The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/141892
Football 2013 "Shadrach has to become more consistent in everything. If he does that, he will be more consistent on the football field." ■ Running backs coach Des Kitchings on sophomore tailback Shadrach Thornton three-straight 100-yard games, against Wake Forest, Clemson and Boston College. "Shadrach has to become more consistent in everything," Kitchings said. "If he does that, he will be more consistent on the football field." Thornton has had trouble holding on to the football, and a fumbling issue will lead the coaches to look elsewhere. The Wolfpack will need help from a trio of freshman backs — Matt Dayes, Josh Mercer and Dakwa Nichols. Redshirt junior Milton Hall also has proven in the last two Kay Yow Spring Games that he can deliver if called upon. The running backs will run behind a duo of experienced fullbacks in redshirt NC State's Top Rusher The Past 10 Seasons YearName 2012 Shadrach Thornton 2011 James Washington 2010 Mustafa Greene 2009 Toney Baker 2008 Andre Brown 2007 Jamelle Eugene 2006 Toney Baker 2005 Andre Brown 2004 T.A. McClendon 2003 T.A. McClendon Yards 694 897 597 773 767 667 688 667 770 608 juniors Logan Winkles and Tyler Purvis. Neither player received a handoff last season, but Winkles caught 10 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in 2012, while Purvis has five grabs for 36 yards and a pair of scores in his career. Tight ends/fullbacks coach Eddie Faulkner said he could envision the fullback getting a carry in the new offense. "I've heard about that all the time, and I could see the fullback getting some touches," Faulkner said. "We'll get the ball in guys' hands if we think they can help us." Faulkner didn't get to work with Winkles, who was suspended for spring practice, but he went back to watch his video from last year. "Logan Winkles is the hammer," Faulkner said. "Having him back is going to do a lot in terms of physicality and leadership for our offense. It will give us more of an identity." Faulkner credited Purvis for taking advantage of being the top fullback in attendance. "He was maybe the biggest surprise on the entire offense," Faulkner said. "He has great hands. They said the thing he struggled with was his blocking, but that was one of his strengths this spring. He's going to play a lot of football and is going to help us." ■ ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too Unproven Starters *** The Wolfpack has the potential to put together an upper-echelon ACC running game behind redshirt junior Tony Creecy or sophomore Shadrach Thornton.The latter was outstanding down the stretch with three games of more than 100 yards out of four. However,Thornton had some ball security issues during the Kay Yow Spring Game. If Creecy gets the nod, he should be more explosive after battling some injuries last year. Redshirt juniors Logan Winkles and Tyler Purvis will battle for the fullback job. Experience *** NC State returns its top two running backs and fullbacks, and shouldn't have too many surprises. At least one of the three freshmen will have a chance to contribute right away — history has shown that it's hard to get through a season without injuries at running back. Former back Mustafa Greene took on a big role in 2011 before getting dismissed last year, which opened the door for Thornton to play. Depth *** NC State's depth should be fine unless there is a rash of injuries at running back. Creecy and Thornton have both proven they can make plays in the passing game and pick up blitzes in pass protection. The latter will be crucial for the three freshmen. Overall grade ** New offensive coordinator Matt Canada utilized three high-end running backs at Wisconsin last year, including secondround NFL Draft pick Montee Ball of the Denver Broncos. If the Wolfpack running backs become playmakers, look for Canada to be creative in finding ways to get them the ball. One of the wide receivers or running backs could also be utilized in getting the ball on jet sweeps or in Wildcat formations. Getting To Know: Tony Creecy In several interviews, new offensive coordinator Matt Canada has expressed that while the new offense will be a balanced one, the Wolfpack will run the ball. That is music to the running backs' ears, who are all well aware that Canada helped coach Wisconsin running back Montee Ball to the Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back) last year. "That makes me real happy," redshirt junior Tony Creecy said. "In previous years, the running backs probably had 400-500 carries all together, and I think it's going to be more now. Coach Canada is a great coach with a great offense. Coach [Dana] Bible was also a great coach, but he was more of a throwing coach. Coach Canada is more of a balanced and running guy." The one position group that has the same coach as last year is the running backs, who are still mentored by Des Kitchings. That is a rare change for the rushers, who were mentored by Elon head coach Jason Swepson, South Carolina running backs coach Everette Sands and Kitchings in the past three seasons. "Since I've been here, I've had a new coach every year, so to have the same coach in back-toback years has been good," Creecy noted. "Coach Kitchings is a great coach. He always makes us focus on detail and work hard. He never lets us get by with anything, so I'm glad they kept him." The backs were lacking in numbers this spring — there were only two scholarship tailbacks that participated — but Creecy is confident that he and rising sophomore Shadrach Thornton can shoulder the majority of the load, while a trio of freshman recruits get acclimated to the college game. "We're ready," he said. "With all of the hard work that [strength and conditioning] Coach [Jason] Veltkamp came in and made us do, and the extra work, we're going to be ready for this load. From the day he came in, we've worked tremendously hard. He will make us be great. "We've got a real good combination. Shadrach is a great running back; he runs the ball hard, has great vision. We possess the same things. It's going to be hard to stop us. When I come out and he comes in, or when he comes out and I come in, we never lose a step and it keeps going." The back noted that the expectation is to continue to work hard this summer. In addition to a new focus on the ground game, the spread offense will try to move at a breakneck pace. That means the players need to report this fall in optimal shape, according to Creecy. "We're not close to being conditioned to run the offense right now," he said this spring. "Once we keep plugging away at it with summer workouts and then fall camp, we'll be ready for it by the time we play Louisiana Tech. "It's a whole different offense. We're not huddling every play, sometimes we just keep going. I think it will work to our benefit. We're going to keep plugging away and, by the third or fourth quarter, I think we're going to be knocking them back from them being tired and us being in shape." — Ryan Tice 62 ■ the wolfpacker 60-62.RBs.indd 62 7/1/13 9:32 AM