On a windy day it was probably natural that a running back would step forward and post the most impressive statistics in N.C. State’s first football spring scrimmage.
Sophomore running back Mustafa Greene, who was the Wolfpack’s leading rusher in 2010, carried seven times for 61 yards and a touchdown and added one reception for 10 yards.
Coach Tom O’Brien said the Wolfpack’s veterans – the team returns eight defensive starters and six starters on offense – demonstrated that they have benefited from their experience.
“The thing that’s obvious is that the guys that have played are at a different level right now than a lot of the young kids that haven’t been in games,” O’Brien said. “So as any first scrimmage, there’s a lot of things that show up that certainly will help us, direct us where we have to go.”
Brandon Barnes (9 rushes, 31 yards), Tony Creecy (5-26, 1 TD) and James Washington (10 rushes, 5 yards) also carried the ball in the scrimmage as the wind disrupted the passing game.
Junior quarterback Mike Glennon was 9-for-19 for 60 yards with one interception. Tyler Brosius, the redshirt freshman backup, was 6-for-14 for 24 yards with two interceptions.
Tobais Palmer led a wide receiving corps that O’Brien said needs to have leaders step forward. Palmer made three catches for 20 yards, and tight end George Bryan added two catches for 8 yards.
Safety Brandan Bishop led the defense with five tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, and an interception. Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn made five tackles, and tackle A.J. Ferguson had two quarterback sacks.
