The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/672211
36 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon (pictured) and redshirt freshman Jakobi Meyers combined to complete 25 of 38 passes for 237 yards with two scores while leading the Red team to a 47-0 win in the spring game. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN SHOWING OFF THE OFFENSE BY RYAN TICE N C State concluded its spring practices April 9 with the annual Kay Yow Spring Game. Due to numerous injuries, the team's plans to split up its top two quarterbacks and linebackers while drafting the rest of the scrimmage squads were scrapped. Instead, the first-stringers teamed with key reserves to beat up on the backups and walk-ons, 47-0; the Red team outgained its counterparts 444 yards to negative-two. The game wasn't competitive, but it was the public unveiling of the new offensive attack under first-year coordinator Eli Drinkwitz. At the risk of reading too much into a small sample, here are our takeaways from the contest: Quarterback Is In Good Hands All eyes were on the duo vying to replace the graduated Jacoby Brissett under center, and both redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon and redshirt freshman Jakobi Meyers impressed despite chilly weather conditions that featured wind gusts of more than 40 miles per hour. Although they are different — McClendon has an NFL-caliber arm, while Meyers showed off impressive speed and scrambling ability — both have the potential to make plays through the air and on the ground. McClendon completed his first six passes before finishing 13 of 18 through the air for 120 yards with a score. His completion percentage suffered from one drop, and he was not sacked despite working behind a patchwork offensive line. Meanwhile, Meyers went 12 of 20 for 117 yards with a touch- down, in addition to running 10 times for 40 yards and a score. In a live game situation, he probably would've gained even more yards on the ground, but his runs were cut short by defenders needing only to tag him. Most impressively, if the last possession of the first half — when his team took over with 22 seconds remaining — is thrown out, the rookie led his unit to four touchdowns and a field goal on six chances. Despite the point disparity — the Red team notched 14 points behind McClendon and 31 with Meyers at the helm — the Five Things Gleaned From NC State's Spring Game