Wilson Named QB for BC Game; TE Hill Probable

BY TIM PEELER

 

RALEIGH, N.C. Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson, who missed last weekend’s game against South Florida with an injury, will return to the starting lineup for Saturday’s noon game against Boston College, NC State head football coach Tom O’Brien announced Thursday afternoon.

And, in another piece of long-awaited good news for the Wolfpack offense, O'Brien announced that senior tight end Anthony Hill is listed as probable for Saturday's game. Hill, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, has been out since the season-opener with a chest injury. He led the team in receptions with 45 in 2006.

Wilson led the Wolfpack to a 30-24 overtime victory over East Carolina two weeks ago, leading the team on a game-tying drive with four crisp passes in the final two minutes of the game. Afterwards, however, O’Brien announced that Wilson had suffered an injury and would miss the team’s next game.

Wilson won the starting position at the beginning of the season, but suffered a Grade 3 concussion in the opener at South Carolina and missed the Wolfpack’s 38-28 victory over William & Mary. He returned for the team’s loss at Clemson, but returned the next week to throw three touchdown passes against the then-No. 15 ranked Pirates.

“He has practiced, he has practiced well and he will start on Saturday,” O’Brien said. “He was initially supposed to be out for a couple of weeks, but he has willed himself to be back and get healthy and that is good for us.”

Junior Harrison Beck filled in at quarterback in Wilson's absence.

O’Brien praised Wilson’s mental toughness in returning so quickly. He spent much of his free time in the training room, but also remained engaged with the team for position meetings and practice.

“I truly believe he willed himself to come back quickly,” O’Brien said.

You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.

NC STATE INJURY REPORT (10/2/08)

AVAILABLE: Russell Wilson, QB

PROBABLE: Anthony Hill, TE - - Pectoralis strain

OUT: Alan-Michael Cash, DT - Knee surgery; Curtis Crouch, OG - Foot injury; Nate Irving, LB - Ankle injury; Geron James, WR - Ankle injury; Julian Williams, LT - Shoulder Injury.

OUT FOR THE SEASON: Toney Baker, HB - Knee surgery; Donald Bowens, WR - Lower back stress fractures; Matt Kushner, TE - Knee injury; Javon Walker, S - Knee surgery.

North Carolina State University Athletics

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