The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527657
10 ■ THE WOLFPACKER T R A C K I N G THE THE PACK PACK Behind Freshman CJ Bailey, Wolfpack Continues To Battle BY ETHAN MCDOWELL C J Bailey officially burned his redshirt when he took the field just a few drives into NC State's Oct. 5 matchup with Wake Forest. For the third time this season, he assumed the Wolfpack's quar- terback duties in the middle of a game. The true freshman played 6 snaps against Tennessee in the waning moments of that game. Then he filled in for an injured Grayson McCall against Louisiana Tech. NC State trailed by 11 points at halftime of that game, but Bailey led the Wolfpack to a 30-20 comeback win. "I had to play for Grayson and the team," he said afterward. Bailey's first career start was in Clemson's sold-out Death Valley. The Pack struggled in a 59-35 loss but bounced back with a 24-17 victory over Northern Illinois the following week in which Bailey played from start to finish. McCall returned to action against Wake Forest. The graduate trans- fer had 3 completions for 42 yards on the Pack's opening possession and was straining to pick up a first down on a scramble when he took a huge hit that knocked his helmet off and caused him to be carted off the field — an emotional moment at Carter-Finley Stadium that Dave Doeren described as the scariest of his coaching career. Bailey was under center once again with limited practice reps to lean on. He recorded season highs in passing yards (272), touchdowns (2) and completions (28 in 42 attempts) in a heartbreaking 34-30 loss to the Demon Deacons. The freshman threw the game-sealing interception, but he also put the team in position to win. "I was proud of him," Doeren said. McCall was released from the hospital that evening and was in the concussion protocol as of Oct. 7. He was in "good spirits," Doeren said at his weekly news conference two days after the game. For now, Bailey will be in the starting spotlight, looking to help NC State improve on its 3-3 start to the season. The Pack did not plan on the freshman starting any games this year, but he will hold that re- sponsibility for an unknown length of time. Doeren did not rule out a possible return by McCall later this year. The Wolfpack has asked a lot from Bailey during the past month. He's not immune to freshman mistakes, having thrown 3 interceptions so far, but the first-year quarterback has been up to the challenge of his new role. "He has handled adversity very well," Doeren said. "He's got great energy and enthusiasm and belief in himself. He