NC State chooses graduate transfer Finley as week 1 starter

Posted September 01, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina State chose graduate transfer Ryan Finley as its opening-night starter against William & Mary.

Finley arrived in May from Boise State and had been competing with fellow redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon through preseason drills. The team announced Finley as the starter shortly before Thursday night's kickoff.

NC State coach Dave Doeren had refused to publicly name a starter, saying both guys would play and he wanted to see how they handled gameday.

Doeren also said Tuesday that whoever started "is not necessarily" the starter for the season.

Finley played in three games last year at Boise State under new Wolfpack offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz, throwing for 485 yards and one touchdown with four interceptions before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.

McClendon saw spot duty last year behind Jacoby Brissett.

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