Matt McKay Shines In First Start
All eyes were on Matt McKay Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium. If his first game is any indication, the Wolfpack is in good hands as it looks to replace Ryan Finley.
McKay got off to somewhat of a slow start, as he was 10-19 for 140 yards at half. Not a bad half, all things considered, but he really took off after the break. McKay finished the second half completing 15 of 18 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown, and ran for another 21-yard touchdown on a gorgeous play call.
On the ground, McKay ran six times for 35 yards, two scores, and didn’t take a sack. That dual-threat ability is a dimension the Wolfpack hasn’t had for the last three years.
“I blocked all that talk out,” McKay said. “I just wanted to focus and execute my game to help the team win games.”
McKay’s connection with Emeka Emezie really stood out, particularly in the second half. Emezie had five catches for 54 yards in the final two frames, and that included multiple difficult third down conversions.
“I always tell (McKay) to just put it in my area and I’m going to make the catch,” Emezie said. “That’s the kind of confidence I have in him and he has in me. We just got it going in the second half.”
McKay’s preparation is what stood out to his coaches and teammates.
“He put his time in, studied, and prepared,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “I tell the players that if you are prepared, you won’t be nervous. He prepared the right way for this football game.
Emezie echoed those sentiments.
“It started in the spring,” Emezie said. “Last fall camp to spring was his biggest jump. The way he prepares himself is why he had the game he did today. I always knew it was coming for him; it was just a matter of time. I’m very excited.”
McKay quieted any concerns about how the Wolfpack would be able to replace Finley – at least for the time being.
The quarterback battle isn’t over after one week, but McKay only tightened his grip on the job. He won’t be giving it up if he can build on his performance in his first start.
“I feel pretty good,” McKay said. “I have to work on some things, but I feel pretty good about what I did and what we did as a team.”