Early Look: NC State Facing Uncertainty at QB

A week ahead of its road matchup against No. 22 Clemson, NC State has some questions regarding the most important position on the field.

Starting quarterback Grayson McCall left the Wolfpack’s 30-20 win over Louisiana Tech. McCall was injured late in the second quarter with NC State trailing 17-6 and never returned.

True freshman CJ Bailey would come off the bench and lead the ‘Pack to the comeback victory, completing 13-of-20 passes for 156 yards with one interception.

Head coach Dave Doeren provided no real update after the game, saying he would provide more information during his Monday press conference.

“As far as Grayson goes, I’m not going to comment on his injury until I know exactly what’s going on,” Doeren said after the game. “You guys saw him. He was on the sideline after the game congratulating CJ (Bailey). Once I have information in my conference Monday, I’ll let you guys know where he stands, but I’m not going to speculate on it.”

What makes this even more interesting is the fact that the NC State offense has sputtered more than it has hummed with McCall as the triggerman. The transfer from Coastal Carolina has looked rather pedestrian at times early in the season.

Before a 21-point outburst in the fourth quarter in the season-opener against Western Carolina, McCall and the Wolfpack were trailing the Catamounts 21-17 entering the final stanza. Last week against Tennessee, McCall threw for just 104 yards in the 56-10 blowout loss.

With Bailey running the offense in the second half on Saturday, the ‘Pack racked up 244 yards of offense after managing just 117 in the first half with McCall.

After several key portal acquisitions in the offseason, including McCall, the Wolfpack had ACC Championship aspirations entering the season. NC State travels to Death Valley on Saturday (noon/ABC) looking to win its second straight against Clemson. Doeren’s team has won two of the past three in the series. The Tigers could very well find themselves having to prep for two different quarterbacks this week if McCall’s injury isn’t one that will cause him to miss more time.

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