The numbers say Mike Glennon's transition from reserve to starter last season at North Carolina State was virtually seamless. He ranked second among ACC quarterbacks in touchdown passes and led the Wolfpack to its first victory over Clemson in nine years, an historic comeback against Maryland and second consecutive bowl victory.
The numbers lie.
After a redshirt year and two seasons backing up Russell Wilson, Glennon coped with relentless comparisons to his predecessor, who had transferred to Wisconsin and was leading the Badgers to the Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl.
No matter that Wilson was surrounded by superior weapons — State had no Montee Ball in the backfield — and threw for fewer yards. No matter that Glennon's protection was spotty.
Making matters worse: With two games remaining in the regular season, the Wolfpack was 5-5, fresh off a brutal defeat at Boston College and on the verge of a fourth losing season in coach Tom O'Brien's five years.
Glennon didn't panic. Summoning lessons from his older brother Sean's rocky career at Virginia Tech, he sparked an improbable, season-ending, three-game winning streak.
"I learned what it's like being a college quarterback (from Sean)," Glennon said last week at the ACC's preseason media gabfest. "At times, it's great. But other times, it's pretty tough."
Times were never better than late in the season.
In succession, State (8-5, 4-4 ACC) routed eventual league champion Clemson 37-13, overcame a 27-point, second-half deficit to stun Maryland 56-41, the largest rally in program history, and defeated Louisville 31-24 in the Belk Bowl.
Glennon's combined numbers for those games: 823 yards passing, 11 touchdowns, including a school-record-tying five against Maryland, and two interceptions.
But in the three previous games, losses to Florida State and Boston College, and a victory over North Carolina, Glennon threw four picks and only one touchdown pass as State scored a paltry 27 points.
Sean Glennon could relate. He started at Virginia Tech as a sophomore in 2006, was benched in favor of freshman Tyrod Taylor in 2007 and subsequently had moments of vindication and frustration. He, and Taylor for that matter, handled the gyrations as well as could be expected.
"I think that had a lot to do with (Mike) being able to withstand all the scrutiny that he went through, whether right, wrong or indifferent," O'Brien said. "I thought it was wrong, but y'all (in the media) did what you had to do. …
"The thing I think he really was good at last year was, he was able to focus on what he had to do and was able to throw all that other stuff out, which is really difficult. I'm sure bits and pieces got in here and there, but he never let on that it was a distraction. He and (offensive coordinator) Dana Bible did such a good job focusing on his game and trying to make himself better. But there isn't any question (that) family experience, having somebody to talk to, helped a lot."
The brothers, both graduates of Westfield High in Northern Virginia, talk often, more about family and friends than football, Glennon said. Their games are alike: tall pocket passers made for a pro-style offense.
At 6-foot-6, 232 pounds, Mike is just better. His 31 touchdown passes last season were three more than Sean threw in four seasons with the Hokies. He completed 62.5 percent of his attempts for 3,064 yards and threw 12 interceptions.
Impressive as those stats are, Glennon rates fourth among returning ACC quarterbacks behind Clemson's Tajh Boyd, Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas and Florida State's EJ Manuel.
"I've become more of a student of the game," Glennon said. "I feel like I'm ready to take the next step."
What is the next step?
"It's about winning games," Glennon said. "I came here to throw touchdowns, but more important, I came here to win championships."
Despite questions at linebacker and receiver, this is State's best shot since the Philip Rivers era a decade ago. The Wolfpack returns seven starters on each side of the ball, including four offensive linemen and the entire secondary, led by All-American cornerback David Amerson.
"This is by far the most experienced and deepest football team we've had," O'Brien said.
Moreover, that experience and depth is accustomed to winning. State's 17 victories the last two seasons trail only Florida State's 18 and Virginia Tech's 22 among ACC teams.
Media picked the Wolfpack third in the Atlantic Division behind Florida State and Clemson, a forecast that accurately reflects returning talent. But State's schedule — non-conference opponents are Tennessee, Connecticut, South Alabama and The Citadel — is manageable, and its quarterback is a confident, tested, fifth-year senior with a degree in business administration secured.
Said Glennon: "I've pretty much seen everything I could see."
David Teel can be reached at 247-4636 or by e-mail at dteel@dailypress.com. For more from Teel, read his blog at dailypress.com/sports/teeltime and follow him at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP
