NC State QB Russell Wilson has lofty expectation for the upcoming season. |
Not much was expected of NC State quarterback Russell Wilson last year. As a redshirt freshman, the 5-foot-11, 208-pound athlete came in to replace the woeful tandem of Harrison Beck and Daniel Evans after a 34-0 loss to South Carolina.
Wilson tossed a pick in a 27-9 loss at Clemson in the third week of the season, but rebounded nicely, throwing 17 touchdowns to zero interceptions from that point forward.
He also showed a nimble side to him, running for 394 yards and four touchdowns, including 177 yards in the Wolfpack's final three games -- in which NC State beat Wake Forest, North Carolina and Miami (FL).
Wilson went on to be named to the All-ACC first team, the first freshman in conference history to do so. He also helped steady an otherwise rocky team to a 6-6 finish and a PapaJohns.com bowl berth after the Wolfpack started out 2-6 (0-4 ACC).
Fast forward a year later and NC State faces a favorable schedule that features seven home games -- including four of their first five -- to go along with a seasoned veteran in Wilson and 13 other starters. Head coach Tom O'Brien enters his third year with the program, and his first with his own recruits.
All of a sudden the third string Wilson from the start of 2008 is expected to carry the Wolfpack to another bowl game, and has created a buzz surrounding the team that has some calling NC State a dark horse to win the ACC Atlantic Division.
NC State opens the season looking to avenge last season's shutout against the Gamecocks on Thursday, September 3 at 7 pm EST.
