news-record.com

SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK

Coach: Tom O'Brien (80-52 overall, 5-7 in one year at N.C. State)

2007 record: 5-7 overall, 3-5 ACC (T-5th Atlantic)

Home field: Carter-Finley Stadium (57,583), Raleigh

KEY QUESTIONS FOR N.C. STATE

Who is Russell Wilson?

The redshirt freshman QB may be unknown to the public at large, but he created a buzz at State last fall by running the scout team so well. The coaches love his leadership and his arm. But his inexperience and lack of height could be problems.

What position gives the Wolfpack's coaches the most confidence?

State has bigger names at running back, but it has legitimate depth on its defensive line. Enough, in fact to move two of last year's contributors, John Bedics and Ted Larsen, over to the offensive line.

What position keeps the Wolfpack's coaches up at night?

It's a close call between linebacker and the secondary. But the secondary gets the edge, thanks to having three freshmen and two former walk-ons holding down spots on the depth chart. Yikes.

Will the second year of the Tom O'Brien era be better than the first?

The players are now accustomed to the system, which should mean fewer turnovers on offense and fewer blown assignments on defense. But the nonconference schedule, with games against South Carolina, South Florida and dangerous East Carolina, will likely keep the Wolfpack from becoming eligible for a bowl.

-- Compiled by Jim Young

2007 results

Central Florida L 25-23

at Boston College L 37-17

Wofford W 38-17

Clemson L 42-20

Louisville L 29-10

at Florida State L 27-10

at East Carolina W 34-20

Virginia W 29-24

at Miami W 19-16 (OT)

North Carolina W 31-27

at Wake Forest L 38-18

Maryland L 37-0

Schedule

Today -- at South Carolina, 8 (ESPN)

Sept. 6 -- William & Mary, 6

Sept. 13 -- at Clemson, noon (WXLV-45)

Sept. 20 -- East Carolina

Sept. 27 -- South Florida

Oct. 4 -- Boston College

Oct. 16 -- Florida State, 7:30 (ESPN)

Oct. 25 -- at Maryland

Nov. 8 -- at Duke

Nov. 15 -- Wake Forest

Nov. 22 -- at North Carolina

Nov. 29 -- Miami All kickoff times TBA unless noted

N.C. STATE INFO

Tickets: A limited number of single-game tickets are available. Call (919) 865-1510.

Official Web site: www.gopack.com

Local radio affiliates: WXRC-95.7, WSJS-600, WKXR-1260

Coach's TV show: 11:30 a.m. Sundays, WXLV-45; noon Mondays, Fox Sports Net.

Offense

Pos. NO. PLAYER HT. WT. YR.

WR 5 Jarvis Williams 6-4 205 So.

88 Geron James 6-3 220 Jr.

LT 73 Julian Williams 6-5 305 Jr.

61 Matt White 6-6 325 Sr.

LG 75 John Bedics 6-4 295 Sr.

70 Jake Vermiglio 6-5 315 So.

C 58 Ted Larsen 6-2 295 Jr.

74 Andy Barbee 6-3 310 Jr.

RG 60 Meares Green 6-4 306 Sr.

76 Curtis Crouch 6-5 320 Sr.

RT 50 Jeraill McCuller 6-7 330 Jr.

71 Gary Gregory 6-4 305 So.

TE 83 Anthony Hill 6-6 265 Sr.

89 Matt Kushner 6-4 265 Jr.

WR 13 Owen Spencer 6-3 180 So.

15 Darrell Davis 6-4 212 So.

QB 16 Russell Wilson 5-11 191 R-Fr.

7 Daniel Evans 6-2 200 Grad.

FB 27 Harrison Ritcher 5-11 215 So.

47 Taylor Gentry 6-2 215 Fr.

TB 29 Jamelle Eugene 5-10 195 Jr.

24 Andre Brown 6-0 228 Sr.

K 36 Josh Czajkowski 5-9 184 So.

Defense

Pos. NO. PLAYER HT. WT. YR.

E 91 Markus Kuhn 6-4 280 So.

98 Shea McKeen 6-5 250 Jr.

T 96 Antoine Holmes 6-2 281 Sr.

94 Keith Willis Jr. 6-1 284 Sr.

T 49 Alan-Michael Cash 6-1 286 Jr.

95 Leroy Burgess 6-1 300 Jr.

E 97 Willie Young 6-4 243 Jr.

11 Audi Augustin 6-2 253 So.

SLB 34 Robbie Leonard 6-0 210 Sr.

42 Audie Cole 6-5 229 R-Fr.

MLB 44 Ray Michel 6-0 224 Jr.

7 Sterling Lucas 6-2 220 Fr.

WLB 56 Nate Irving 6-1 225 So.

41 Dwayne Maddox 6-2 225 Fr.

FC 21 DeAndre Morgan 5-10 170 So.

33 Koyal George 5-11 175 Jr.

FS 14 J.C. Neal 5-11 195 Sr.

32 Jimmaul Simmons 6-2 200 R-Fr.

BS 28 Justin Byers 6-0 185 R-Fr.

31 Bobby Floyd 5-9 211 Jr.

BC 30 Jeremy Gray 6-2 188 Grad.

20 Dominique Ellis 5-11 190 Fr.

P 26 Bradley Pierson 5-9 163 Sr.