Technician Online

August 26th, 2008

Eugene out for South Carolina

By Langdon on August 26th, 2008

Tailback Jamelle Eugene will not compete in N.C. State’s opening game at South Carolina, coach Tom O’Brien said after practice Tuesday. Senior Andre Brown will start in Eugene’s place in the game.

The release also indicated that junior receiver Donald Bowens (lower back stress fracture) and safety Javon Walker (knee) will miss the season with their respective injuries.

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August 22nd, 2008

Wilson, Evans react to QB decision and O’Brien talks South Carolina

By tcauten on August 22nd, 2008

When redshirt freshman Russell Wilson and graduate student Daniel Evans walked into a meeting with coach Tom O’Brien this morning, both expected that they would be taking the first snap against South Carolina on Thursday. But it was Wilson, the duel-sport star of spring camp, who beat out Evans, last year’s starter.

For Wilson, who grew up throwing to his father Harrison Wilson III, who was drafted as a wide receiver by the San Diego Chargers, the decision was “exciting.”

“I called my parents to let them know,” Wilson said. “They were definitely excited.”

Evans, who finished the season as the starting quarterback in 2007 and returned to the team after graduating, said the decision was tough.

“I’m disappointed, but I’ve had a lot of talks with my dad leading up to this,” Evans said. “Really, coming into this season, I’ve been through every up and every down you could go through as a football player.”

“I really feel like that has prepared me, even for this,” Evans said.

According to O’Brien, he expects Evans to get in the game early against South Carolina. Even if Wilson is playing well, expect to see Evans take over for multiple series against the Gamecocks.

“He’s going to play,” O’Brien said. “Somewhere in the first half, he’s going to have to go in and play. He’s done too much for this program and he’s a good enough player.”

O’Brien will be taking a patient approach with Wilson, who has never played in a college game but will be taking his first snap in front of 80,000 fans in a season opener.

“It’s going to be unlike anything he’s ever experienced,” O’Brien said. “You might as well get it over and get it out of the way and go on from there.”

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August 21st, 2008

Wilson, Evans focus of practice

By Josh Harrell on August 21st, 2008

With N.C. State’s quarterback race down to two players — graduate student Daniel Evans and redshirt freshman Russell Wilson — coach Tom O’Brien and offensive coordinator Dana Bible’s attentions have to be on finding the best player for the starting job.

While it is likely both will have a fair shot to showcase their play next Thursday night at South Carolina, O’Brien is still working on naming a starting, saying Wednesday that he would wait until South Carolina asks for the final depth chart.

Passing stats still have not been released for the past two scrimmages, but Wilson said he is handling the idea of dual-quarterback system just fine.

“No matter what, if it’s a dual quarterback system or not, I still have to focus on every snap,” Wilson said.

Though much of the focus in practice surely has been on Wilson and Evans, Wilson said his role at practice hasn’t changed at all.

“I’m still trying to focus on getting the starting job and if I don’t I’m still going to work to make sure that if I do get in there I’m ready to go,” Wilson said.

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