Technician Online

September 9th, 2007

QB controversy doesn’t seem to exist

By clark on September 9th, 2007

Tom O’Brien may have said after Saturday’s game he’ll have to look at game film before making any decisions about his starting quarterback for next week. But his actions certainly told a different story.

Despite redshirt sophomore Harrison Beck being intercepted five times and fumbling once, O’Brien left him in for all but one possession. It was understandable why he did too: Beck threw for 321 yards and between turnovers looked good enough to restore the excitement to N.C. State’s offense.

While he may not have been able to get the team a win at Boston College and he has to seriously cut down on his interceptions, it seems clear his potential gives O’Brien the best chance of winning any games this season.

Even with the turnovers, the Pack most likely has to stick with Beck anyway to gain some sense of continuity. The team has already had two starting quarterbacks in two games. Switching guys every week doesn’t seem like the answer.

Clark Leonard
Sports Editor

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September 9th, 2007

No relief in sight

By nick on September 9th, 2007

N.C. State could easily be 1-5 after its first six games. And the schedule doesn’t let up, even after the midway point.

Following the 37-17 loss to Boston College on Saturday, the football team plays Wofford at Carter-Finley Stadium on Sept. 15. Assuming a win that Saturday night, the Wolfpack will then have three games against top teams.

Two home games against top-25 teams in Clemson (Sept. 22) and Louisville (Sept. 29), then a trip to Florida State – three games in which State will be a heavy underdog.

The football team does get East Carolina and a struggling Virginia team after Florida State. However, State travels to Miami on Nov. 3.

And to wrap up the season, State gets North Carolina, Wake Forest and Maryland – teams that have given the Pack a hard time in recent years.

While the Pack might be 0-2 now, the season could get worse before it gets any better.
Nick Jeffreys
Deputy Sports Editor

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September 8th, 2007

Observations on O’Brien’s return to BC

By clark on September 8th, 2007

This blog will be updated throughout the game. Refresh the page for updates.

Beck, for better or worse?
Not long after the coaching staff named Daniel Evans the starter before the season-opener, it now appears they have realized their best hope of winning is Harrison Beck, even though he’s about as turnover-prone as they come (five interceptions and one fumble today).

Beck exciting, but who will he throw it to?
Harrison Beck has made the N.C. State offense about as fun to watch as any time since Philip Rivers left in 2003. For that much, fans can be grateful. The team is hanging in, down 17-10.

But it’s hard to imagine how far ahead the team could be if not for his four turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble.

If Beck can rein in his game and eliminate the turnovers, State has a chance to beat BC for a second straight year.

Blackman helps Beck get going
Just when it looked like Beck was starting to settle into a long struggle, receiver Darrell Blackman has helped him get on a roll.

First, Beck threw out of the end zone to Blackman for a 49-yard play, then a few plays later hit him for 32 yards to set up his own two-yard touchdown run.

It’s unclear where Blackman’s defender is, but Beck is glad he’s nowhere to be found.

Passing scheme backfires, for now
The coaching staff seemed to want Harrison Beck to build some confidence early, passing on four of its first five plays.

He completed his first two attempts, but Jamie Silva intercepted Beck’s fourth attempt and danced out of a myriad of tacklers in returning the ball to the N.C. State 30.

It will be interesting to see how Beck responds and if the play-calling continues to be pass-heavy.

Line-up changes galore for Wolfpack defense
Coach Tom O’Brien has switched his starting cornerbacks from J.C. Neal and Levin Neal to Jeremy Gray and Jimmie Sutton.

He will also start Javon Walker in place of strong safety DaJuan Morgan.

Ted Larsen and John Bedics will be the starting defensive tackles, as DeMario Pressley is injured and Alan Michael Cash is attending his father’s funeral.

Clark Leonard
Sports Editor

				      

				      
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