Davis named successor for Rivers at N.C. State

RALEIGH, N.C. - The last time North Carolina State coach Chuck Amato had to name a new starting quarterback, he picked an unproven, largely unheralded true freshman from Alabama who matured into a high first-round NFL pick.<br> <br> This time, he went with experience, announcing Tuesday that redshirt junior Jay Davis had beat out redshirt freshman Marcus Stone for the job.<br> <br> Amato testily announced his decision with one foot in a golf cart that would carry him from the team&#39;s practice field. He scolded one reporter who asked him about the competition that has drawn much interest as the Wolfpack prepares for its season opener against Richmond.<br> <br> ``We have two outstanding quarterbacks for this football team and Jay Davis has won the starting quarterback spot,&#39;&#39; Amato said. ``That&#39;s all we need to talk about and I don&#39;t want to hear anymore about it after today. It&#39;s no different now than any other position.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Davis spent three years behind Philip Rivers, watching him set national records that drew the eyes of NFL scouts and made him the No. 4 overall draft pick this year.<br> <br> Davis came into spring practice as a contender for the starting job and got more work with the first-team offense than he has in previous seasons. The practice and careful study of the Wolfpack playbook helped him move ahead of Stone, Davis said.<br> <br> ``Since Phil left I really said to myself, &#39;I&#39;ve got to learn every little corner of the offense,&#39;&#39; Davis said.<br> <br> Davis&#39; confidence grew as he felt more comfortable leading the team, said offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone.<br> <br> ``Jay was obviously a little ahead mentally,&#39;&#39; Mazzone said. ``Marcus is starting to walk and Jay is starting to run a little bit.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Davis, of Clearwater, Fla., was used sparingly last season, going 8-for-9 for 83 yards and a touchdown in the opener against Western Carolina, but not throwing another pass until a 6-yarder in the 56-26 win against Kansas in the Tangerine Bowl. He has played in 10 games the past two seasons, completing 17-of-28 passes and throwing one interception.<br> <br> Stone, from Harrisburg, Pa., won national high-school honors by throwing for more than 5,100 yards and 50 touchdowns in his prep career before picking the Wolfpack over Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee.<br> <br> He said Tuesday he was a little frustrated he hadn&#39;t won the starting job, but supported the selection of Davis.<br> <br> ``I said earlier it&#39;s Coach Amato&#39;s decision ... and I feel he made the right one,&#39;&#39; Stone said. ``I&#39;ll just keep working and try to get better everyday.&#39;&#39;