The smell of charcoal burning. The thud of bean bags smacking cornhole boards. Footballs crowding the air space like an international airport. College football was finally back Saturday. However, the NC State offense did not get the memo. The WolfPack were out gained by the FBS Liberty Flames 406 yards to 318. It took seven Liberty turnovers and two big returns from the defense and special teams for the Pack to extinguish the Flames 43-21. (Sorry, super cheesy I know)Rumbles of Russell Wilson could be heard throughout the stadium after the WolfPack's slow start. I even heard someone calling for Tom O'Brien's job/head. (He was rather belligerent) Mike Glennon's debut was indeed quite vanilla, completing 58% of his passes for 156 yards and one late touchdown. Glennon was hounded with pressure throughout the game by a Liberty defensive line that should have been out classed. The NC State offensive line has been problematic for some time but Wilson was able to mask their inadequacies during his tenure. His ability to turn a broken play into a 20 yard scramble is what made him such an asset to coach O'Brien. The WolfPack can no longer hide this glaring weakness.
Despite the pressure, Glennon was able to at least share the wealth, completing passes to ten different receivers. One problem, All ACC tight end George Bryan was not among the ten. What better of an asset for an inexperienced quarterback than a tight end of Bryan's caliber? He has to be more involved for the WolfPack going forward.
One positive for the offense this past weekend was, even without starting running back Mustafa Greene, the Wolfpack's running game was able to average over 4.5 yards per carry. Take away Glennon's negative 26 yards and the average settles around 6.5. The running game's success will keep defenses honest and allow Glennon more time in a quarterback's favorite place, standing in the pocket.
In his debut, Glennon, neither impressed nor lost my trust. He effectively managed the game and never seemed to lose his composure. The offense was even able to find their stride in the fourth quarter, scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions. The overreaction to the WolfPack's performance is to be expected given the circumstances, but first game butterflies aren't worth calling for a coach to be sent to the guillotine. Look for Glennon and the WolfPack to build off their fourth quarter success against overtime defeated Wake Forest next Saturday.
-Pictures credited to: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/ncsu/
Despite the pressure, Glennon was able to at least share the wealth, completing passes to ten different receivers. One problem, All ACC tight end George Bryan was not among the ten. What better of an asset for an inexperienced quarterback than a tight end of Bryan's caliber? He has to be more involved for the WolfPack going forward.
One positive for the offense this past weekend was, even without starting running back Mustafa Greene, the Wolfpack's running game was able to average over 4.5 yards per carry. Take away Glennon's negative 26 yards and the average settles around 6.5. The running game's success will keep defenses honest and allow Glennon more time in a quarterback's favorite place, standing in the pocket.
In his debut, Glennon, neither impressed nor lost my trust. He effectively managed the game and never seemed to lose his composure. The offense was even able to find their stride in the fourth quarter, scoring touchdowns on three consecutive possessions. The overreaction to the WolfPack's performance is to be expected given the circumstances, but first game butterflies aren't worth calling for a coach to be sent to the guillotine. Look for Glennon and the WolfPack to build off their fourth quarter success against overtime defeated Wake Forest next Saturday.
-Pictures credited to: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/ncsu/
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