Open date gives Wolfpack a chance to re-evaluate

Doeren says focus will be on rest, correcting mistakes and a renewed quarterback competition

Rob Kinnan/USAToday sports

The first of two open dates this season has come at a good time for the NC State football team, coach Dave Doeren said Wednesday.

Making the comments on his regular weekly radio show, Doeren said that the time off gives the Wolfpack an opportunity to rest and reflect on the mistakes that need to be corrected and the areas that need improvement as it prepares for the bulk of its ACC schedule to come.

"We needed to give our guys a chance to get off the practice field a little bit and give our staff a chance to evaluate where we’re at," Doeren said. "To look at the schemes, look at ourselves and put together a plan moving forward.”

Coming off a loss at Florida State, Doeren said that State (3-2, 0-1 ACC) has a lot of work to do before returning to action next Thursday against ACC Atlantic rival Syracuse at Carter-Finley Stadium.

He identified the need to eliminate presnap penalties on offense, creating more takeaways on defense and getting healthy again as the some of the main focuses of the week without a game.

To that end, Doeren and his staff gave their players some time off before returning to the practice field on Wednesday. He said the workout went as well as can be expected, considering the conditions.

“It’s hard to keep their focus when it’s 97 degree weather, in October no less for a two-hour practice," he said. "The kids came out and had great energy.

"It’s challenging from a fatigue standpoint, but the guys did a good job. They’ll come back (Thursday) and get another good one in before we give them a break. They won’t be on the field again until Sunday, so we’ll have a nice 48-hour window to hit the reset button and come back to work.”

Between now and then, Doeren will have a big decision to make.

With backup Bailey Hockman having replaced starter Matthew McKay during Friday's game in Tallahassee and third stringer Devin Leary also getting a chance to show off a strong, accurate arm in late mopup duty, the Wolfpack's quarterback situation is as muddled as ever.

Doeren indicated that the competition between the three has been reopened and that the starting job is as up for grabs as it was during preseason camp.

"I think Bailey and Devin have done enough and shown us enough where they’re going to help us," Doeren said. "Time will tell where this thing ends up.”

Co-offensive coordinator Des Kitchings, appearing as a guest on Doeren's show, said that he's confident in the ability of all three quarterbacks. He added that he's encouraged by the improvement showed by all of State's young players and believes it's only a matter of time before all that young talent begins to blossom.

“There is some sense of being patient, but collegiate football is a production business, so we know we have to produce,." Kitchings said. "Are we there yet? By no means. Are we seeing some growth? Yes we are? We know we have some things we have to improve on. One thing, our kids are great kids and they’re doing what we’re asking them to do.”