Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson has been named N.C. State's starting quarterback, the school announced Friday afternoon.
Wilson beat out senior returning starter Daniel Evans, freshman Mike Glennon, sophomore Justin Burke and junior Harrison Beck to gain the job.
Wilson will be the third N.C. State quarterback since 1971 to start as a freshman in his first college game. He is the eighth freshman to start a game during that time.
"As I've said from the beginning, the decision would be made on who we feel gives us the best opportunity to win the football game, and right now we feel Russell Wilson will do that," coach Tom O'Brien said in a statement.
"He will be our starter as we go but we certainly feel that Daniel [Evans] has some things he can contribute to this football team, as well. Russell is the starter and Daniel is the backup, but as Daniel knows he is one play away from being the starter."
N.C. State begins the season on Aug. 28 at South Carolina.
Wilson will be the third starter O'Brien, who's starting his second season, has used with the Wolfpack. Evans started eight games last season, and Beck started four.
"I'm excited to be the starter," Wilson said in a statement. "I believe Daniel and I can both step in and help this team win some games. The team is really excited to go down to South Carolina and we hope it will be a great game."
O'Brien said during a news conference Wednesday that Evans might also play some if Wilson were named the starter.
It's unclear whether that will be the case in Columbia, but a statement from Evans released by N.C. State indicates that he might play.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to play on Thursday," Evans said. "I know Russell is going to do a great job. Hopefully we can both help the team go down and compete against the Gamecocks."
Comments
QB Race or Rat Race?
Fri, 08/29/2008 - 23:05 — Anonymous (not verified)Thursday nights game made it painfully obvious that our QB situation is certainly not set.The display of ineptitude was unbelievable , then again it wasn't that unbelievable considering the most talented QB on our team sat the bench all but six meaningless plays! Coach TOB needs to get over himself and play the players who give us the best chance to compete. Every one forgets that harrison beck was the number four QB prospect in the nation coming out of high school, hand picked by Bill Callaghan to run the first ever pro style west coast offense in Nebraska history, transferd here despite numerous other offers, and his first college start was right here against nationally ranked Boston College, in which he may have thrown four ints, but he also threw for 380+yards and ran for a touchdown. Anybody think even half that amount of yards or ints and we might have had a chance last night? Wilson doesn't scare anyone with his arm so everyone knows hes gonna run, and evans doesn't scare anyone period! He threw for like 30 yards and 2 ints, not to mention he couldn't stay off the turf of keep our offense on the field. This season could get real ugly real fast I hope TOB wakes up soon and gives our team a chance to win!