ECU’s strength: First-year coach Scottie Montgomery could not have asked for much more from senior quarterback Philip Nelson in a 52-7 win over Western Carolina. Nelson completed 28 of 32 passes for 398 yards with five touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Nelson won the job in the spring, which precipitated Kurt Benkert’s transfer to Virginia. After one game at least, it appears that Montgomery made the right choice.
Receiver Zay Jones was Nelson’s favorite target. He caught 10 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Given some of N.C. State’s problems in the secondary, Jones could be in for a big day.