The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/73006
2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW CHAMPIONSHIP Quarterback Mike Glennon And Cornerback David Amerson Lead A Wolfpack Squad That Wants To Win An ACC Title GOALS Mike Glennon and junior cornerback Da- vid Amerson will help lead a team that returns 14 starters and both kicking special- ists from last year's 8-5 squad. NC State finished the season with three straight vic- tories, including a 31-24 triumph over Lou- isville in the Belk Bowl at Charlotte. The Wolfpack's winning formula has N been consistent under sixth-year head coach Tom O'Brien. Quarterback Russell Wilson and middle linebacker Nate Irving 26 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL C State has the experience and star power to reach a new level of success this season. Fifth-year senior quarterback were the leaders and playmakers on NC State's 9-4 squad in 2010. Amerson, Glen- non, and linebackers Audie Cole and Ter- rell Manning emerged last year to fill the voids left by the departures of Wilson and Irving. Cole and Manning have moved on to the NFL, leaving some questions marks at linebacker, but the Wolfpack are forti- fied with experience at nearly every other position. Glennon has become the public face of the offense. The 6-6, 232-pound pocket passer was 283-of-453 passing for 3,054 yards with 31 touchdowns and 12 intercep- tions in his first year as a starter. The 6-3, 194-pound Amerson was argu- ably the top cornerback in college football with a record-setting 13 interceptions last fall, an ACC single-season record. Am- erson, a finalist last season for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, is being hailed as a top-15 prospect (or higher) for the 2013 NFL Draft. NC State will find out early where they stand by playing Tennessee in the season opener Aug. 31 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. "It's an SEC school, it's in the Georgia Dome, and it's a national spotlight type of game," Glennon noted. "We know it's a great opportunity to beat a great opponent, and if we do so, it'll jumpstart the season."