Dave Doeren makes his choice for NC State’s new starting quarterback
There is a deceptive pleasantness to Matt McKay.
N.C. State’s sophomore quarterback is ready with a smile and quick with a compliment for his teammates. But it’s best not to judge a book by its facile cover. As his younger brother, Tim, a freshman on the Wolfpack offensive line said earlier this month, McKay’s “trying to win at everything he does.”
McKay’s first win, of sorts, came on Monday when N.C. State coach Dave Doeren named him the starter for Saturday’s season-opener against East Carolina (noon, ACC Network).
McKay had been in a training camp competition with Bailey Hockman and Devin Leary for the starting job. Hockman, a redshirt sophomore, will be the backup and Leary, a redshirt freshman, begins the season third on the depth chart.
McKay, who was Ryan Finley’s backup last season, won the job with his performance in practice and the team’s scrimmages in August, Doeren said.
“Matt’s accuracy, his leadership and his ability to really protect the team with his decision-making and consistent play is really what prevailed,” Doeren said.
Following NC State’s NFL QBs
McKay has a lofty tradition to uphold. N.C. State has five former quarterbacks in the NFL. In 10 of the past 11 seasons, the Wolfpack has had a future NFL quarterback as its starter, including Finley for the previous three years.
It was McKay’s experience in the program and leadership that impressed Doeren. The 6-4, 214-pound sophomore from Raleigh redshirted the 2017 season, and was the scout team offensive player of the year, and then served as Finley’s backup in 2018.
“It’s really things behind the scenes,” Doeren said. “When those guys go out on their own and throw and those guys go in to watch film, he’s talking to guys in the locker room. And in Matt’s case, he has gotten up in front of our leadership group and talked and been vocal that way.”
McKay is the only quarterback on the Wolfpack roster with college game experience. He completed 7 of 8 passes for 87 yards in six games and ran for 36 yards with a touchdown.
McKay finished the spring as the starter and entered camp in the same spot. Doeren noted that both Hockman and Leary improved during preseason practice.
Doeren said he reached the decision to start McKay last week and talked with the three quarterbacks on Sunday about it.
“I wanted to give Bailey and Devin every opportunity I could to improve and I would say that they have,” Doeren said. “I think Bailey really came on towards the end of camp.”
Using more than one QB
Doeren has gone into a season, and individual games, with a plan to use more than one quarterback. He didn’t rule that out on Monday but he also said he didn’t have a specific plan to use Hockman against ECU.
“As you know, it’s a long season and a lot of things can happen,” Doeren said. “So all of those guys are preparing to play.”
The point of emphasis, as Doeren noted, will be to minimize mistakes and make smart choices.
“Our offense, will and forever be, an offense where I want that guy to protect the football team with his decision-making first,” Doeren said.
Doeren noted that McKay will be one of nine first-time starters for the Wolfpack on Saturday. After back-to-back 9-4 seasons, Doeren has had to rebuild the depth chart this season.
There are 16 redshirt or true freshmen and 17 sophomores in the depth chart that Doeren released for the first time this season on Monday.
“I’m excited about these guys,” Doeren said. “It’s a different team. They are very hungry.”
Among the other new starters in the lineup will be fifth-year senior Emanuel McGirt at left tackle.
Doeren announced on Monday that senior tackle Tyrone Riley would be out for the season with a foot injury. The school has begun the process to apply for a sixth-year waiver for Riley.
ECU at NC State
When: Noon, Saturday
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
Watch: ACC Network
This story was originally published August 26, 2019 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Dave Doeren makes his choice for NC State’s new starting quarterback."
