Like everybody else, I’m very interested to see how Daniel Evans will fair in his first start as the quarterback for N.C. State.
The decision by the Pack coaching staff to replace Marcus Stone was a little surprising, but not totally. Stone, who was a highly recruited quarterback coming out of high school, has had plenty of chances, but obviously, the coaching staff -- at least for the moment -- had lost confidence in him.
At times, he looked like he was ready to put it all together almost to the top of the mountain but just couldn't quite get there. Sometimes, he looked like he couldn’t throw it in the ocean standing 10 feet from it. His inability to pass consistently made State’s offense way too predictable, and they were paying the price for that. Maybe sitting and watching a bit will help, although he's done that before.
One thing about Daniel Evans -- he was a prolific high-school passer. His senior year at Broughton, he threw for 3,796 yards and 37 touchdowns. And that was against pretty good competition. Evans was not highly recruited, but he’s a kid who knows the game. He’s a student of the game of football, and I’m hoping that he will get the opportunity to throw the ball down the field. In interviews this week, he seemed calm and poised and ready for the chance. What a way to make a debut on national television against Boston College! No pressure, huh?
I’ll be watching and also at the same time, listening to see how his dad, former State quarterback and current Pack analyst Johnny Evans calls it on the Wolfpack Sports Network. Johnny taught Daniel the game, studied it with him and is a big reason this moment has arrived. All parties have said that Johnny will, by far, be the most nervous.
If Evans can pass as well as he did in the fourth quarter of the Southern Miss. loss, it will open up some things. Of course, the line has to block and the defense needs to stop somebody. But as the coach says, this is the start of a new season, and in this ACC, just about every team has a chance. So, we'll see.
State's taking a chance in a big game with a very inexperienced quarterback -- no question about it -- but they need something to happen, something good to happen. And you never know until you try. Who knows? The skinny kid who grew up loving the Pack may be the answer.
