Glennon has ups, downs in debut
It was not long for North Carolina to call the number Mike Glennon in 43-21 win over Liberty on Saturday.
The first play from scrimmage was designed to Glennon downfield to take a picture. The big junior quarterback, who has waited three years to start again, published a false game running back James Washington and fired a pass down the left receiver TJ Graham.
The problem was the security of Liberty did not bite on play action pass and hit the double cover of Graham.
In his second pass, Glennon threw double coverage, too, more than half to tight end George Bryan. Later, he admitted he was eager Glennon.
"I probably tried to do too much," Glennon said Saturday night after the game.
Much of the attention in the offseason, from North Carolina State finished 9-4 and No. 25 in the country in 2010, has been in the transition to quarterback Russell Wilson, who moved to Wisconsin after a split with coach Tom O'Brien, Glennon.
While Wilson posted spectacular numbers (10-of-13, 255 yards, two touchdowns and a career TD passes of 46 yards) in a 51-17 loss to UNLV on national television Thursday night in Wisconsin, the final numbers Glennon were more modest.
He completed 18 of 31 for 156 yards and a touchdown. He did not throw an interception but was sacked four times.
"We have to help him out, and get better, because it will work on it," said O'Brien in his game after the intervention.
O'Brien said he had passed too soon and not enough attention to the running game.
"You just can not do that. I do not care how good you think your quarterback is," said O'Brien.
Glennon began after 11-for-21 with 97 yards in the first half, the running game became the focus in the second half.
Curtis Underwood rushed for 90 of his best games of 114 yards in the second half, including a 33-yard touchdown. Washington won 42 of his 67 yards in the second half with a run of 19 yards.
"We were a little slow on offense, especially in the first half," said O'Brien. "We came in the second half and said we were going to run the ball, and I think we succeeded."
Glennon debut as a starter was a bit of everything, both good and bad. He hit some good shots over the middle, Jay Smith and Quintin Payton, and showed some mobility. But there were also shots of high, low and a fumble that was forced into a campaign for Freedom Walt Aikens corner and defensive end Francis Bah returned for a touchdown of an advantage for early release (03/07 to 13:30 in the second quarter).
Glennon was more accurate in the second half, with the first state run mentality, and knocked October 7 passes for 59 yards with a touchdown pass from three yards to tight end Mario Carter in the fourth quarter.
As for the overall results, Glennon said he would grade the coaches that the review of the film. He was happy to get the win but was realistic about the challenges of the future, which was led by a defense that caused seven turnovers.
Glennon has ups, downs in debut
