NC State finding creative ways to get players snaps

NC State is finding creative ways to get players on to the field.

Whether it is backup redshirt sophomore quarterback Jalan McClendon being used on the goal line or third-string redshirt freshman quarterback Jakobi Meyers at wide receiver, the Wolfpack coaches are taking advantage of their various skills. NCSU will need all hands on deck Saturday with 4-0 Wake Forest coming to town at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Against Old Dominion, McClendon ran for a one-yard touchdown run, followed by a three-yard score, and he switched it up by passing for a three-yard touchdown to freshman tight end Thaddeus Moss. Starting quarterback Ryan Finley took the situation in stride, and the Wolfpack have given opposing defenses something else to think about in the red zone.

“I believe in using your strengths and hiding your weaknesses,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “When you have playmakers, it is my job to try and find ways to get them out there.”

Meyers worked extensively at quarterback during Thursday’s practice, but he snagged three passes for 50 yards against Old Dominion at his “second” position.

“Meyers is getting better, no doubt,” Doeren said. “I’m excited about his progress and his future. We are doing developmental practice right now and he’s playing quarterback. He is getting better at that skill set as well. He was injured a lot last year.”

NC State also had backup sophomore defensive end Darian Roseboro play some at defensive tackle to increase his snaps against Old Dominion. Sophomore defensive tackle Eurndraus Bryant, who is now healthy, also got dinged up and missed time. The plan worked out beautifully with Roseboro netting three sacks.

“This is a guy that is playing really well,” Doeren said. “We want our best D-Lineman out there, whether he is at D-Tackle or in at D-End in that rotation.”

Reserve sophomore linebacker Riley Nicholson, who is now healthy, could be another player in line for increased playing time Saturday.

“He’s playing fast in practice and he has been good on special teams,” Doeren said. “He’s practicing well. He deserves to be out there more.”

Wake Forest has battled injuries, but after a sluggish 7-3 season-opening win over Tulane Sept. 1, the offense has started to improve. The Demon Deacons have combined for 71 points the last two games. A physical contest could be on tap Saturday.

“[Defense] has always been about tackling and beating blocks,” Doeren said. “There are a lot more explosive plays than it used to be. It was phone booth football I think, and now it is space football.”

Doeren pointed out that the variety of offenses the Wolfpack will see in a season is what makes college football different than 15 years ago. Wake Forest and East Carolina for instance, have different approaches.

“You can go from playing against a smash-mouth team one week to a wide-open team the next and then a triple-option team the next,” Doeren said. “That is the hard part. Your packages have to be really flexible. Your kids have to have big picture knowledge where things carry into each week.”

NC State’s big-play speed proved to be the difference in last year’s 35-17 win in Winston-Salem. Matthew Dayes had touchdown runs if 85 yards and 57 yards in the first quarter, and wide receivers Maurice Trowell and Nyheim Hines added two deep bombs for scores in the opening stanza. Trowell caught a 59-yard to set the tone 53 seconds into the game, and Hines' went 58 yards. Dayes, Trowell and Hines all are back this season.

“We are different, and they are different,” Doeren said. “It’s different every year and a challenge. They are playing better in all three phases.”