The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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scrimmage. In 2011, that unit managed just three points. This year, it got seven in a 32-7 loss to the Black team April 21 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Nevertheless, there did not seem to I be a lot of concern following the game, with more praise being heaped upon the defense than criticism for the offense. Here is a breakdown of how the of- fense lines up after spring practice. ■ Quarterback The 2011 season should have an- swered any question marks about fifth- year senior quarterback Mike Glennon. That explains why the position may be the only one on offense that is not an open competition at this point. Glennon completed 12 of 20 passes for 154 yards with an interception against the first-string defense. He joined a lengthy list of quarterbacks to have been picked off by Wolfpack junior corner- back David Amerson. Offensive coordinator Dana Bible, though, is pleased with where his start- ing signal-caller is at this point, noting improvements in several areas. "His command, his presence, just the way he handles himself in all aspects — on the field, in the locker room and in the meeting rooms," Bible noted. "It is evident that he has set the bar high for himself." Second-string quarterback Tyler Bro- sius, a redshirt sophomore, threw well during the scrimmage, completing 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards. Behind Brosius there's some uncer- tainty. Redshirt freshman Brian Tay- lor and true freshman Manny Stocker Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Bryan Un- derwood had a strong showing in the Kay Yow Spring Game, hauling in six receptions for 109 yards. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Position Battles Dominate On Offense During Spring BY MATT CARTER FINDING THE RIGHT COMBINATION f there was one positive from this year's Kay Yow Spring Game for the first-team offense, it was that it scored more than in last year's both struggled. Taylor completed 2 of 6 passes for 17 yards with a pair of in- terceptions, one of which was returned by fifth-year senior safety Earl Wolff for a touchdown. Stocker, who enrolled in January, misfired on both of his pass attempts but did show off his athleticism with a 15-yard touchdown scramble. ■ Running Back The biggest drama of the spring turned out to be redshirt sophomore Mustafa Greene, who returned to practice at the start of spring drills after sitting out last season with a foot injury only to be side- lined for most of the spring for undis- closed reasons. In Greene's absence, the familiar faces from 2011 handled the running duties. Redshirt sophomore Tony Creecy was the leading rusher, carrying 16 times for 45 yards and a touchdown for the Black team, which was the second-string of- fense. Senior James Washington, who ran with the first team, had nine carries for 26 yards and a score. Fifth-year senior Brandon Barnes had five rushes for 16 yards, including the game's longest run, 17 yards. Bible said that the running back position is far from settled. "It's a very competitive situation," Bible stated. "It started back in Janu- ary when the offseason program started from the get-go. No one is conceding anything. "I see the other guys believing they can be the guy. It's what you hope for at every position. It's genuine, legitimate competition." At fullback, the battle to replace Tay- lor Gentry is between junior walk-on Ty- ler Purvis and redshirt sophomore Logan Winkles. Purvis is the better receiver, catching three passes for 22 yards for the Black squad, while Winkles is the more physical of the two. ■ Wide Receiver Heading into the spring, receiver was considered the biggest question mark on offense. Highlighting the scrimmage for the group was redshirt sophomore Bryan Underwood, who caught six passes for 109 yards for the Black team and emerged as Brosius' favorite target dur- ing the game. The starters were fifth-year senior To- bais Palmer and redshirt junior Quin- tin Payton. Both had three receptions to pace the White squad. Payton's went for 26 yards while Palmer had 14 yards. A lot of eyes, though, were focused on the newcomers at the position. Con- verted cornerback Rashard Smith, a redshirt junior, caught three passes for 13 yards on the Black team, while his teammate in the spring game, redshirt freshman Hakeem Flowers, added a 16- yard reception and had opportunities for several more catches. Redshirt freshman Maurice Morgan played for the White team and had a 12- yard catch. "When we started, the only one that had played of any significance was To- bais," Bible said. "I understand where we started with a very green group, but it doesn't matter. We have to be ready to go and get ourselves up and running. I don't care where we started, I just care that we are ready to go by the time we get to the season. That has been our focus. "We have put them in a lot of differ- ent situations and have really challenged them. We've thrown a lot of different scenarios at them. We are a work in progress at that position, but I'll say this: this group is fast. This group can fly." ■ Tight End For the first time since 2008, NC State will not have George Bryan lining up with the first-string offense. Fifth-year senior Mario Carter, red- shirt juniors Anthony Talbert and Asa Watson, and redshirt freshman Benson Browne are the candidates to take over. The competition has been spirited, ac- cording to head coach Tom O'Brien. MAY 2012 ■ 35