CHAPEL HILL Almost every practice last season, North Carolina's Shaun Draughn would gaze across the field at the running backs and think, “I can do that.”
Now that the former safety has made the switch to the backfield, he's trying to find a way to do it better.
“I just want get on the field, get carries … make an impact when I'm needed,” he said.
So far, so good.
During UNC's 35-27 season-opening victory last Saturday, the swift sophomore from Tarboro was a bright spot to the Tar Heels' running game, finishing with 30 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
The Tar Heels, who finished with 163 rushing yards overall (but only 69 from their running backs), will need to run more effectively at Rutgers on Thursday.
But Draughn's performance behind starter Greg Little (14 carries, 37 yards) gave fans hope that UNC could eventually boast the depth at tailback that was so elusive last season.
N.C. State
Starting running back Jamelle Eugene will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury Saturday when N.C. State plays host to William & Mary, but quarterback Russell Wilson has not been ruled out.
Wilson, who suffered a Grade 3 concussion in the Aug. 28 opener at South Carolina, is listed as questionable in the injury report released to the media Thursday about an hour after the end of practice.
A player listed as questionable typically is considered to have a 50 percent chance of playing. Coach Tom O'Brien said before the injury report was released that Daniel Evans will start at quarterback.
“And then we'll see where we go from there,” O'Brien said.
As expected, tight end Anthony Hill is out with a strained chest muscle.
Elsewhere
CLEMSON: The Tigers will be without starting defensive linemen Ricky Sapp and backup Jamie Cumbie against the Citadel on Saturday.
The school said that Sapp, a junior defensive end, is still recovering from a bruised knee in Clemson's 34-10 loss to Alabama last Saturday and would not play.
Cumbie broke his left wrist against the Crimson Tide.
KENTUCKY: Left tackle Garry Williams will miss the next two to three weeks because of a cartilage tear in his knee.
TULANE: The school has suspended senior safety David Skehan, meaning he will miss the Green Wave's season opener at Alabama on Saturday.
Tulane head football coach Bob Toledo did not specify what Skehan's violation was.
Skehan will be reinstated after Tulane returns from Tuscaloosa, Ala., the team said.
Tulane has spent the week practicing in Birmingham, Ala., because of Hurricane Gustav.
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