Pete Thomas is North Carolina State’s unquestioned quarterback for now, but Brandon Mitchell still provides a dimension to the Wolfpack’s offense off the bench — when he’s healthy.

Head coach Dave Doeren is still unsure about the quarterback’s status for Saturday’s game against Syracuse. Mitchell practiced in pads on Tuesday, Doeren said, and “there’s a chance” that he could play on Saturday.

“He’s throwing the ball well every day,” Doeren said. “He feels really good in the pocket. He’s just getting more and more comfortable with the side-to-side and straight-ahead movements that you have to do.”

Now he’s wearing cleats.

Mitchell has played in just one game this year for NCSU — a 3-for-3, 93-yard performance in a season-opening win over Louisiana Tech — but he gives North Carolina State a different dimension.

“Once Brandon’s in there,” Doeren said, “you have both where he can stretch the field. There is just one extra runner in the backfield all the time that the defense has to be concerned about.”

A graduate transfer from Arkansas, Mitchell began the season as the Wolfpack’s starter before breaking his foot. He listed himself as “50-50” to return against the Orange.

Doeren is taking things “day-to-day” with the quarterback and said he wouldn’t put him out on the field until Mitchell feels protected. But it’s looking more and more like that could be against SU.

“It’s just how long will it take him to feel like he can be full speed,” Doeren said. “I think every day is a new day for him.”

Published on October 10, 2013 at 12:38 am

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2