Beck leads State to 34-24 win over William and Mary

In the end, it was the third-string quarterback that provided the offensive spark to give N.C. State a 34-24 victory over William and Mary.

Prior to the beginning of the season, coach Tom O’Brien trimmed the quarterback candidates to three, prompting the transfer of Justin Burke. Red-shirt junior Harrison Beck, who had already transferred from Nebraska after the 2005 season, decided to stay despite being the third option on the roster behind graduate Daniel Evans and red-shirt freshman Russell Wilson.

“I’m a competitor and when they told me that I thought, ‘I want to play. I don’t want sit around’,” Beck said. “I’ve got a lot of commitment and a lot of stuff invested at N.C. State. The opportunity to stay here would be much better for me than if I just picked up and left again. I have a nice foundation so far. I just want to keep progressing every day and build it”.

With Wilson on the sidelines after suffering a concussion during the South Carolina game and Evans struggling on the field, Beck got his chance.

Beck replaced Daniel Evans near the end of the first quarter after the offense failed to produce a single first down, despite leading the Tribe 7-0.

Evans finished the game 4-of-11 for 12 yards and 1 INT.

The lone touchdown was set up via linebacker Nate Irving’s interception inside the 10-yard line. Running back Andre Brown would score 2 plays later on a 3-yard run, which resulted in the most ironic call of the game.

The Wolfpack was assessed a 15-yard kick off penalty after Andre Brown saluted in celebration of his TD. It seems the referees didn’t appreciate his nod to military appreciation day.

Once Beck was called into the game he made the most of his opportunity. State finally converted a first down with 1:17 remaining in the second half. Two plays later, Beck completed a 22-yard pass to Jarvis Williams to give the Pack a 14-0 advantage.

State remained ahead the rest of the game.

“Tonight I went into the game and my job was to give the plays to Daniel,” Beck said. “Things took a different turn and when they did I was just ready for the opportunity.”

Not to be outdone, Irving led the defense with 13 tackles and tallied 1 INT and 1 fumble recovery.

Coincidentally, one of the Pack’s leading receivers was third-string tight end George Bryan, who tallied 5 receptions for 41 yards and 1 TD. Bryan, a red-shirt freshman, took over for red-shirt junior Matt Kushner, who injured his knee in the second half. Starter Anthony Hill was out for the game with a pectoralis strain.

“Somebody’s got to step up,” Bryan said. “It was the greatest feeling I believe I can ever have. I loved it. Hopefully we have the feeling of a win after every game.”

Both quarterback Russell Wilson and defensive end Willie Young and were listed as questionable prior to the contest. However, Young started the game and Wilson did not play, though he was dressed on the sidelines.

O’Brien made the decision not to play Wilson, even though doctors had cleared him for the game.

“We weren’t going to put him in the game unless it as a dire emergency,” he said.

Beck finished the game 17-of-25 for 246 yards with 2 TD and 1 INT.

Despite his performance, O’Brien said Wilson would start next week’s contest against Clemson. Beck will once again assume his familiar role as back up.

But at least for one night, Beck proved he could get the job done.