After concussion, NC State’s Wilson may want to sit this one out

By Lee Roberts  |   Thursday, September 11, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

N.C. State Wolfpack
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In his first game as the starting quarterback for North Carolina State, Russell Wilson faced a fired-up South Carolina defense on the road and ended up in the hospital. Thankfully, he’s been cleared to play, but this week’s game against Clemson is not the time to return.

Commentary: Wilson comes from an athletic family -- his dad played in the NFL -- and is a competitor. Undoubtedly, he wants to get back on the field as soon as possible. After doctors cleared Wilson, Wolfpack head coach Tom O’Brien reinstated him as the starting quarterback. Unfortunately, this week’s opponent is the worst one he could face right now.

Clemson was predicted by most experts to win the ACC and possibly challenge for a BCS championship game bid. Its blowout loss to Alabama in the first game of the season quieted that talk considerably. However, this Clemson team still has all the talent and now has no expectations. The Tigers, coming off a 45-17 win over The Citadel, will be out for vengeance Saturday in Death Valley.

If having your first start at South Carolina was a baptism by fire, having your second start at Clemson is kicking Wilson while he’s down. By playing a read option, O’Brien puts his quarterback in more danger. A bloodthirsty Clemson team won’t take sympathy on Wilson or anyone wearing an NC State uniform Saturday. The game will be ugly and the Wolfpack need to pray their quarterback survives unscathed.

Fan Pulse: The normally optimistic Wolfpack fan base doesn’t seem to think they have much of a chance to win at Clemson.

Injury Watch: Wilson returns to the lineup for NC State; meanwhile, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says that Cullen Harper’s shoulder is fine, despite earlier reports of a possible injury.
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About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ...
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