Football Webrun

NC STATE FOOTBALL

JOHN O’CONNOR (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Short passing game may be Spiders’ best bet vs. Wolfpack

In the absence of a running game that can effectively function against a FBS defense, FCS teams often attempt to control the ball with short, high-percentage throws. Richmond junior quarterback Michael Strauss has shown ability to do so, and the Spiders’ deepest position is wide receiver.

In its season opener last Saturday, Richmond handled VMI 34-0, and demonstrated some passing potency. But the Spiders also had a few drops. Strauss missed a few open receivers.

“I’m not worried about that,” Strauss said. “We’re going to get that fixed.”

[snip]

“I think there has to be an understanding that any momentum swings that we offer to them by our own miscues certainly could lead to disaster,” UR coach Danny Rocco said of the Wolfpack (1-0), which beat Louisiana Tech 40-14 last Saturday.

“They’re going to make their fair share of plays because of their talent and their skill level, on both sides of the ball. So, you can’t be contributing to that.”

Although Richmond committed three turnovers against VMI, it also caused three. The Spiders led all of Division I in turnover margin (plus-22) last season.

NOTE: Win or lose Saturday at N.C. State, Richmond will collect a guarantee check in the neighborhood of $345,000. … The Spiders have won three of their past seven games against FBS opposition (all at Duke).

Patrick Stevens (Syracuse.com)
ACC football: N.C. State coach Dave Doeren wants quarterback Pete Thomas “not to beat us”

First-year N.C. State coach Dave Doeren doesn’t need Pete Thomas to be a savior at quarterback for the Wolfpack after starter Brandon Mitchell was lost for at least four weeks with a broken foot.

Instead, he wants Thomas to be smart, judicious and above all not try to do too much as N.C. State moves forward.

“We need him not to beat us,” Doeren said Wednesday as the Wolfpack (1-0) prepares to play host to Richmond and then head into a bye week before facing No. 4 Clemson on Sept. 19. “Distribute the ball to the right people. Don’t try to win the game, just don’t lose it. I think quarterbacks can try to make too many plays when they don’t have to.”

RichmondSpiders.com
2013 Spider Football Gameday Central – N.C. State

Richmond Moves Up In FCS Coaches Poll
The Spiders jumped two spots to No. 12 in the Coaches Poll after dismantling the VMI Keydets, 34-0, at Robins Stadium. In the Sports Network FCS Top 25, Richmond remained ranked No. 15 in the nation.

Spiders Open Season with 34-0 Shutout of VMI
Richmond opened the season on a strong note, defeating in-state rival VMI, 34-0, at a sold-out Robins Stadium. The blanking was the 33rd shutout to start a season for the Spiders and marked the largest win for Richmond in a season-opener since beating VMI, 42-6, in 1999.

Green(er) Pastures
Sophomore Jacobi Green is expected to get more of an opportunity this season for the Spiders and the running back took full advantage against VMI on August 31. Green ran for a career-high 95 yards on just eight carries with a receiving touchdown, including a career-long run of 53 yards.

Matthew Bradham (PackInsider.com)
NC State vs. Richmond Depth Chart

-Bryan Underwood, Quintin Payton, and Rashard Smith were listed as starters in the opening depth chart, but they technically didn’t start the game according to the stat book. Freshman Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the only receiver that was recorded as a starter in the game. And while that might be primarily a technicality, he did in fact record more snaps than any other wide receiver (46). In fact, another Freshman Bra’Lon Cherry also recorded more snaps (26) than both Quinton Payton (21) and Bryan Underwood (17) (Smith recorded 41 snaps).

Brett Friedlander (starnewsonline.com)
Doeren says Stocker will redshirt … unless there’s another injury

N.C. State played four quarterbacks in its season-opening football game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, including two true freshmen. Manny Stocker, a sophomore who at one point was battling for the starting position, wasn’t among them.

Wednesday on the ACC’s weekly conference call, coach Dave Doeren explained why.

“We’re trying to redshirt Manny,” Doeren said. “If we have one more injury, we’ll have to bring him up, as well.”

[snip]

“I think him playing last year was premature for his growth as a player,” Doeren said of Stocker. “I think he’s got a future ahead of him if he can develop a little bit.

“Giving him an opportunity to work on his mechanics, his throwing, the competition, all the things that go with seeing the college game and have it slow down in his head. I think a year going against our defense as a scout team quarterback will really benefit him.”

GoPack.com
Saturday is Military Appreciation Day

The Backhome Box Foundation will be collecting items to send to troops overseas outside the gates and cash donations will be taken inside the stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring items from the “Soldiers’ Wish List” to send to deployed troops.

The Department of Athletics and Coca Cola are hosting a pregame tailgate party for 400+ military personnel, including the Wounded Warriors. Wolfpack Club members will also be hosting troops at their pregame tailgates through the “Adopt-A-Serviceperson” program. These troops will also attend the game with complimentary tickets from athletics.

At 5 p.m., fans are encouraged to head to the North entrance for the Wounded Warriors Walk of Champions. The Wounded Warriors will be escorted by the Patriot Guard motorcycles, as well as the band, cheerleaders and dance team, and will be honored on the field during the game.

GoPack.com
Enjoy Fan Zone on Saturday

As you are putting the finishing touches on your tailgate plans, make sure you plan to visit a military-themed Fan Zone this Saturday and spend time with military service branches while enjoying interactive games and live entertainment. Located on the front lawn of the PNC Arena behind the North End Zone of Carter-Finley Stadium, Fan Zone will open at 3 p.m. and will be packed full of activities for Wolfpack fans of all ages.

Kangaroo Express, the presenting sponsor of Military Appreciation Day, will be hosting a dragster in Fan Zone this weekend. Make sure to stop by their tent to check out the dragster! Also, make sure to get into the gates early as Kangaroo Express will be passing out Military Appreciation Day koozies to fans as they enter the stadium!
Taking center stage at 3 p.m. to perform will be the 82nd Airborne Chorus. Having performed all over the country, the 82nd Airborne Chorus will be sure to put on a show you will not soon forget.

Time Warner Cable will be on hand keeping you updated on college football games across the country as they broadcast the day’s top games on the huge LED screen.