The quarterback duo of redshirt sophomore Mike Glennon and walk-on Daniel Imhoff threw for a combined five touchdowns Saturday in NC State's second scrimmage of the spring. Three of those touchdowns were caught by junior receiver T.J. Graham.
"This is probably as good as I've seen him go up and catch the football," head coach Tom O'Brien said following the scrimmage. "He made some catches today that he hasn't made, going up and fighting for balls and bringing them down. It's a good sign for him but he has to go and do it again next week, it just can't be a one day thing."
Graham caught six passes for 140 yards on the afternoon. Senior Owen Spencer (four catches for 24 yards) and fifth-year senior Darrell Davis (two catches for 23 yards) both caught a touchdown pass as well. Redshirt junior Jay Smith added a pair of catches for 40 yards.
Glennon finished the afternoon completing 17 of 28 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns, while Imhoff was 6-of-14 passing for 123 yards and two scores with an interception.
Part of the increased passing numbers Saturday can partially be attributed to the fact that offensive coordinator Dana Bible was calling plays for the first time since he was diagnosed with leukemia last November.
"Obviously there is more passing today than when coach O'Brien calls the game which is good because we need to give Michael a chance to throw the ball a little more which he did," O'Brien said. "A week ago the question was how come [Josh] Czajkowski kicked so many field goals well it was because the offense couldn't score. In the red zone segment today, Glennon threw some touchdown passes so he got better."
O'Brien noted that Bible will be one sideline at the Kay Yow Spring Game next Saturday calling plays while running backs coach Jason Swepson will handle the play-calling on the other team. O'Brien added a joke that at the end of the game he'll take a spot on the winning sideline.
O'Brien also said that after the spring game, Bible will go back for another round of treatment.
"He goes back to the original 'knock you out', goes back to the hospital stuff," O'Brien said. "He's been through two cycles, still positive, but he has his strength back and it's been a week since he's been on it so we all felt comfortable that he could make it through the scrimmage."
Overall, O'Brien gave mixed reviews for the scrimmage.
"Some guys made some strides," O'Brien said. "I don't think enough of us are making strides, but some of the younger kids are taking some steps forward. From the start we talked about how it's about individual improvement. That's the biggest thing we have to work on getting individuals sound and getting them better."
SCRIMMAGE STATS
Passing
Mike Glennon - 17 of 28 for 170 yards, 3 TDs
Daniel Imhoff - 6 of 14 for 123 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
James Washington - 10 rushes for 16 yards
Travis Leggett - 16 rushes for 35 yards
Receiving
TJ Graham - 6 catches for 140 yards, 3 TD
Owen Spencer - 4 catches for 24 yards, 1 TD
Darrell Davis - 2 catches for 23 yards, 1 TD
Jay Smith - 2 catches for 40 yards
Defense
Terrell Manning - 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB pressure
Audie Cole - 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss of 17 yards, 1.5 sacks for 13 yards
Brian Slay - 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss of 4 yards, 1 QB pressure
Natanu Mageo - 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss of 9 yards, 1 sack for 5 yards
Darryl Cato-Bishop - 6 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss 14 yards, 2 sacks for 10 yards
Jordan Monk - Interception return for a touchdown
Kicking
Josh Czajkowski - Made from 31 and 39; Missed 39