September 6, 2007

Steve Megargee
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer

The pressure is on: Wake Forest QB Brett Hodges: Riley Skinner separated his throwing shoulder last week at Boston College and is doubtful for this week's game. That leaves Hodges with the unenviable task of facing Nebraska in his first career start. Hodges did get some big-game experience last week when he went 17-of-23 for 130 yards with a touchdown and an interception after Skinner got hurt. Hodges actually was in a neck-and-neck competition with Skinner for the backup job last year until a separated shoulder knocked Hodges out at the end of the preseason. Skinner went on to replace an injured Ben Mauk and led Wake Forest to the ACC title, while Hodges attempted only two passes all season.

Newcomer who could have an impact: North Carolina State QB Harrison Beck: The Nebraska transfer has been named the starter for the Wolfpack's game Saturday with Boston College. Beck threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a reserve role last week, and nearly rallied the Wolfpack from a 22-point halftime deficit in a 25-23 loss to UCF. Daniel Evans had beaten Beck out for the starting job in the preseason.

Key stat: Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer's next win will be the 200th of his career. Florida State's Bobby Bowden (366) and Penn State's Joe Paterno (365) are the only active coaches with more career victories.

They said it: "The folks at BC have been tremendous. You get an occasional shot here and there, but that is probably 50-1. I think people recognize what went on in the 10 years at Boston College, from what I inherited to the (betting) scandal and everything else in restoring the integrity of the program and becoming a solid top 25 program, the No. 1 program in terms of academics in football and the bowl success. Certainly you want to leave a program better than when you inherited it, and we did that."
? North Carolina State coach Tom O'Brien, who coached at Boston College from 1997-2006. North Carolina State travels to Boston College this weekend.

Injury update: Clemson OG Thomas Austin (sprained ankle), TE Michael Palmer (sprained ankle) and OG Brandon Pilgrim (bruised elbow) are questionable for Saturday's game with Louisiana Monroe. Clemson DT Rashaad Jackson bruised his chest against Florida State, but he's probable for this weekend. ? Florida State reserve S Mister Alexander is out for the remainder of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. ... Georgia Tech WR James Johnson has a leg injury that will probably keep him out of the Samford game. Georgia Tech OT A.J. Smith (elbow) and CB Jahi Word-Daniels (head) are questionable for Saturday's game. ? North Carolina LB Chase Rice will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. True freshman Bruce Carter will replace Rice in the starting lineup. North Carolina C Scott Lenahan has a strained calf, but he still expects to play against East Carolina. If Lenahan can't play, walk-on Lowell Dyer would replace him in the starting lineup. ? North Carolina State RB Toney Baker is out for the season with a knee injury. Andre Brown replaces Baker in the starting lineup, and Jamelle Eugene also will get an expanded role. ? Virginia LB Jermaine Dias is doubtful for the Duke game with an ankle injury. Denzel Burrell would replace him in the lineup. ? Virginia Tech S Kam Chancellor sprained a knee against East Carolina, but he expects to play this weekend.

Worth noting: Virginia Tech reserve cornerback Roland Minor has been ruled ineligible, which ends his college career. ? Maryland backup QB Josh Portis won't play this season because of a violation of the school's academic code. ? Virginia coach Al Groh plans to stick with Jameel Sewell as his starting quarterback. True freshman quarterback Peter Lalich had replaced Sewell late in a 23-3 loss to Wyoming last week after Sewell went 11-of-23 for 87 yards with two interceptions. ? The ACC players of the week for the season-opening weekend were Boston College QB Matt Ryan (offense), Georgia Tech OT Andrew Gardner (offensive line), Boston College CB DeJuan Tribble (defense), Clemson DE Phillip Merling (defensive line), Georgia Tech K Travis Bell (special teams) and North Carolina QB T.J. Yates (rookie). Ryan threw five touchdown passes and Tribble recorded three interceptions in Boston College's 38-28 victory over Wake Forest. Gardner helped pave the way for Tashard Choice's 196-yard rushing performance and Bell went 4-for-5 on field-goal attempts in Georgia Tech's 33-3 whipping of Notre Dame. Merling forced a fumble and recorded eight tackles and a sack in a 24-18 triumph over Florida State. Yates threw three touchdown passes in a 37-14 trouncing of James Madison. ? Tribble also was named the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week. ? Choice now has rushed for at least 100 yards in eight consecutive games. His 196-yard effort against Notre Dame represented a new career high.

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