The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/535299
42 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 BY JACEY ZEMBAL T his season, NC State offensive co- ordinator Matt Canada welcomes back six returning starters and a handful of other players with ex- tensive playing experience. In 2014, the Wolfpack averaged 30.2 points, passed for 204.0 yards and rushed for 204.5 yards per game en route to an 8-5 record, including a 34-27 win over Central Florida in the Bitcoin Bowl in St. Peters- burg, Fla. Fifth-year senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett established himself as a quality signal-caller, throwing for 2,606 yards with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions, and he also rushed 124 times for 529 yards and three scores. The Wolfpack also returns the one-two running back punch of senior Shadrach Thornton and junior Matt Dayes. The former rushed for a team-high 907 yards and nine touchdowns on 164 carries, and Dayes added 573 yards and eight scores on 104 carries in 2014. Dayes is also an accomplished receiver out of the backfield, posting 32 catches for 321 yards and five touchdowns last season. Thornton, Dayes and promising freshman running backs will run behind an offensive line that returns three starters and a fourth player with starting experience. Fifth-year senior left guard Joe Thuney, senior cen- ter Quinton Schooley and sophomore right guard Tony Adams anchor the interior. Fifth- year senior Alex Barr, who started eight games at the two guard spots last year, will slide out to right tackle this season. Redshirt junior tight end David J. Grin- nage was hampered in the spring by injury, but he is a factor in the passing game. He totaled 27 catches for 358 yards and five touchdowns last fall. Here are highlights from an interview with Canada about the NC State offense. What did you think of the offense this spring? "We are a young team that has some experience, so it's a unique situation. The spring was important for some guys to grow at certain sports." "The two tackle positions stood out the most. We had to find those guys. I thought both left tackle Tyler Jones and right tackle Alex Barr did a good job of playing in those roles. They stepped in and solidified that as we went through the spring. That was a positive for us there. "With the three inside — left guard Joe Thuney, center Quinton Schooley and right guard Tony Adams — it's good to have those guys back. They have played a lot of football. Tony was a freshman and is now a sophomore, but he played a lot last year with significant time. That is good for us. We have good depth there. "At tight end, Benson Browne had a good spring as far as making some strides. David J. Grinnage was out, and Cole Cook had as good a spring as anybody. He is such a solid player for us. OFFENSE Q&A MULTIPLE WEAPONS Coordinator Matt Canada Discusses This Year's Offensive Attack Last year, Canada orchestrated a balanced attack that produced 204.5 rushing yards and 204.0 passing yards per game. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN