North Carolina running back Ryan Houston might play against Virginia Tech. Then again, he might not.
Tar Heels coach Butch Davis said the decision to use Houston against the Hokies, or maintain his redshirt, will likely be made on Saturday.
"We haven't decided any of those right now," Davis said Wednesday on the weekly ACC coaches' teleconference, in answering a question about options at running back.
Houston, the team's leading rusher in 2009, has not played this season. He missed the first five games because of the NCAA investigation and has been held out of the past four games with the intent of redshirting.
With a season-ending injury to running back Johnny White in last Saturday's 37-35 win at Florida State, UNC's depth at running back has taken a hit.
"I've had conversations with Ryan," Davis said. "That will probably be a potential game-time decision."
Davis also played coy with the health of Shaun Draughn, who suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of the Florida State win. Davis said UNC would release an injury report on Thursday with an update of Draughn's health.
Draughn was held out of the first game because of the NCAA investigation and lost the starting job to White. Draughn has rushed for 386 yards and four touchdowns but has 82 carries, compared to 130 for White (team-best 720 yards).
Senior Anthony Elzy, who is technically a fullback, and sophomore Hunter Furr are the other options at running back.
Comments
Off subject...
Thu, 11/11/2010 - 21:24 — UNC1998Phile Steele's picking UNC for win vs. VT Sat. The man kind of knows his football. 27-24 Heels per Mr. Steele. One thing that gave me confidence is that the ACC blog lady Dinich picked the Heels to lose, and as she knows very little......
Play or not
Thu, 11/11/2010 - 10:22 — gvillegatrThis late in the game, I'd just make him an asst coach for the remainder of the season.
Honestly
Wed, 11/10/2010 - 22:55 — Heels20The coaches are in a tough position. Not only do they have to focus on winning, but also pay attention to what's best for the future of each individual player. It sounds like Houston is willing to do whatever is best for the team, even though he would prefer a redshirt. Do you give yourself the best chance to win by playing him, or do you hold him out until next year when it will be the most opportune time for him to show off to pro scouts? Best case scenario: Draughn, Elzy and Furr get it done on the ground. Make it happen, fellas!
He runs , he runs not, he
Wed, 11/10/2010 - 21:56 — unc098He runs , he runs not, he runs, he runs not........good grief get on with it.