CHARLOTTESVILLE — Faced with a must-win situation, N.C. State found a way to beat Virginia on the road on Saturday.
David Amerson's interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed a 28-14 win for the Wolfpack which needs to finish the second half of the season with a flurry.
Russell Wilson has Wisconsin unbeaten and ranked in the top 5 nationally and has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate but N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien isn't sure his former quarterback could have made a significant difference in the Wolfpack's record through six games this season.
N.C. State's 3-3 with a litany of injuries and problems on defense heading into Saturday's game at Virginia.
"Probably not because it hasn't been a lack of offense," O'Brien said today. "There isn't anything throw-wise or leadership-wise offensively that would be any different at this point in the season."
RALEIGH — N.C. State used four touchdown passes from Mike Glennon and four second-half interceptions by its defense to beat Central Michigan, 38-24, for its first win over a major Division I opponent of the season.
Decked out in all-black uniforms, with pink numbers (for breast cancer awareness) and red helmets, the Wolfpack looked different. The Pack's beleaguered defense played different, especially in the second half.
Central Michigan quarterback Ryan Radcliff threw four interceptions in the second half, three in the decisive third quarter as State stretched a four-point halftime lead to 38-17.
N.C. State's road trip to Cincinnati is a chance for the Wolfpack to play in the national spotlight and also for coach Tom O'Brien, and several of his players and assistants, to go home.
O'Brien grew up in Cincinnati and played high school football at St. Xavier. Offensive coordinator Dana Bible followed O'Brien at St. Xavier and played cornerback for the Bearcats in the mid-1970s and coached at UC and in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The rave reviews for Russell Wilson's performance last night in Wisconsin's opener keep coming in.
In this report from correspondent Jason McMahon of the Wisconsin State Journal, Wilson's new teammates up in Madison, Wisc., were gushing postgame about the 255 passing yards, two TDS and 46-yard TD run he racked up in just one half of play against overwhelmed UNLV.
N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien was vague with the details about Monday's scrimmage at Carter-Finley Stadium, the first of training camp, but he was impressed with the team's enthusiasm and his new quarterback.
"There's good competition right now, especially between the offense and defense," O'Brien said. "They have a pretty good thing going right now and that's how you get better."
Mike Glennon's first August practice as N.C. State's starting quarterback wasn't much different than one in April.
Glennon, a fourth-year junior, did have a full, red beard, but other than that, it was business as usual on Tuesday as the Wolfpack opened training camp for its first season in four years without Russell Wilson.
PINEHURST -- George Bryan isn’t tired of answering questions about a guy who doesn’t even play for his team any more. Not yet.
The N.C. State tight end is happy to talk about new starter Mike Glennon, even if everyone wants to ask about the departed Russell Wilson.
“I feel like it’s definitely getting repetitive a little bit, but I will talk about it,” Bryan said. “I’m really just focused on Mike and how he’s going to do. I know he’s going to do good and I’m excited for him to be my quarterback now.”
DURHAM — Tom O'Brien lamented the loss of N.C. State's top receivers and all-star linebacker Nate Irving during the Triangle Pigskin Kickoff on Thursday in Durham. The Wolfpack coach also expressed his concerns about the special teams.
One name O'Brien did not mention in his comments during the annual luncheon was Russell Wilson, the two-time All-ACC quarterback who transferred to Wisconsin.
N.C. State's first spring practice opened Thursday morning without Russell Wilson or Nate Irving, the leaders of last year's nine-win team.
Mike Glennon takes over at quarterback for Wilson and Audi Cole moves inside to replace Irving at linebacker.
