NC State Wolfpack Spring Football: A Family Affair
The football season for the NC State Wolfpack started last Saturday with a highly anticipated spring game.
On Saturday, football was in the air.
Head coach Dave Doeren and NC State celebrated its past and welcomed its future in a weekend filled with fun festivities for fans and players alike before its annual 2016 Kay Yow Spring Game. As they do each year, former Wolfpack football players return to Raleigh to reminisce about old times and to meet current coaches and new players.
NC State students had the opportunity to compete in the first ever Carter-Finley Combine which consisted of a Dash, Pass & Kick competition. Junior Wolfpack Club members from kindergarten to the fifth grade also participated in the Junior Wolfpack Club Dash. Tailgate lovers were literally in hog heaven as the 6th Annual Wolfpack Club BBQ Bowl commenced on Friday and ended on game day.
The highlight of Saturday morning was the 3rd annual Wolfpack Football Classic Alumni Game (flag football). The game consisted of two (2) twenty-minute quarters in the confines of Carter-Finley Stadium and on turf most of them had not set foot on in many years.
Live Feed
Busting Brackets
The game was played several hours prior to the scheduled 1pm kickoff of the Kay Yow Spring Game. Admission was free to all events, however a small donation was encouraged to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Kay Yow Scholarship endowment. The spring game capped a great weekend for former players with an Alumni Golf event on Friday and dinner Friday night.
Former NC State safety (’93-’97) Damon Wyche provided a look at the happenings inside the Wolfpack house. He said there were a lot of young and older players who returned for the event. The guys enjoyed themselves immensely and took the time to learn some of NC State’s rich Wolfpack history that was present.
Live Feed
Busting Brackets
A few of the players who participated in the Alumni Game were: Dantonio Burnette, Willie Wright, Jamie Barnette, Jimmy Grissett, Adrian Hill, Marcel Huff, Lloyd Harrison, Torry Holt, Shantay Taylor, Bobbie Cotten, Brandon Bishop, Ray Robinson, Grant Dorn, Perry Cotten, Devon Smith, Derek Roberts, Tramayne Simmons and game MVP Jonathan Fisher.
Wyche said he was a little sore, but felt good out there competing against the younger guys. Represented in the games were players from the 1990’s to recent years. Below, Wyche can be seen with good friend and NC State legend Torry “Big Game” Holt.
Kay Yow Spring Game: RED TEAM 47 – WHITE TEAM 0
Saturday afternoon, we got to see a glimpse of NC State’s future: Redshirt-sophomore Jalan McClendon and Redshirt-freshman Jakobi Meyers.
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Both young men have waited patiently for the opportunity to play after the exit of senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett. They did not disappoint. Alternating quarters for the winning Red Team, McClendon was 13-of-18 passing for 120 yards and one TD, while Meyers was 12-of-20 for 117 yards and one touchdown. The quarterback battle is just beginning to heat up as projected starter McClendon will no doubt be pushed by Meyers over the coming months.
Fans were impressed with the potential of both young qb’s and no doubt now feel upbeat about the 444 offensive yards piled up under new offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz who joined Dave Doeren’s staff in January.
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Former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers who gave a rousing pep talk before the game, was surely as pleased with the Red Team’s defensive performance as he was with the offense. The deck was stacked a little though.
The Red Team consisted of projected starters on offense and defense. That being said, it was still a nice beginning for all and a sure confidence builder for the two young guns.
NEXT UP: William & Mary
WHEN: Thursday, September 1, 2016
WHERE: Carter-Finley Stadium