RALEIGH — Junior Harrison Beck and sophomore Justin Burke didn’t play Sunday during N.C. State’s second preseason scrimmage.
Coach Tom O’Brien didn’t shed much light on what that means for what was a five-player race for the starting quarterback position entering preseason camp.
O’Brien said he wanted to get a closer look at redshirt freshman Russell Wilson and freshman Mike Glennon. O’Brien was asked if the exclusion meant that Beck and Burke were out of the race for the starting position.
“They were today,” O’Brien said. “We’ll see where they are tomorrow. It’s still an evaluation stage. We’re going to take a good look at this tape and see where we go with the quarterbacks.”
The staff will have a day to evaluate Monday as the team has its first day off from practice since the opening of camp on July 31.
Summer school final exams are Monday and Tuesday, and O’Brien said the break comes at a good time because the team is weary.
Returning starter Daniel Evans had the most efficient day passing, going 6-for-8 for 89 yards and a touchdown. Curtis Underwood led the rushers with 101 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries, but disappointed the coaches with a fumble.
O’Brien said tailback Toney Baker, who is returning from a torn knee ligament, will not participate in any of the preseason scrimmages. He is being held out of contact drills as he continues to recover from surgery.
Tailback Andre Brown also did not scrimmage Sunday.
O’Brien was pleased with the defense, which was led by linebacker Nate Irving (seven tackles) and tackle Antoine Holmes (three tackles for loss).
“We tackled much better,” O’Brien said. “We were in much better position. We put pressure on the quarterback all day long. And those are good things.”
STATISTICS
Passing: Daniel Evans 6-8-0 89, 1 TD; Russell Wilson 5-14-1 60; Mike Glennon 13-25-3 118, 1 TD.
Rushing: Curtis Underwood 16-101, 1 TD; Jamelle Eugene 15-79; Brandon Barnes 8-27.
Receiving: Owen Spencer 4-24; Jamelle Eugene 3-34; Chaz McQueen 2-57, 1 TD; Anthony Hill 2-7, 1 TD.
Tackles: Nate Irving 7; Jeremy Gray 6; Robbie Leonard 6, Dwayne Maddox 5; Ray Michel 5.
Interceptions: Jeremy Gray; Robbie Leonard; Koyal George. Field goals: Bradley Pierson 1-2.
Comments
History lesson
Thu, 08/14/2008 - 19:15 — Anonymous (not verified)I remember a story I read about Jim Valvano's arrival at NC State...at his first team meeting, he told the players in no uncertain terms that he didn't recruit them and he didn't owe them anything, he was hired to lead the program and the people best suited for his style of play would be on the court. Basically it was his way or the highway. I'd be willing to bet this is close to what EVERY college head coach says to the current players upon his/her arrival at the new job.
Whatever the reasons behind TOB's quarterback decision, it's his program, his football philosophy, and ultimately his call on who plays and who doesn't.
brents a genius
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 12:32 — Drew (not verified)Beck's college experience definitely would have paid dividends, I mean his numbers were incredible when he played, especially his 2 touchdowns compared to 9 interceptions. That number should be inverted if he were really to deserve a starting quarterback job. A strong arm doesn't mean anything if you lack decision making ability and accuracy, that just means it will get from his hands to the defenders quicker. Burke just doesn't havent experience and he doesn't separate himself enough from the other qb's to warrant him sticking around. O'Brien is doing them a favor if it really is true they were encouraged to look at playing elsewhere, that way they're not wasting their time and more work can be done to develop wilson and glennon. Evans may not be philip rivers but he has the most experience and he posted much better numbers than beck with a shoulder injury last season and many of his playmakers injured, with a young and thin o-line. Things will improve this season, give Evans one more year and develop wilson and glennon.
So I guess the same young
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 18:19 — brent (not verified)So I guess the same young and thin o-line as well as the injured playmakers didnt line up with Beck at QB? Come on evans is a fifth year senior who has been injured every year he has played. He is 170 pounds soaking wet and is only still around because his father is the stadium play by play announcer and a wolfpack alum! If you remember correctly evans was benched at the half of the season opener last year, and it was beck who threw 2 second half touchdowns and led us back to a near comeback win. Beck has thrown some picks, but 4 of them came next week in his first college start against then top 10 ranked Boston College, thats right the same BC team that knows the ins and outs of our offense because its the same one they run. Beck did also throw for 386 passing yards and scored the tying touchdown at 7 to 7 in the first quarter. By the way State only ran for negative 5 yards in that game! Talk about a supporting cast thats M.I.A. All im saying is Beck cant transfer again because he did so to come play for state and Coach Ammato, he has outplayed statisticlly every other QB on the roster in the Spring game and Fall scrimmages, all while being told it was his job to lose. Now after sitting out for a year, playing for a year, and getting ready for this year he is being told to take a hike!! Nothing like dedicating your life heart and soul to a team to only be mislead and disregarded for two guys who have never taken a snap in a college game. Burke can at least transfer and still have a chance to play somewhere else, while Beck is essentially screwed. NCAA rules say he can only go to a division 2 non scholarship school, which are basically beefed up High School teams. Just doesnt seem fair or right to me, but hey what do I know Im not a genious like coach O'brien, or any of you!
brent
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 11:40 — gvillegatrgreat insight! QB is a position the coach wants to take sole possession of most of the time. so if TOB is going down, he's going down with his guy!
beck burke held out of scrimmage
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 01:56 — brent (not verified)Unfortunatly I know for a fact that Coach obrien has excluded both qbs from any opportunity of starting this season for the wolfpack based solely on his want to remove himself and his staff from leftover players from the old coaching regimes. Despite the fact Beck has college experience the strongest arm of any of the quarterbacks on the team, and burke was Kentucky quarterback of the year in high school, he and burke have been told to look for new schools to play for. O'brien thinks hes's going to have better results from two guys who have never played a college game, and who havent even outplayed their competition in practice. He is an arrogant a@*hole who thinks he can turn glennon into matt ryan by kissing his butt for four years.. Good luck with that dont worry about the recruits State will lose when they learn the best players dont play just the ones "Coach " likes!! Recipe for disaster not to mention I wouldn't count on many wins with glennon, wilson, and evans calling the shots. Gonna be a long year!!!!!
Brent, Speculation
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 16:17 — ncsumatmanBrent,
Speculation aside, you obviously have some motive involved in your comments. Also, just to clarify, didn't Daniel Evans play for Chuck Amato?
The truth
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 18:38 — Brent (not verified)There is no speculation only truth. Something coach O'brien knows nothing about! I wonder how long he'll wait before he makes an announcement about his decision and the fact that he is putting our season on the line by getting rid of experienced players to start and play two green freshman. This Glennon kid must be the second coming of John Elway!
on the other hand
Mon, 08/11/2008 - 18:45 — izzykareemyeah, it could mean that Beck and Burke have performed well in whatever drills they had been doing. Just too much to speculate on about what it means and TOB isn't going to say anything to tip his hand; not to the cunning Ken Tysiac
So many QBs, so little time
Mon, 08/11/2008 - 12:42 — JPDOhioI would be surprised if this decision was anything more than giving three guys enough reps to make a decent evaluation. I won't be surprised if two of the other QB candidates sit out the next scrimmage.
Quarterback
Sun, 08/10/2008 - 22:38 — canislupus89Anybody but Harrison Beck. I just have no faith in him at all. I took my brother to the Louisville game last year and after watching all of Beck's ducks and dying quails, he subsequently responded, who is that quarterback? "He's terrible!" I had to agree. I would never wish injury for anyone but if Beck had continued as the starter then we never would have had a four game winning streak at mid-season. I'm also pretty sure that we would have fell far short of 5-7.
I'm not sure Evans is the answer although he played well during the winning streak and provided solid leadership. After being around for so long he is like having a coach on the field.
I would give Burke a shot before Beck. Doesn't Burke's impressive performance in the Spring game count for something?
Couldn't agree more, my
Mon, 08/11/2008 - 10:38 — furyissick (not verified)Couldn't agree more, my friend. Beck is soooo bad. I like Evans to start the season, particularly at South Carolina in the big ESPN spotlight. I'd like to redshirt Glennon and get Russel Wilson involved some. I think in years to come they could make an outstanding duo. Russell as an athletic scrambler and Glennon as a composed pocket passer. They could tear defenses up with that combo. Bright future for the wolfpack I believe.
most likely both had Monday
Sun, 08/10/2008 - 22:01 — Cletus (not verified)most likely both had Monday morning exams. I don't think either of them are out of the race, based upon fairly good performances in the 1st scrimmage.