North Carolina State University Athletics
Ray will be Ready
8/25/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
"I feel a lot better everyday," said the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year. "I expect to play on Saturday."
It's been a frustrating pre-season camp for Robinson, who has been making a slower than expected recovery from a high ankle sprain he sustained in a simple passing drill three weeks ago. "I thought I'd be ready for the scrimmage last Wednesday, but I couldn't make it," he said. "It's been very frustrating because I also missed spring practice."
During the spring, the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina native was still recovering from the broken arm he suffered in the Micron PC Bowl.
Injuries have done a more effective job of slowing down Robinson than opposing defenses. In his rookie campaign, the sophomore racked up 822 yards on 154 carries.
While Robinson has proclaimed himself ready to go for the opener, it's still unclear as to who will be the Pack's starting tailback. "We want to get Ray and Rahshon (Spikes) a lot of work in the next couple of days," NC State coach Mike O'Cain said on Tuesday. "We'll probably be ready to name a starter on Thursday."
Spikes' involvement in contact drills has also been limited by a nagging groin pull. The injuries to the two incumbents at tailback have opened the door for redshirt freshman K.J. Stone, who has become somewhat of a pleasant surprise. All three will likely see some action on Saturday night.
"Ray and Rahshon won't be as good as they can be this Saturday," O'Cain said. "But K.J.'s emergence has given us another player at that position that we didn't expect to have."
On the defensive side of the ball, it's looking more and more like linebacker Sheldon Kee will be forced to sit out the opener with a sprained neck. "Right now, I'd say it's very doubtful that he would play," O'Cain said. "You don't want to take a chance of playing him and then losing him for two more games. Even if he could play, we'd probably hold him until next week."
Kee was injured while tackling Eric Leak in last Wednesday's scrimmage at Carter-Finley Stadium.
