More On The Bryant Shirreffs Story

Bryant Shirreffs could be a starting quarterback in the Ivy League right now. He might also be playing fullback or linebacker at NC State. But under the circumstances, he has been pressed back into action at QB in State's wildcat package. The Wolfpacker offers some insight into just how fortunate we were that he was an option at all.

"I just said, 'Hey, let's just have a couple of runs for Bryant in case something happens,'" the coach remembered. "I didn't want us to have one quarterback and all of the sudden our quarterback run game is gone."

Shirreffs was the contingency plan because two of the Pack's other wildcat options, receivers Travares Copeland and Rashard Smith - both prep signal-callers - were unavailable for the job. Copeland was battling a lingering hamstring issue, while Smith had a lot on his plate, serving as one of the team's top receivers, as well as the No. 1 kick and punt returner.

"We didn't feel like putting those guys back there was the best thing for our team," Doeren said. "We gave Bryant a quarterback lead and a couple of power runs with one throw, and then he went in and did a good job.