back, but has been clamoring for big-play speed, similar to what Nyheim Hines provided in 2017. Hines had legitimate sprinter speed and was even on the Wolfpack track and field team. Knight might not have blistering times on the track, but he knows how to break away on the football field. "In the 100 or 200, I was literally getting caught in high school," Knight said. "In football, when I break free, nobody can catch me. I don't know how it works, but it is how it works." Knight also has some lofty goals for his freshman year. "I think we can be great and have a chance to win the ACC," he said. "The goal is to win a national championship." Knight's performance complemented the various NCSU quarterbacks, who aired it out during the spring game. The five signal- callers combined to go 44-of-84 passing for 472 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Redshirt sophomore Matthew McKay led the way by completing 14 of 24 throws for 182 yards with a touchdown, and he added four carries for 28 yards and a score. Redshirt junior wide receiver C.J. Riley caught six passes for 113 yards, and red- shirt freshman wideout Devin Carter added six receptions for 60 yards. Sophomore kicker Christopher Dunn made a 53-yard field goal, while redshirt sophomore Trenton Gill drilled a 45-yarder. Gill split punting duties with redshirt soph- omore Mackenzie Morgan. NC State elected to hold out the pro- jected first-string offensive line due to in- jures — fifth-year senior left tackle Tyrone WOLFPACK FOOTBALL Freshman Running Back Zonovan Knight Shines In Kay Yow Spring Knight rushed 17 times for a game-high 139 yards (8.2 yards per carry) and had a 73-yard touch- down run in his first action for the Wolfpack this spring. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 2019 NC State Schedule Date Opponent Aug. 31 East Carolina Sept. 7 Western Carolina Sept. 14 at West Virginia Sept. 21 Ball State Sept. 28 at Florida State Oct. 10* Syracuse Oct. 19 at Boston College Nov. 2 at Wake Forest Nov. 9 Clemson Nov. 16 Louisville Nov. 21* at Georgia Tech Nov. 30 North Carolina * Thursday night game