O'Brien Sees Improvement on Offense
O'Brien Sees Improvement on Offense
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH, N.C. ? NC State football coach Tom O?Brien may not like what his 1-2 team?s record is heading into the fourth week of the college football season. But he sees improvement, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
True, it?s been hard to get into a rhythm, as O?Brien shuffles his lineup to fill in holes left by an array of injuries, not the least of which was the concussion suffered by redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson in the season-opener against South Carolina. The offense has also been without several of its top weapons, including running backs Jamelle Eugene and Toney Baker, tight ends Anthony Hill and Matt Kushner and wide receiver Donald Bowens.
Wilson missed the 34-24 win over William & Mary, but returned to the field Saturday in the Wolfpack?s 27-9 loss at No. 23 Clemson. The offense did not score a touchdown in that contest, but Wilson managed to move his team down the field on several occasions, twice getting the Pack in the red zone.
?I think the quarterback took a step forward and that helped the offense take a step forward,? O?Brien said Monday during his weekly press conference. ?We ran the ball a lot better at the end of the game. Both Curtis [Underwood] and Andre [Brown] carried the ball for more than four yards a carry, which is a positive for us.
?After a couple of hiccups, especially in the second quarter in getting us in and out of the huddle, Russell settled down and played much better. That?s what you expect to see. We have to build on that.?
When the Wolfpack hosts No. 15 East Carolina (3-0 overall) on Saturday at noon at Carter-Finley Stadium, Wilson will have the benefit of seeing a friendly crowd in the first of four consecutive home games. His first two career starts were on the road, at South Carolina and at Clemson, and he missed the Pack?s only home game of the season, the win over William & Mary.
It's an opportunity for the freshman from Richmond to build some confidence in a stadium full of friendly faces. O?Brien was impressed with Wilson?s mobility and the way he created some time to throw the ball, eluding the Clemson blitz and down linemen who slipped by the NC State offensive line.
?He extended the play,? O?Brien said. ?That?s what he does best. I think those are the things he can build on to get better for us.?
Pirates coach Skip Holtz has also been impressed with Wilson?s limited play.
?I think he's a very talented player,? Holtz said Monday. ?I don't think you can evaluate him based on just the Clemson game because of some of the things that Clemson defense does and the way it flies around.
?But I think he's an excellent football player.?
O?Brien, indeed, liked what he saw, though he admits that Wilson is still rather green.
?The kid is young,? O?Brien said. ?He has a lot to learn.?
Monday, O?Brien announced three new injuries to significant contributors to his team. Junior defensive tackle Alan-Michael Cash suffered a knee injury in Saturday?s game and had surgery on Sunday. He will be out indefinitely. Wide receiver Geron James (foot) and offensive guard Curtis Crouch (ankle), both reserves on offense, will also miss the game with injuries.
