Share
RALEIGH OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: S. Carolina 84, Fresno St. 83, California 59, Utah 53, Cincinnati 44, Florida St. 41, Michigan 36, Boston College 32, Rutgers 32, Michigan St. 21, Boise St. 17, Arkansas 14, N. Carolina 14, Connecticut 10, Tulsa 7, UCLA 6, Oregon St. 5, Mississippi St. 4, Virginia 4, Arizona 3, Nebraska 2, Notre Dame 2, Hawaii 1, Washington 1.
Coach Tom O'Brien seemed to shoot down a popular theory about N.C. State's quarterback race on media day Saturday.
Reporters and fans have speculated that O'Brien might start senior Daniel Evans in the difficult season opener at South Carolina because of his experience, then break in one of his freshmen slowly beginning the following week against William & Mary.
Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson and freshman Mike Glennon are competing with Evans. O'Brien hinted that he won't hesitate to use one of the freshmen on Aug. 28 in Columbia if he earns the job.
“You're going to have to learn to play before a crowd sooner or later,” O'Brien said during his news conference. “So why not start off the bat and go do it?”
O'Brien said he hopes the close race will be resolved after Wednesday, when he said N.C. State is scheduled for its final scrimmage.
Sophomore quarterback Justin Burke did not show up for the team picture Saturday, and O'Brien declined to comment on his status.
O'Brien said he would address Burke's situation Sunday. Along with junior Harrison Beck, Burke was left behind earlier in the week in what's become a three-player quarterback race.
Wide receiver Donald Bowens said the spinal injury that will cause him to miss the season is not career threatening.
He expects to redshirt and return as a junior in 2009.
Losing Bowens affects a kick return game that already was missing 2007 senior standout Darrell Blackman. Tailback Jamelle Eugene and wide receiver T.J. Graham, a Wakefield High graduate, are handling punt and kickoff return duties.
Running back Toney Baker said he hopes to return to the field in two to three weeks.
Baker recently had surgery to remove extra cartilage that had developed in his knee following his previous surgery to repair a torn knee ligament suffered in last season's opener.
Elsewhere
ALABAMA: John Parker Wilson and freshman receiver Julio Jones had big days in Alabama's scrimmage.
Wilson passed for 255 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception in the 21/2-hour scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Jones caught five passes for 125 yards and a score as the scrimmage mostly showcased the passing game. Fellow freshman B.J. Scott had 56 yards receiving while Mike McCoy gained 81 yards on three receptions.
Prince Hall's eight tackles led the defense.
Coach Nick Saban said there's plenty of room for improvement, but that he's not disappointed with the Tide's progress.
BIG 12: Several Big 12 programs made what they hope were difference-making hires for this season, and not just the three teams – Nebraska, Texas A&M and Baylor – that introduced new head coaches.
In all, 13 coordinators in the Big 12 will step on the field this season for the first time in those roles.
