Doeren: Leary Will Play at BC on Saturday

Bailey Hockman is still the Wolfpack's starting quarterback, but coach Dave Doeren says his backup will also see action

NC State football coach Dave Doeren had some positive things to say about the progress of new starting quarterback Bailey Hockman on Thursday. But he was just as complementary about the work being done Hockman's backup Devin Leary.

When asked if that meant we'll see Leary for a series or two in Saturday's game at Boston College, as was the case last week against Syracuse, Doeren answered definitively.

"Yeah," he said. "You will."

Here's what Doeren had to say about both his young quarterbacks during his final pre-BC media availability on Thursday:

"Both (Hockman) and Devin have gotten more confident and the game reps have helped them slow things down. He was competitive at Florida State when he wasn't the starter. You saw his guts in that game and I thought last week he came out, he was very level-headed. He's an even-keel guy, doesn't get up-and-down. I like that about him and Devin. But the more they play the better they're going to get. They've had a lot of teachable moments these last two games that can help them."

On the subject of quarterbacks, Doeren also addressed BC's situation -- in which backup Dennis Grosel will be making his first career start in place of an injured Anthony Brown.

Grosel, a former walkon, was 9 of 24 for 111 yards, three touchdowns and an interception against Louisville two weeks ago after Brown went down with his season-ending injury.

Doeren praised Grosel and said he doesn't believe BC will change its game plan significantly with the 6-foot-1, 220-pound sophomore running its offense.

"Watching him come in the last game, it was the same play calls. Obviously I can't predict what they're going to do, but it doesn't look like they're changing their offense with him. He's a dual-threat guy. I'd be shocked if it's any different than it's been."

Doeren was also asked about the motivation his ACC-leading run defense has in facing the conference's top ground gainer A.J. Dillon.

"It's absolutely a motivation. These guys want to play well every week. If you can hold a back that's as good as (Dillon) to less than he's used to having, that says a lot for our guys. It's something that anytime you play a guy that's as good as him -- and he had a great game against us two years ago -- you want try to do your best not to let that happen."