from <a href='http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/story/2892446p-2664525c.html' target='_blank'>n&o</a>
State's back-up running backs ready for UNC / Brown, Jackson capable of success if T.A. can't play
By LORENZO PEREZ, Staff Writer
North Carolina defenders still believe hobbled N.C. State tailback T.A. McLendon will take a star turn in Saturday's game, no matter what the Wolfpack injury report says. "I'm expecting to see him," UNC linebacker Clay Roberson said, unwilling to believe that McLendon's strained hamstring would keep him on the sideline. "He's mostly hurt every game."
Given the past success of McLendon's two understudies against UNC, however, the Tar Heels defense shouldn't celebrate too much if McLendon doesn't hit the field.
Sophomore Josh Brown added 88 yards and a touchdown to the 164 yards and two touchdowns that McLendon got in last season's 34-17 Wolfpack win.
And in the 2000 game, Cotra Jackson rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 38-20 win at North Carolina after starter Ray Robinson left with an injury.
Brown is expected to get the start Saturday if McLendon remains sidelined, and the former state high school player of the year wants to shine.
"I know I've got to come in and play big," Brown said after practice Tuesday. "I've been ready since last year."
At 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, Brown doesn't have a chiseled, muscular build that screams "star running back."
But his ability to dart and change direction in the open field has coaches and teammates comparing him to other small backs who've had great success at the college level and played in the NFL.
"Don't let his size fool you," N.C. State coach Chuck Amato said. "[Florida State's] Warrick Dunn was that size."
As quick as Brown is, he's also willing to fight through the line when needed, Jackson said.
"He's quick, but he'll also stuff his head in there and get those tough yards," Jackson said. "Don't judge a book by its cover."
If the Tar Heels' statistics from their first three games are any indication, Brown and Jackson should have their opportunities to run on Saturday.
North Carolina goes into the game with one of the worst run defenses in the country. After three games, it ranks 108th among NCAA I-A programs.
Wisconsin rushed for 209 yards against the Tar Heels Saturday, even though the Badgers were playing without starting running back Anthony Davis.
And N.C. State is coming off its most successful rushing performance. McLendon was responsible for much of it, totaling 115 rushing yards and a touchdown against Texas Tech Saturday.
But Brown added 69 yards and two touchdowns, and Jackson had a late touchdown as well.
With that type of rushing, N.C. State tackle Sean Locklear said, the Wolfpack can keep the defensive pressure off quarterback Philip Rivers.
"We need to run the ball better so teams can't just think we'll throw 60 times and let Phil take the kind of licks he did against Ohio State," Locklear said.
UNC N.C. STATE
Staff writer Lorenzo Perez can be reached at 829-4643 or lperez@newsobserver.com
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State's back-up running backs ready
