WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

State's Options at Running Back

Sep 2, 2007

No team wants to lose its starting running back, especially one as talented as Toney Baker.

But N.C. State, perhaps more than any team in the league, can adjust to such a blow.

Here are State's top two backs behind Baker:

Andre Brown

6-0, 232, Junior

2005 season: Brown didn't play until coming in as a reserve against Southern Miss, and then he went crazy, rushing for 248 yards in that contest.  He stampeded for 179 the next week at Florida State and looked like the next coming of Herschel Walker. He had 667 yards and six touchdowns on the season.

2006 season: He was the Wolfpack's leading rusher in seven games last season, and was second overall with 658 yards. He had 125 yards in the opener against Appalachian State and 113 against FSU. Brown finished with seven starts, carried 124 times and scored four touchdowns.

2007 season: Brown led State in rushing in the loss to Central Florida, carrying 14 times for 73 yards and one touchdown.

 

Jamelle Eugene

5-10, 195, Sophomore

2006 season: Talented player was stuck behind Brown and Baker and had a season-high 30 yards rushing against Appalachian State. He had just 16 carries for 59 yards for the season. But  his versatility helped him catch 9 passes for 90 yards and a score.

2007 season: Often played in passing downs in the opening game. Had just one carry, for eight yards, in the loss to Central Florida.