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NC State Football

Hockman Felt No Pressure In Extended Opportunity

September 29, 2019
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TALLAHASSEE, FL-- The Bailey Hockman Era arrived for NC State a bit earlier than expected in Tallahassee on Saturday night in a 31-13 defeat to Florida State. Playing in a familiar setting inside the stadium he once called home prior to transferring to Raleigh, Hockman showed glimpses of what the Wolfpack have needed for weeks from the offensive attack. 

He pushed the ball downfield, showing better accuracy than Matt McKay has displayed this season. While the numbers won’t jump off the page, Hockman completed 21 of 40 passes for 208 yards and touchdown. It was clear early that McKay was struggling as he missed short throws, coupled with some drops to stifle any offensive progress.  

“We had to bring him in earlier than we had planned. Matt wasn’t going what I thought he was going to do,” Head Coach Dave Doeren said after the game. “It was obvious he was off, and it this point we don’t have time to wait anymore.” 

McKay’s struggles have been noted throughout the early portion of the year, as NC State ranks near the bottom of the country in downfield passing efficiency. Late in the first quarter after a couple bad misses from the redshirt sophomore, Doeren decided it was time to try the transfer quarterback for good. 

“Love him to death, he’s a great young man. But it’s one thing when you’re not completing the ball downfield, but it’s another when you’re not completing them underneath,” Doeren said of McKay. 

“Hockman was what we needed to tonight, and he competed.” 

The night was far from perfect as Hockman was lucky on more than one occasion not to be intercepted and he missed quite a few throws, as well as some easy one’ that his receivers dropped. But overall, the talent was evident and the keys to replacing Ryan Finley should be the redshirt sophomores going into the bye week.

“Emotionally I felt good, really stable coming in,” Hockman said of his performance. “I felt confident, strong, but just need to keep getting better.”

Hockman had been used sparingly during the first four games of the year, but started to get more usage as the season progressed. He knew his time could be coming soon and was prepared for the moment. 

“Every day I just tried to work my butt off and be there for the guys,” Hockman said. “I tried to put my best foot forward. It’s all I can do, try to be the best version of me.”

His touchdown toss to Emeka Emezie, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive to pull the Pack to within 24-13 with 13:04 remaining, instilled a ray of hope into the comeback attempt. On the drive Hockman showed an underestimated ability to escape pressure and make plays on the run when everything else broke down. 

“I’d been under these lights before, so there was no pressure on me,” Hockman said. 

“We just have to execute and not hurt ourselves with penalties. We’ll get it done, we just have to keep working to make a run here for the rest of our season.”

 
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