Beck In, Pressley Out as Pack Looks to End Losing Streak

Believe it or not, N.C. State leads the ACC in passing offense. Lost in the shuffle of Harrison Beck's five-interception day against Boston College was the team's collective 351 passing yards in that same game.

In Tom O'Brien's mind, the positives must outweigh the negatives with his quarterback, because for the second straight week, the sophomore transfer will get the start.

"After looking at the tape and evaluating the situation, I think that he still gives us the best opportunity to win the football game," O'Brien said.

"He took us on a 98-yard drive, he made two great throws on that series," O'Brien said. "Right before the half, we get the ball back with two minutes left at the 30-some-yard line and he takes us to the other 20 in a hurry-up offense situation, puts us in position and makes a mistake at that point."

The coach added that when things went wrong and Beck's passes went to defenders instead of receivers, there were often other factors that considerably affected to which team the throw went.

Pass protection and receivers' miscues were two areas of note.

"You have to protect him first and give him a chance to throw. The wide receivers have to run the correct routes and at their depth and be where they're supposed to be and when they're supposed to be there," O'Brien said.

O'Brien said Beck approached him after practice Sunday night, unpleased with his performance and committed to improving in the weeks to come.

"He was rededicating himself to this football team," O'Brien said. "And [dedicating himself] to do the best job at practice this week that we would see a much better quarterback come Saturday in executing the offense the same way Dana Bible and I want executed."

O'Brien said that he hoped Beck would respond by looking at game film in the same way that the rest of the team responded after watching themselves against Central Florida.

With the team situated in a nine-game losing streak, O'Brien said Beck and the rest of the team need to get in the win column.

"You've got to learn how to win. And there's no time like the present to start doing that," O'Brien said.

A performance like the one against Boston College in front of the home crowd won't go over well with Pack fans, especially considering the stakes are now raised for a much-needed win, but O'Brien seems confident that Beck will be much improved come this week.

Starting defensive tackle Alan Michael Cash will return to the lineup this weekend. Cash missed the Boston College game to attend his father's funeral.

-The Pack's pass defense now ranks 9th nationally and is tops among ACC teams allowing just 117.5 yards per game. The longest pass play allowed all season is a 21-yard completion in the Central Florida game.

-However, the run defense has given up 218.5 ypg. State's next opponent, Wofford, runs the wishbone/triple option offense.

-State is already -8 in turnover margin. The defense has one takeaway, while the offense has seven interceptions and two fumbles.

-The Sept. 22 game against Clemson now has a start time (noon) and a television provider (Lincoln Financial).