his first look Monday at how well his players have learned a new offense after a summer of study.The Wolfpack opened preseason practice with the quest

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren got his first look Monday at how well his players have learned a new offense after a summer of study.The Wolfpack opened preseason practice with the question of who will start at quarterback at the helm of an attack installed by new offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz.Their grip of what were doing on offense is obviously a lot better than it was in the spring, said Doeren, who is entering his fourth season.Drinkwitz, who took over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after the dismissal of Matt Canada, had spent the past two seasons at Boise State and formerly worked with Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. With his arrival and the departure of two-year starter Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, the Wolfpack spent the spring installing a control-the-tempo attack and hammering home the basics of that scheme.Monday marked the first opportunity for Drinkwitz and Doeren to see how much the players have learned from film study and individual work since the intrasquad scrimmage that wrapped up spring drills in April.Today there wasnt many alignment busts, Drinkwitz said. Theres always stuff youve got to get cleaned up because of the speed of it, but I thought today was a lot better as far as alignments and execution and playing fast.The Wolfpack return key contributors on offense in do-everything threat Jaylen Samuels and running back Matt Dayes, but the biggest question will be who starts at QB. Redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon, redshirt freshman Jakobi Meyers and Ryan Finley -- a graduate transfer from Drinkwitzs previous stop at Boise State -- are in the running.It was Doerens first in-person look at Finley, who he said had good touch and command of what hes doing. But he said theres no rush to name a starter before the Sept. 1 opener against William & Mary.Im going to give it time, he said. I didnt make a decision in the spring for a reason. . Weve got a lot of situations in 29 practices theyre going to go through so well see how they handle it.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap and the APs college football site at http://collegefootball.ap.org Paul George Jersey . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. T. J. Warren Jersey . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. https://www.cheappacers.com/253k-c-j-miles-jersey-pacers.html .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Clemon Johnson Jersey . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Glenn Robinson III Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Deondre Francois was a little concerned after his first couple of drives Monday night.Things werent going exactly as Florida States redshirt freshman quarterback had hoped. Some critical passes floated high, some fell short, and the fourth-ranked Seminoles trailed No. 11 Mississippi by 22 points before the end of the first quarter.Then it all came together in the second quarter. Francois stood in the pocket and delivered a 16-yard touchdown pass to Travis Rudolph, the first of 33 consecutive points for the Seminoles in a 45-34 season-opening win over Ole Miss -- the largest comeback victory in school history.Things werent going right, but I couldnt panic because my team needed me behind the wheel, said Francois, just the fourth freshman to start the season as the Seminoles quarterback.So I just kept chopping. We were down 28-6, but I couldnt let them see me down, I had to portray the image that we were not about to lose this game.Francois made plays with both his arm and legs while playing in front of his home crowd in Orlando. He completed 33 of 52 passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for 59 yards.He led the Seminoles on four touchdown drives and positioned freshman kicker Ricky Aguayo to convert a school-record six field goals while FSU scored on nine consecutive possessions between the second and fourth quarters.Hes a kid who loves his team, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said of Francois. His teammates believe in him, and hes a fighter, and hes a competitor, which Im very proud of.Francois outplayed his much more experienced counterpart, Ole Miss senior Chad Kelly, who threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns but also had three interceptions and a fumble.Francois didnt commit a turnover and played with poise that earned him his teammates confidence.He just wants to make everything perfect, he wants to perfect his craft, said FSU running back Dalvin Cook. The confidence he has coming into the huddle, you have no choice but to go out and execute for him because he is going to lay it on the line for you.THE TAKEAWAYOle Miss: The Rebels up-tempo offense is potent, but big mistakes by Kelly under pressure took away any momentum. Kelly had three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter but his turnovers (four) brought the offense to a standstiill.ddddddddddddFlorida State: Francois looks like the real deal. His arm is impressive and his willingness to stay in the pocket was bold for a first-time starter. Cook found little running room early, but he contributed big as a receiver with a career-high seven catches for 101 yards. He also rushed for 91 yards on 23 carries.KEY NUMBERSOle Miss: The Rebels gave 13 points off turnovers, fueled by Kellys four giveaways.Florida State: The Seminoles won the time of possession battle 42:39 to 17:21. ... FSU will have to clean up some sloppiness after committing 15 penalties for 127 yards. ... The Seminoles converted 9 of 18 third downs. ... Among the kickers that Aguayo passed with his team-record six field goals? His brother Roberto, a second-round pick by Tampa Bay this year.INJURY REPORTOle Miss cornerback Ken Webster suffered a knee injury on the Rebels fourth defensive play when he went up to defend a pass to receiver Kermit Whitfield. Webster came down awkwardly and had to be carted off the field. His injury hurt the secondary because it didnt have a defensive back to leave out on an island in coverage.POLL IMPLICATIONSOle Miss: The Rebels should drop some in the polls, but they may not fall far after losing in what was essentially Florida States backyard. For a while, Ole Miss looked destined for a jump into the top 10, but things unraveled in the second half.Florida State: The Seminoles nearly became the third team in the top five to tumble, but instead they rallied for a huge neutral-site win. With No. 3 Oklahoma losing, FSU should move up to at least No. 3 in the next AP Top 25 poll.LAST WORDJimbo (Fisher) and I were talking before the game, there was going to be a good football team that walked out of here tonight not feeling well, and its us, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. We did not deserve to win the game the way we played the second half.UP NEXTOle Miss: The Rebels return home to host Wofford of the FCS on Saturday. Terriers (1-0) are coming off a 21-7 win over Tennessee Tech.Florida State: The Seminoles will host Charleston Southern of the FCS on Saturday. The Buccaneers (1-1) are coming off a 57-7 win over Kentucky State. ' ' '