NC State Football

Ryan Finley is heading to the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

The former Boise State Broncos quarterback is reportedly transferring to the Wolfpack to play under offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz, who coached Finley at Boise State, according to Jared Shanker of ESPN.com.

Shanker noted Finley, a graduate transfer, will be able to play immediately and has two years of eligibility remaining.

The former 3-star recruit from Phoenix, per 247Sports, didn't see much playing time after joining Boise State as part of the 2013 class, appearing in only seven games in two seasons while throwing three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Season	Yards	Touchdowns	Interceptions	Comp. %	Record
2014	161	2	1	44.4	3-1
2015	485	1	4	65.7	2-1

On April 12, Boise State announced Finley intended to transfer after quarterback Brett Rypien, last year's Mountain West Freshman of the Year, established himself as Boise State's starter at the conclusion of spring practices, according to Dave Southorn of the Idaho Statesman.

North Carolina State's starting quarterback last year, Jacoby Brissett, landed with the New England Patriots in the third round of this year's NFL draft. Only one quarterback on the Wolfpack's current roster, redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon, threw a pass last season.

Due to North Carolina State's lack of depth at the position, Finley should have a chance to be the starting quarterback in 2016.

The NFL offseason may be just a little too long for Philip Rivers.

So long, in fact, that during a visit to his alma mater, he jokingly considered slipping back into a North Carolina State uniform for some spring football.

"Can I play today, coach? Daggum!" the San Diego Chargers quarterback laughed, so fired up from delivering an inspirational pregame speech of epic proportions.

With his passion, knowledge and Southern drawl, it's difficult not to get swept up by messages such as, "You play hard, you play tough and you play together."

And if the speech left the kind of impact on the Wolfpack that it did on Rivers, then perhaps the signal-caller should consider a repeat performance at Qualcomm Stadium.

[NC State Pack Football, h/t For The Win]

The Moss football family tree will branch out again to the college football ranks, as Thaddeus Moss, the son of former NFL superstar Randy Moss, announced his commitment to N.C. State on Saturday.

The younger Moss—the nation’s No. 18 tight end, per 247Sports—chose the Wolfpack over Texas A&M, but he also took visits to USC and UCLA and fielded offers from a slew of top-tier schools, including Georgia, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and West Virginia, the state in which his father grew up. 

He announced his decision on Twitter, posting a picture with head coach Dave Doeren at an N.C. State basketball game:

I'm beyond blessed to announce that I will be shutting down my recruitment and committing to Nc State❗️❗️❗️#Pack16 pic.twitter.com/rKPgAd8z6o

— Thaddeus Moss (@Thaddeusmoss) January 23, 2016

The 3-star tight end is a 6’3”, 240-pound prospect out of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, and said location and loyalty were the primary factors in his decision.   

"It just felt right," Moss said, per Tom VanHaaren of ESPN.com. "It's close to home, it felt right, and they kept it real with me from day one. N.C. State was the first team to offer, and loyalty was rewarded.”

He also said the prospect of playing immediately weighed heavily on his commitment. 

"I believe in Coach Doeren and his vision with the program. I'll have early playing time, tight ends are vital in the offense, and the coaching staff has kept it real with me since day one,” Moss said, per Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.

The Wolfpack return starter David Grinnage and underclassman Cole Cook, but neither had a remarkable season in 2015, meaning Moss could contribute early.

Randy Moss was a college star for two seasons at Marshall before leading a Hall of Fame-worthy career in the NFL. With the Thundering Herd, he was a statistical machine, compiling 20.3 yards per catch with 54 total touchdowns and 15 games eclipsing 100 receiving yards. 

His son appreciates those accolades but wants to establish his own milestones away from his father’s shadow. Moss said he leaned on his dad some during the recruiting process but that the decision was all his, per VanHaaren:

For the most part, he really let me go about the process on my own. I asked for his opinion and for him to sit down with the coaches and talk, but I asked for that these last few weeks. He voiced his opinion, and we had in-depth conversations about what was best for me and what was best for the family.

N.C. State finished 7-6 last season yet was third in the ACC in scoring (33.2 points per game), behind only Clemson and North Carolina, the two teams that played for the conference title. 

On Saturday, the North Carolina State Wolfpack football program confirmed a recent Sports Illustrated report that noted the team fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada following a 7-6 season that ended with a 51-28 Belk Bowl loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, per Joe Giglio of the News & Observer.

The firing may seem like it comes at an odd time considering Canada signed a three-year contract extension in January 2015 and the Wolfpack averaged 32.2 points per games this season—two more points than the previous season and nearly 10 more than their 2013 campaign. 

However, Giglio responded to one of his Twitter followers who questioned the firing with a point referencing North Carolina State's inability to score in two key conference games:

I understand your point but 13 points each in key losses to Louisville and Virginia Tech https://t.co/0R1ik31OtQ

— Joe Giglio (@giglio_OG) January 3, 2016

Although the Wolfpack did score 41 points in a loss to Clemson, they also only tallied 17 against the Florida State Seminoles and had just 21 against Mississippi State until the final minute of the game. 

Canada may not be out of a job for long considering North Carolina State was not the only team interested in the coach leading its offense.

ESPN's Brett McMurphy confirmed around the time he signed his extension last year, Canada was one of three finalists for the offensive coordinator position with the Tennessee Volunteers.

North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Matthew Dayes suffered a foot injury during Week 9 against Clemson.

Continue for updates.

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Dayes Out for Season

Thursday, Nov. 5

Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren announced Dayes will undergo surgery Friday and miss the final four games of the season.

"I'm disappointed for Matt because he was having a really good year," Doeren said. "But in football you've got to have a 'next man up' mentality, and I'm confident that his teammates will be ready to take on bigger roles and be successful."

Dayes trails only FSU’s Dalvin Cook and Clemson’s Wayne Gallman among ACC running backs with 865 yards, and leads the conference with 12 rushing scores. The junior’s 108.1 rush yards per game this year are the most in school history since Joe McIntosh's 119 average in 1981, according to NC State.

The Wolfpack will lean on sophomore Dakwa Nichols and freshman Reggie Gallaspy, who’ve combined for a respectable 411 yards and nine touchdowns on 59 carries. But Dayes’ absence will assuredly handcuff a team already low in the ACC Atlantic totem pole.    

The North Carolina State Wolfpack raced out to an 18-point lead behind a highlight-reel effort from quarterback Jacoby Brissett and hung on to beat Central Florida 34-27 in the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl.

The star junior transfer from Florida stole the show for much of the game. Then, a thunder-and-lightning rushing attack from Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes stretched the lead. 

NC State needed every bit of the cushion, too, as UCF quarterback Justin Holman led the pesky Knights back, but an onside kick wasn't recovered late, and the Wolfpack capped their comeback season with an 8-5 record. The Knights fell to 9-4.

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	A+	A
Run Offense	C-	B
Pass Defense	C+	C
Run Defense	B+	A
Special Teams	A	B
Coaching	A	B

NC State Game Analysis

Pass Offense

Brissett continued the resurrection of his career to cap off a season that saw him throw 23 touchdowns and just five picks. As he has much of the year, Brissett evaded pressure with his nimble feet, stepped up in the pocket and found various receivers for big gains. He was calm, poised and competitive.

Though he didn't put up massive numbers, he was extremely effective, and he had a near-perfect game other than taking a sack at the end of the first half that cost the Pack points.

Pack went from 3 to 8 wins, won 4 of last 5 and was one of youngest teams in CFB. Headed in great direction.

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 27, 2014

Run Offense

Following a stagnant first half when it seemed Brissett was the only real ground threat, the Pack found their sea legs after the break. In a dominant third quarter, Thornton and Dayes combined to take UCF out of the game.

The duo wound up rushing for 174 combined yards, and Brissett added more than 30 of his own. Dayes had two scoring runs, and the Pack wound up with 187 rushing yards. The 3.8 average wasn't great, but there were big plays all night.

Pass Defense

Justin Holman got his passing yards and (frustratingly) had three touchdown passes to Josh Reese, but the Pack did get an interception from Josh Jones. Also, Holman threw the ball 53 times, but he was nowhere near completing 50 percent of his passes and still didn't get to 300 yards. Yeah, there were some big plays NCSU would like to have back, but it was still a stellar performance.

Run Defense

Any time you can hold a rushing offense as good as UCF's to fewer than 100 yards, that's a strong showing. Star runner William Stanback wound up with just 12 carries for 38 yards as the Pack took UCF's running game completely out of the game.

Special Teams

As excellent as Niklas Sade was, he gets docked a little for missing the 47-yard field goal that would have iced the game and put it out of reach. Yeah, that's a little tough to dock a kicker for missing one so long, but that was a big one, and he's the best kicker in the history of the school. Wil Baumann averaged 46.5 yards over four punts. All in all, a good night.

Pack downs UCF 34-27 to win final 3 games of 2014 season, 4 of final 5 overall - +5 game improvement! #STATEment pic.twitter.com/p73x2zBQQD

— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 27, 2014

Coaching

Dave Doeren had a perfect game plan for the first three quarters, and offensive coordinator Matt Canada dialed up some really stellar play calls that worked. But it's frustrating when a coach gets ultra-conservative at the end of the game, and it nearly cost him. Doeren was just trying to hang on at the end. Ultimately, his team did, so it's all good.

Positional Unit	First-Half Grades	Final Grades
Pass Offense	B	C
Run Offense	D	F
Pass Defense	D	D
Run Defense	A	C-
Special Teams	A	A
Coaching	C	C-

UCF Game Analysis

Pass Offense

There were times on Friday night when Justin Holman showed flashes of NFL potential.

Then, there were others where he looked like an unseasoned sophomore. Holman is an immense, unpolished talent, and he nearly led his team back. But he had some terrible overthrows, and he also was intercepted once on the night. It really could have been twice.

All in all, it was a nice performance in his first bowl start, but it wasn't good enough. He'll be back.

Run Offense

This was pretty much a disaster. The NC State defense was stellar all night in the front seven, to the point where UCF coach George O'Leary abandoned the run totally. With the Knights down by 18, he went exclusively to the air, and any hope for balance was lost. They finished with 82 yards and a 2.9 average.

Pass Defense

Too many times, there were breakdowns and busts in a secondary that had been among college football's best this year. Brissett bought time with his feet, and the Knights defensive backs didn't stick with plays. On one quick-strike drive in particular that eventually made the score 31-13, UCF was just lost in the backfield. That can't happen against a quarterback as good as Brissett.

Run Defense

The strength of UCF's team was very strong in a first half where it took over the game at times in the front seven. But when the Wolfpack charged out of the locker room after halftime, they pummeled the Knights with Thornton and Dayes, and there was no answer. They flat-out won the game on the ground in the third quarter, and they made UCF like it.

Special Teams

It was pretty much a flawless game from a special teams standpoint as Shawn Moffitt made both his field goals, and Caleb Houston averaged 42.8 yards per punt. The Wolfpack had just one opportunity to return a kick all night. UCF was stellar here.

Coaching

O'Leary is known for being a very good game-day coach, but Doeren had his number tonight. With the game being virtually in UCF's backyard, you'd have expected the Knights to come out fired up, ride the crowd momentum and soar to their third consecutive 10-win season.

Instead, they were flat defensively, and it took them too long to wake up. Like most O'Leary-coached teams, they didn't quit and they were right there in the end, but there were too many lapses for this to be a good grade.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.

Dave Doeren and the North Carolina State Wolfpack scored a huge win on the recruiting trail by landing a commitment from 4-star all-purpose back Nyheim Hines on Friday, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.

The nation's No. 2 all-purpose back Nyheim Hines commits to #NCState: http://t.co/nkHo4lmnGv

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) December 19, 2014

The 5’9”, 187-pounder committed to the Wolfpack over offers from Duke, Florida, Virginia Tech and West Virginia among others.

Landing a pledge from Hines—who is rated as the No. 2 all-purpose back in the 2015 class and the No. 123 player overall—gives N.C. State their highest-ranked offensive commitment in their 2015 class.

But what will Hines bring to the Wolfpack’s offense?

For starters, he’s also a track standout who ranks as one of the fastest players in the country for the 2015 class.

His listed time in the 40-yard dash is 4.34 seconds.

According to Evan Watkins of VTScoop (subscription required), Hines has a twin sister who is also a budding track star.

Hines admits he grew up a fan of the Wolfpack, and the fact that they offered his sister likely played a role in his decision to head to Raleigh for college.

“I think [NC State] is a great school and they are one of my top favorites. I grew up a fan there so I am happy about my offer and they offered my sister,” Hines told Watkins.

As a junior, Hines racked up absurd totals of 3,137 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns while averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

Per MaxPreps, he rushed for 2,118 yards as a senior.

Given that Hines is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield, Doeren can also utilize his talents in the passing game in an effort to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties in space.

The Wolfpack also have a commitment from 3-star running back Reggie Gallaspy—who, at 205 pounds, is a bigger back that is the perfect complement to a back such as Hines.

Just as big as his commitment was for the Wolfpack’s on-field efforts, it’s also huge from a momentum standpoint in helping rebuild the program as a potential ACC contender.

In keeping Hines close to home, Doeren and his staff’s push to keep the state of North Carolina’s top talent within state borders is gaining steam.

Hines is the third in-state pledge to be ranked among North Carolina’s Top 10 prospects—which is the first time the Wolfpack have landed as many top homegrown prospects since the 2010 class.

Considering that Hines is one of the most explosive playmakers in the 2015 class, he now becomes a candidate to step in and give the Wolfpack’s offense an immediate boost next fall.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani

North Carolina State junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett may not have been a household name entering Saturday's clash against No. 1 Florida State, but after a remarkable performance in a 56-41 loss to the nation's top team, that will change.

Brissett's brilliant showing yielded this stat line:

C/Att	Yds	Avg	TD	INT
32/48	359	7.5	3	0

The 6'4", 231-pound signal-caller didn't take long to make his presence felt against the Seminoles. After his first pass of the game to David Grinnage went for 21 yards, he evaded a pass-rusher and let one loose down the middle of the field, hitting Bo Hines in stride en route to a 51-yard touchdown.

After just two passes, perhaps the Florida Gators began to feel the effects of the quarterback's departure—Brissett spent two years there before transferring to North Carolina State. Kevin Brockway of GatorSports.com seemed to think so:

Jacoby Brissett 2 of 2 75 yds TD for NC State v FSU. Decision to go w Driskel over Brissett looking worse and worse for #Gators.

— Gatorhoops (@gatorhoops) September 27, 2014

Later in the first quarter, Brissett went back to work. After a 45-yard completion to Grinnage brought the Wolfpack within striking distance, the quarterback showed his ability to shed would-be tacklers once more, evading two defenders and hitting Johnathan Alston for an eight-yard touchdown.

Here's a look at Brissett's ridiculous strength and mobility:

ESPN ACC tweeted an interesting comparison following the play:

Jacoby Brissett dances out of 2 sure sacks, tossed 8-yard TD. It looked… um, just like Jameis last year.

— ESPN ACC (@ESPN_ACC) September 27, 2014

Through the first half, Brissett's numbers were very impressive. In fact, he was faring better than Florida State's Jameis Winston to that point. Here's a look at their side-by-side stats, via 120 Sports:

No. 1 #FSU trails at half for 2nd straight week, 24-21 vs. NC State
•Brissett: 215 yds, 2 TD
•Winston: 210 yds, 2 TD pic.twitter.com/3g34Y2rlTR

— Stadium (@Stadium) September 27, 2014

With his team clinging to a three-point lead early in the third quarter, Brissett performed his best magic trick of the day. North Carolina State's offensive line crumbled, allowing the quarterback to be swarmed by defenders. Somehow, someway, he managed to get a pass off to Matt Dayes while sitting atop a fallen pass-rusher. The play went for eight yards.

ESPN ACC's tweet following that play pretty much summed up how every single onlooker felt in that moment:

Fun fact: Jacoby Brissett’s middle name is Houdini. Probably.

— ESPN ACC (@ESPN_ACC) September 27, 2014

Later in the drive—which included a Brissett 19-yard scramble out of a collapsing pocket—the Wolfpack offense faced a 1st-and-goal on the Seminoles' 10-yard line. Brissett delivered a perfect strike to Dayes, capping off one of the most brilliantly engineered drives we've seen from any quarterback this season.

SportsCenter tweeted Brissett's updated stats following the score:

NC State strikes again! Jacoby Brissett leading the way with 233 Pass Yds, 3 Pass TD, 64 Rush Yds as Wolfpack lead No. 1 FSU, 31-21.

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 27, 2014

Finding himself under continuous pressure, Brissett was sacked and stripped of the football late in the third quarter. This allowed the Seminoles to take their first lead of the game. Later, utilizing quick, underneath throws, Brissett orchestrated a methodical drive deep into Florida State territory yet again. However, the rush got to him one more time, forcing another fumble which was recovered by the Seminoles.

Although, after a Winston interception, Brissett was given another chance. A 13-yard completion to Alston kicked things off, but the quarterback was briefly injured after a five-yard scamper on second down. After an incomplete pass by backup quarterback Garrett Leatham on third down, the team settled for a field goal.

Unfortunately for Brissett and the Wolfpack, Florida State was effective enough on the ensuing drive to kill most of the clock—and the Wolfpack's hopes of an upset—with a solid running game that produced another Seminoles touchdown.

Despite the loss, the future looks bright for Brissett. He was already performing well heading into Saturday's contest, completing 69.7 percent of his passes this season for 1,005 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception for a rating of 166.7. Now, Brissett proved he can produce against difficult opposition.

ESPN ACC tweeted one final comment upon the game's conclusion: 

#NCState won’t win this game, but hats off to Jacoby Brissett who has been really, really impressive.

— ESPN ACC (@ESPN_ACC) September 27, 2014

After his brilliant performance in the national spotlight, we'll be hearing his name more often.

Looking at the Wolfpack's remaining schedule, games at Clemson and Louisville will be challenging; however, considering the way Brissett has been playing, there's no denying the possibility of this team winning out. If that turns out to be the case, we may also hear his name mentioned in Heisman discussions.

With seven games left on North Carolina State's slate this season, we can expect this human highlight reel to provide plenty more fireworks.

North Carolina State will salute two of its most celebrated former football players, quarterback Russell Wilson and defensive lineman Mario Williams, by honoring their jerseys during the spring game on April 12 (for Wilson) and a to-be-determined home game in the 2014 season (for Williams).

Per John Taylor of College Football Talk, the school released an official statement announcing the news, but noted that their numbers could still be worn with a commemorative patch by future Wolfpack players:

NCSU announced via a press release that the reigning Super Bowl-winning quarterback, along with former defensive standout Mario Williams, will have their respective jerseys—No. 16 for the former, No. 9 for the latter—honored to commemorate their Wolfpack playing careers.  The release stated that the jersey numbers “will continue to be worn by standout Wolfpack players.”  However, “[i]n the future, any player designated by the head coach to wear those numbers will also wear a patch honoring Wilson or Williams.”

Wilson played his first three seasons at North Carolina State before transferring to Wisconsin for a graduate year and leading the Badgers to the Rose Bowl. In his time with the Wolfpack, he completed 58 percent of his 1,180 passes for 8,545 yards, 76 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.

According to J.P. Giglio of The News & Observer, a baseball-related schism developed between Wilson—who had just been drafted by the Colorado Rockies—and then-head coach Tom O'Brien, which led to the release from his scholarship and transfer to Wisconsin. However, in a quote the school released in Tuesday's statement, Wilson made it sound like there were no hard feelings between he and the university.

His exact words, per Taylor:

This is truly an amazing honor and I am looking forward to being back in Raleigh and Carter-Finley Stadium. My experience at NC State was an amazing one playing football and baseball but also accomplishing my goal of graduating in three years. My memories of playing as the quarterback for the Wolfpack are never-ending and the roar of the Wolfpack Nation still rings in my ear from memorable wins against FSU and UNC!

I learned the value of great leadership, ultimate sacrifice, and the relentless belief that hard work pays off. I am grateful for all of my amazing teammates and players past, present, and future. I can still taste and sense the blood, sweat, and tears we all sacrificed to be successful.

Williams, meanwhile, started during his freshman year in 2003 and eventually become one of the better college defenders of the decade. He had 14.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in 2005, his final season, before being selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft by the Houston Texans—one spot ahead of USC running back Reggie Bush.

He and Wilson are arguably two of the best players to ever suit up in Raleigh, and they have continued their success at the highest level, combining to make five Pro Bowls in nine aggregate seasons.

Wilson, of course, also just led the Seattle Seahawks to a 43-8 rout of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Both men are wildly deserving of this honor.

Follow Brian Leigh on Twitter: @BLeighDAT

Third time’s the charm?

That’s exactly what quarterback Pete Thomas must be thinking after Pack Pride announced that he would be transferring from North Carolina State following his graduation in May:

Wherever Thomas lands, it will mark the third stop of his collegiate career. Prior to his arrival in Raleigh, N.C., in 2012, he played two seasons at Colorado State in 2010 and 2011.

Although he only spent two years with N.C. State, Thomas was grateful for the opportunity.

“I want to thank Coach [Dave] Doeren, my teammates and all the fans,” the El Cajon, Calif., native told Pack Pride. “I have great respect for this staff and I believe they will turn this program around. I’m proud that I will earn my degree from such a great university.”

Last season, Thomas appeared in nine games for the Wolfpack, making six starts. He threw for 1,667 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 60.3 percent completion rate while adding another 162 yards and two scores on the ground.

However, due to his struggles, the team didn’t think twice before turning to senior Brandon Mitchell under center for the majority of the second half of the season.

Now, North Carolina State is in somewhat of a bind, as both quarterbacks will be leaving. Mitchell is set to graduate.

Soon-to-be senior Jacoby Brissett is expected to be a front-runner for the job heading into spring practice.

“Pete [Thomas] has been a great teammate and a very positive representative of NC State athletics,” Doeren told Pack Pride. “I have really enjoyed coaching him and want him to be successful as a player and in life. Going forward, I will do anything I can to help him through his transition as a transfer.”

No need to worry, coach. As The Charlotte Observer’s Jonathan Jones notes, Thomas seems to have it all figured out:

Can he follow in the footsteps of former Wolfpack quarterback and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson?

Only time will tell.

All stats and rankings used in this article are courtesy of CFBStats.com.

For complete coverage and everything college football, you can reach Sebastian on Facebook, Twitter and via email at Sebastian.LenaBR@gmail.com.