Amato: NC State in for a long day

Football

With one of the ACC's best cornerbacks possibly injured for this week's Akron-N.C. State game, Wolfpac coach Chuck Amato says his team could be in for a long day against J.D. Brookhart's passing attack.

A.J. Davis is questionable with a hamstring strain. What is certain is Davis' impact for N.C. State. If he can't play, however, sophomore Levin Neal will start.

With such a key injury, Amato is uncertain if his pass rush or the other defensive backs will be able to compensate against Luke Getsy, whom the coach respects.

• Amato was pleased with the week-one play of defensive tackle DeMario Pressley, the Charlotte Observer reports.


• While he was at Pitt in 2001, Brookhart orchestrated a 34-19 offensive masterpiece against N.C. State in the Tangerine Bowl.


• N.C. State's 36 passing yards against Appalachian State were the team's fewest since 1999. Amato still said quarterback Marcus Stone played better than last year because he stayed in the pocket more.


• Other injuries for N.C. State include senior wideout Lamart Barrett (hamstring), center Luke Lathan (concussion) and linebacker Ernest Jones (knee). All three are probable for Saturday.


• Eleven Zips made their debuts Saturday against Penn State.