One of N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien's most difficult decisions heading into the Aug. 28 opener at South Carolina might be how to rotate talented tailbacks Jamelle Eugene and Andre Brown.
Eugene surpassed 100 yards rushing three times in the last seven games last season and was tabbed the starter entering training camp. Brown ranks 12th in N.C. State history with 1,772 career rushing yards entering his senior season.
"Jamelle has proven he can carry the load and play a lot," O'Brien said. "But Andre is a pretty good back, too."
The guess here is that if both backs are healthy, they will start the season playing about the same number of series on offense. N.C. State also is relying on Eugene on punt returns and kickoff returns, so Brown can provide him time to rest in the backfield.
Although Brown missed time early in camp because of a still-tender foot, O'Brien said he ran hard and with good vision during Tuesday's scrimmage. O'Brien said Brown's conditioning needs to improve, but that shouldn't be much of a problem if he's only playing half the game.
The next question will be what happens in the backfield when Toney Baker returns from knee surgery. Baker hopes to be back in a few weeks. And then O'Brien and his staff will have more difficult - but welcome - decisions to make at a position that might be the deepest on the roster.
Comments
You Dumb A**. You could not
Sat, 08/23/2008 - 15:18 — Anonymous (not verified)You Dumb A**. You could not get in a ACC school with a search warrant.
cow college
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 20:38 — Anonymous (not verified)our vets make as much if not more than unc dr's
Prediction
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 19:18 — Anonymous (not verified)South Carolina 31, NCSU 10
I wish...
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 13:56 — JPDOhio...that TOB had more of these difficult decisions across the board. Then the Pack will be a consistent contender.
I don't know about
Fri, 08/22/2008 - 11:18 — "Cow College" Alum (not verified)I don't know about everybody else, but I make a pretty good living with the degree I received from "Cow College".
I just love how UNC fans throw in their two cent with this stuff. I also love how Butch Davis wants to add more seats. He can't even fill the ones he's got. Honestly, what was the last game that was truly filled. When they played Miami at home 4 or 5 years ago on Halloween?
State community college will always be terrible
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 16:21 — Herb Sendek (not verified)It doesn't matter, cow college will always suck. Even Duke has a brighter football future.
typical
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 21:37 — iven (not verified)it's a carolina girl...sucking, they know a great deal about that. thats why they wear powder puff blue.
now now...
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 18:59 — izzykareemI wouldn't go and call UNC-CH a Cow College, "walmart graduate school" maybe, but not Cow College
Get out Tar Hole
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 17:42 — Anonymous (not verified)Judging by your ignorant comment you are probably not a graduate of the school you support so much. So I would stop dissing a "cow college" when you obviously couldn't get into State anyways. And on a football note, maybe you didn't notice, but State had a better record and better recruiting class than UNC, plus we have a better coach and we BEAT UNC head to head last year. The only reason for the UNC hype is cuz their schedule is so easy, a high school team could make it to a bowl game. Tar holes. Stick to basketball and keep your mouth shut.
I guess since I graduated from Duke
Fri, 08/22/2008 - 13:47 — Herb Sendek (not verified)Since i'm a Duke grad, all the hate towards UNC makes this even better.
the truth will be discovered in a few weeks
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 17:33 — Anonymous (not verified)we will see how the pack does after the season starts. i think O'brien is setting things up right at state.
cow college you say....well
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 17:12 — Anonymous (not verified)cow college you say....well we'll take that over the things people say around the state say about the other public universities