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RALEIGH -- With four skill-position players out of the starting lineup, the N.C. State offense was understandably erratic early in Saturday's home opener against William and Mary.

But when third-string quarterback Harrison Beck took over the reins, the Wolfpack attack underwent a major transformation.

Beck replaced an ineffective Daniel Evans in the second quarter and threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Wolfpack to a 34-24 victory at Carter Finley Stadium.

The Wolfpack sputtered to 79 total yards and three first downs in the first half.

The yards started rolling up when Beck came in.

"It feels good as a team to get a win," Beck said. "The last year, there's been some ups and downs with people questioning what this offense can do."

With No. 1 quarterback Russell Wilson out with a concussion, the veteran Evans was given the start -- and he struggled.

The graduate senior's second pass attempt was badly overthrown, resulting in an interception. After completing four of 11 passes, head coach Tom O'Brien opted for Beck, a junior who started five games last season.

"The one thing about Harrison, if you want to get back in the shotgun and throw the ball, he's your guy," O'Brien said. "He made some great throws and at the same time we had some guys step up and make some catches, so that helps."

Wilson, who sustained a Grade 3 concussion last week at South Carolina, was cleared to play, but doctors felt it would be better if he had another week to recoup.

Despite Beck's performance, O'Brien squashed any doubts of who would play Saturday at Clemson.

"Russell will be the quarterback next week," he said without a moment's hesitation. "He was cleared to play tonight, but I chose not to play him."

Wilson actually did see action, holding an extra-point attempt in the third quarter.

Beck shrugged off the decision and promised to help his team in whatever capacity he could.

"I'm not concerned about it," he said. "I'm just going to prepare, do the best I can and cheer Russell on."

State (1-1) hadn't scored in nine straight quarters dating back to last season, but with Beck at the helm, the anemic offense looked like a thing of the past. Granted, FCS member William and Mary (0-1) isn't Week 1 opponent South Carolina, but Beck's teammates took notice of his outing.

Wideout Jarvis Williams ribbed Beck for his propensity to throw the ball.

"Harrison brings a lot of big--play potential," Williams said. "You just better know your route when he's on the field."

"It feels good to throw a touchdown -- that's why you play quarterback," said Beck, who's only blemish was an interception returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. "

Players filled in admirably at the skill positions.

Wide receiver Owen Spencer and third-string tight end George Bryan each caught five passes to help pick up the slack at their respective positions. Top wideout Donald Bowens is out for the season with a lower back stress fractures, and tight end Anthony Hill is out indefinitely with a chest injury.

Bryan stepped in and caught a touchdown after Matt Kushner went down in the second quarter.

Andre Brown and Curtis Underwood each ran for a touchdown in the absence of Jamelle Euguene.

Brown's touchdown was set up when Nate Irving intercepted a short pass from Tribe quarterback Jake Phillips inside the William and Mary 5.

William & Mary 0 0 10 14 -- 24

N.C. State 7 7 7 13 -- 34

NCS--Brown 3 run (Czajkowski kick)

NCS--Ja.Williams 22 pass from Beck (Czajkowski kick).

WM--FG Pate 43

NCS--Bryan 1 pass from Beck (Czajkowski kick)

WM--McAulay 30 pass from Phillips (Pate kick)

NCS--FG Czajkowski 39

NCS--FG Czajkowski 33

NCS--Underwood 10 run (Czajkowski kick)

WM--Cox 45 interception return (Pate kick)

WM--McAulay 25 pass from Archer (Pate kick).

A--56,694.

WM N.C. State

First downs 16 11

Rushes-yards 33-115 30-67

Passing 188 258

Comp-Att-Int 19-37-2 21-36-2

Return Yards 73 68

Punts-Avg. 9-45.3 9-41.0

Fumbles-Lost 3-2 1-0

Penalties-Yards 3-15 7-58

Time of Possession 29:56 30:04

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--William & Mary, Riggins 12-51, Grimes 8-30, Archer 3-26, Phillips 9-6, Woolfolk 1-2. N.C. State, Brown 17-43, Underwood 9-29, Beck 2-6, Team 1-(minus 1), D.Evans 1-(minus 10).

PASSING--William & Mary, Phillips 15-30-2-139, Archer 4-7-0-49. N.C. State, Beck 17-25-1-246, D.Evans 4-11-1-12.

RECEIVING--William & Mary, McAulay 6-99, C.Hill 4-45, Grimes 4-5, Varno 3-31, Riggins 1-5, Woolfolk 1-3. N.C. State, Spencer 5-82, Bryan 5-41, Graham 3-78, Brown 2-9, James 2-9, Ja.Williams 1-22, Underwood 1-10, Gentry 1-5, Kushner 1-2.