Leary can't find a rhythm in first career start

The redshirt freshman was intercepted twice in State's 44-10 loss at Wake Forest on Saturday

Jeremy Brevard/USAToday sports

WINSTON-SALEM -- Six straight NC State quarterbacks had won their first career start, from Mike Glennon in 2011 to Baliey Hockman just last month.

It's a streak that ended on Saturday at Wake Forest with Devin Leary.

The redshirt freshman, who played so well in a relief role two weeks ago in his first extended action at Boston College, struggled against the Deacons. He completed just 37 percent of his passes for 149 yards and was intercepted twice in a 44-10 loss at BB&T Field.

“For any football player not being able to produce, it’s frustrating as a player obviously," Leary said. "We don’t really take it out on ourselves, we just understand that we need to get better. It’s a learning experience and now we are onto the next week.”

Leary's day got off to a promising enough start with completions on three of his first four attempts and a pair of first downs. But a sack helped bring the opening drive to a premature end and things went downhill quickly from there.

By the time the Wolfpack got the ball back a second time, it was already down 14-0 thanks to a fumbled kickoff return by freshman Keyon Lesane.

The situation got even worse shortly thereafter when an underthrown pass downfield by Leary was picked off by the Deacons' Amari Henderson, setting up yet another Wake touchdown that put State into a 21-point hole just 11 1/2 minutes into the game.

"He was in a difficult situation, being down 21-0 and they were able to defend the coverages at that point," Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said of the big early deficit.

Leary didn't exactly agree.

“I wouldn’t say it was really difficult, only because there was a lot of game left. It was only the first quarter," Leary said. "Just being able to trust those guys, to trust the defense, I know I trust the offense completely as well. Being able to stick to our gameplan, really.”

It was actually a change in strategy that finally seemed to get the Wolfpack going after Wake added a field goal to extend its lead to 24-0.

Instead of trying to throw downfield, co-offensive coordinators Des Kitchings and George McDonald began dialing up a quicker, shorter series of passes. 

Aided by a pair of nice runs by Jordan Houston and Trent Pennix, along with a roughing the passer penalty that converted a third-and-long, Leary was able to drive his team 75 yards on 10 plays for State's first score of the game.

Leary completed a 3-yard pass to tight end Cary Angeline in the end zone for the touchdown.

“I would say it was just getting into a rhythm, playing with tempo,' Leary said of succesful drive. "Making sure that everyone was on the same page and communicating well, and making sure everyone was in a good rhythm.”

One series later, Leary got State into range for a 40-yard Christopher Dunn field goal.

But that was the extent of the Wolfpack's offense for the game.

Leary's first pass of the second half was intercepted, again by Henderson, beginning a dismal 30 minutes that saw him complete only three of his 11 attempts and misfiring on his final nine attempts.

As a team, State mustered only 88 total yards and five first downs over the final two periods.

 “I think we struggled a little bit getting into a rhythm," Leary said. "We’re definitely capable of doing it, for sure, but we just have to take it one play at a time before we jump ahead.”