N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien’s decision to start Russell Wilson over Harrison Beck atquarterback on Saturday in Clemson likely will be debated by many Wolfpack fans right up to game time and possibly after the closing bell.

It should be, too. Based on Beck’s performance in last weekend’s win over William & Mary, there’s a legitimate argument for sticking with him. And if there’s ever been a fan base deserving of a voice, it’s the Wolfpackers. Their loyalty — in football and basketball — is far beyond the call of duty.

Two games into the season, the most encouraging statistic for N.C. State might be the number of turnovers the Wolfpack has forced.

You'll recall that in 2007, its first season under defensive coordinator Mike Archer, the Wolfpack forced an ACC-low 16 turnovers. With eight turnovers forced in two games, N.C. State already is halfway to that total from last season.

The East Carolina at N.C. State game on Sept. 20 is scheduled for noon on ESPN or ESPN-2, ACC officials announced Monday afternoon.

In other Sept. 20 games involving North Carolina schools, Wake Forest will start at 7 p.m. at Florida State on ESPN-2, and Virginia Tech at North Carolina will start either at noon for a Raycom Sports broadcast or 3:30 p.m. in an ABC regional broadcast.

The Virginia Tech at North Carolina kickoff time will be announced Sunday.

RALEIGH — Russell Wilson returns at quarterback for N.C. State this week but the injuries at the skill positions continue for the Wolfpack.

Second-string tight end Matt Kushner (knee) will miss the Clemson game on Saturday. Coach Tom O'Brien said starter Anthony Hill will miss his second straight game, with a strained chest muscle.

Former N.C. State star wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery needed two series to benefit from the New York Jets’ acquisition of quarterback Brett Favre.

Only 7 minutes into the Jets’ NFL opener Sunday at Miami, Cotchery hauled in a 56-yard touchdown strike from Favre on an up-and-out pattern that caught the Dolphins’ secondary flat-footed. The play gave the Jets a 7-0 lead en route to an eventual 20-14 win.

The emergence of some capable receivers might have been the most encouraging development for N.C. State in its 34-24 win over William & Mary.

Harrison Beck threw some dangerous passes, and N.C. State’s receivers pulled them in. Jarvis Williams caught one for 22 yards and a touchdown in the final minute of the second quarter.

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It seemed unlikely at the time, after coach Tom O'Brien offered to help Harrison Beck transfer to another school.

But after Beck decided to stay, O'Brien said N.C. State might need him at some point this season. O'Brien had no idea just how quickly the Wolfpack would turn to Beck to rejuvenate its struggling offense.

Beck came off the sideline to cheers Saturday afternoon and used his strong arm to revive N.C. State in a 34-24 win over William & Mary at Carter-Finley Stadium, completing a remarkable turnaround.

There's been a Harrison Beck sighting at Carter-Finley Stadium.

After quarterback Daniel Evans failed to direct N.C. State to a first down over almost two full quarters, coach Tom O'Brien sent Beck, the backup, into the game.

The silver lining in N.C. State’s otherwise thoroughly disgusting performance at South Carolina was defense.

The final score, 34-0 Gamecocks, in no way accurately reflected the effort and execution of State’s defenders for the majority of the game. Assuming the unit can be equally successful again, the Wolfpack should get a win over William & Mary.

But there’s no question that offensive progress is the overriding issue in this game.

State simply has to start developing an offensive identity while gaining some confidence.

If that can’t be accomplished against W&M, there’s little chance to believe it’ll happen next week at Clemson. Pack, 24-7.

The ACC’s new injury policy is doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Which is why it’s failing.