The Wolfpacker

May 2016 Issue

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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40 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Kicking Battle On The Horizon Frasier wasn't the only one with a mem- orable debut in front of the NC State faith- ful. Graduate transfer Connor Haskins, who came from UNC Pembroke prior to the start of the spring semester, made all five extra points he attempted and drained a 42-yard field goal into the stiff wind. There wasn't much of a kicking battle this spring — incumbent sophomore Kyle Bambard suffered an injury early on — but there was no shortage of high-pressure situ- ations facing Haskins. Doeren put the bur- den on him in his first spring scrimmage, telling the team they would be running unless the import made a pair of "game- winning" field goals, which he did. Despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions, Haskins continued to convert on his biggest stage in the spring game. His 42-yarder was five yards further than Bambard's longest make last year, and he made 72 percent of the 53 field goals he at- tempted at his old school with a long of 50. Haskins isn't the only incoming talent already proven on the college level. South Alabama graduate transfer Joseph Scelfo will reportedly join the team in the sum- mer after he graduates. The 2015 first-team All-Sun Belt center checks in at 6-1, 295 pounds and has started 25 games in his ca- reer — the rest of the NCSU line combines for just 38 starts. We Haven't Seen Anything Yet When the starters and key reserves beat up on the deep backups by such a wide margin, you can't read too much into it. But keep in mind that was an offense operating without, arguably, its top three players heading into the fall (Dayes, Samu- els and junior offensive guard Tony Ad- ams), its two most experienced linemen (Adams and redshirt sophomore tackle Will Richardson) and its most proven wideout (senior Jumichael Ramos). It wasn't an overly vanilla game plan, but it also was one determined not to reveal too much. Here's what we do know about the offense: it's a fast-paced spread that did not huddle much in the game. It seemed to be more vertical than last year's attack while still utilizing some concepts that will look familiar to Pack fans, albeit with a few tweaks (for example: the jet sweeps were still present, but looked a little different). Here's another good bet: what fans saw at Carter-Finley was just an appetizer for the main course that will be served starting Sept. 1. ■ Three Remaining Questions 1. Who wins the QB job? NC State doesn't seem like they are in any hurry to name a starting quarterback, and head coach Dave Doeren has even hinted that both signal-callers will play. Their complimentary skill sets make that situation plausible. However, this competition will go at least into fall camp, and it could continue right until the week of the first game. The good news is that both appear capable and should have a bevy of proven weapons once everyone gets healthy. 2. Has the defense grown up? The last couple of years have seen the defense made up largely of under- classmen with a few contributing seniors mixed in. In Doeren's first three seasons on campus, his starting defense in the final game of the year has never featured more than seven upperclassmen; each of the last two years it has included three seniors and three juniors. This season, that will finally change. It's easy to envision a scenario where there are still only a few seniors in the starting unit, but now they will be supplemented by a large contingent of juniors — maybe exclusively. The mix of experienced upperclassmen should help the Pack cut down on mental lapses that led to costly penalties and big plays last year. The teams were not fair in the spring game, but the top unit did exactly what one would hope to see in such a situation — completely shut down their overmatched opponent, allowing a net of minus-two yards with a long gain of 11 yards. 3. How does the OL shake out? The offensive line is the biggest question mark on the team, and this might also be a position battle that goes down to the wire. As mentioned above, the potential addition of South Alabama fifth-year senior center Joseph Scelfo as a post-graduate transfer nearly doubles the starting experience up front. However, Scelfo, junior Tony Adams and redshirt sophomore Will Richardson (nine-game starter in 2015 that was suspended for the spring semester) did not practice with the team this spring. Not only is the offense different under offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz, but Doeren has noted new offensive line mentor Dwayne Ledford is changing the method of attack up front, moving to a more aggressive style. Adams and Scelfo are logical bets to start the opener, provided both are healthy. The rest of the line could see a number of different combinations, especially given the versatility of somebody like redshirt sophomore Tyler Jones, who could play guard or tackle. — Ryan Tice Offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz's first-string unit racked up 47 points and 444 total yards against the backups, despite operating without arguably its top three players, its two most experienced linemen and its most proven pass catcher. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN

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