Evans Looks to Repeat Success Against FSU

When N.C. State edged Florida State 24-20 on Oct. 5 last season, the Wolfpack was 2-0 in the ACC against two division opponents and Chuck Amato had seemingly stood up from the hot seat, at least for the moment.

But a lot has changed since then. The Pack has not won an ACC game, or even a game against a Division I-A school since that upset nearly one year ago. There’s a new coach, a new system, and a lot of injuries.

But at least one factor remains constant for the team that beat Florida State last season and the team that will travel to Tallahassee this Saturday—quarterback Daniel Evans.

“It feels like it’s been forever with all I’ve been through,” Evans said. “So many different things: the lows and highs and things and [the] ends of outs of the season and the coaching change and everything. We’re definitely in a different place than last year.”

The question for Evans: Is that “place” his team is in any better than last year?

“I think we’re getting there,” Evans said. “I know it probably doesn’t quite reflect it on the scoreboard quite yet, but I think we’re getting there.”

Evans will have fewer options this year, with injuries to Anthony Hill and Toney Baker, but said he is confident in his offensive options as much as last season.

“I definitely have confidence going into the game,” Evans said. “Not necessarily in myself, but in the guys that I have surrounding me."

Evans said with his receivers,"[I] just put the ball up there for them and let them go get it. We’ve got the same type of guys this year doing the same thing.”

Evans said he has matured since last season also, as he started seven conference games after the FSU upset on Oct. 5.

“I feel more comfortable and I feel I can do more this year, just because I was still trying to feel it out last year,” Evans said. “I think I know what to expect and know what I’m doing out there.”

As far as Florida State’s defense, Evans said the Pack expects a plethora of talent, but has a good feel for the defensive schemes.

“They have athletes,” Evans said. “Their defensive line and linebackers are always going to be great. And they’re always going to have speed in their defensive backfield. I’m sure they can change things up, but we know who we’re playing, and what to expect. They’ve been doing the same thing with same coordinator for years.”

Evans will also have to deal with a change in scenery from last season’s showdown. Though he insisted that his team would be prepared to deal with the noisy atmosphere of Doak Campbell Stadium, he admitted the Pack’s trip to Tallahassee two years ago “was the loudest I had heard a game.”

“They had blocked two punts on us two years ago down there,” Evans said. “And after that second blocked punt, I was just signaling plays, I wasn’t even playing, and it was pretty loud and noisy. We’re doing some stuff to work on it.”

Evans said he understands the importance of Saturday’s game. Not only will the Pack look to turn its dismal season around against a division rival, but Evans will face his former coach who first gave him a shot as a starting quarterback.

And if the game goes well for Evans, he may be able to keep his job even when Harrison Beck returns from injury, though he said he is more concerned with winning than starting.

“I’m not necessarily focusing on what’s going to happen after this game or anything,” Evans said. “All I can do is go out there and focus on winning the game and let the chips fall as they may after that.”