The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/80446
AIMING FOR AN ACC TITLE offseason and the players have embraced the raised expectations, eyeing the opportunity of winning an Atlantic Division title and a spot in the ACC title game. Florida State and Clemson are the league's preseason favorites, but NC State has experience and some potential future NFL players to build around. Here are five keys The Wolfpacker has selected that will help determine how much success NC State achieves this season. N 1. Quarterback Mike Glennon Stays Healthy Fifth-year senior Mike Glennon got banged up in a few games last year, but proved to be durable. That must continue for the Pack to have any shot at an Atlantic Division title. Glennon started all 13 games, while his backups threw only 13 passes in 2011. A repeat performance would be music to the ears of NC State fans. Glennon went 283-of-453 passing for 3,054 yards with 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in replacing the departed Russell Wilson. Glennon won't be mistaken for a scrambling quar- terback — he rushed 51 times for minus-110 yards and a score — but he isn't a statue in the pocket, either. NC State returns four offensive linemen with past starting experi- ence, but some are playing new positions. Senior center Camden Wentz and fifth-year senior right guard Zach Allen are both three- year starters at their spots. Fifth-year senior left guard R.J. Mattes is a four-year starter, but has started at a different position in each of the four seasons. Fifth-year senior right tackle Andrew Wallace started at left guard in 2010, but suffered an ACL injury that af- fected his chances of getting on to the field last year. The fifth starter, junior left tackle Robert Crisp, has been a valu- able reserve with three career starts and 26 games played under his belt. NC State gave up 33 sacks a year ago, and the linemen all talked during fall camp about reducing that figure. NC State allowed four sacks or more in five games, including a season-high six in the loss at Cincinnati. Cut the number of sacks, and the Pack's chances of a winning season go up. 2. The Wide Receivers Develop Into Playmakers Glennon is a proven commodity and one of the best quarterbacks Fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Glennon went 283-of-453 passing for 3,054 yards with 31 touchdowns last season, while his backups threw only 13 passes. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER in the country, but he's going to need help. The prototypical drop- back passer will be making plays with his arm and not his feet, and will need to have targets get open. The running backs — senior James Washington, and redshirt Five Keys To A Great Season For NC State BY JACEY ZEMBAL C State battled injuries and depth concerns to post an 8-5 mark and a Belk Bowl victory in 2011, and now the bar has been raised. The Wolfpack has been able to stay healthy during the