news-record.com

There weren't many positives for N.C. State in its 42-20 loss to Clemson on Saturday, but at least the Wolfpack still knows who its quarterback is.

Harrison Beck left the game late in the first quarter with a sprained right knee, but he could have re-entered if needed. Given the lopsidedness of the game, Beck stayed on the bench.

"He practiced last night and seemed to be fine," coach Tom O'Brien said Monday. "So I think that he will be fine for Saturday."

And in case you were wondering, O'Brien confirmed that Beck is still the starter and Daniel Evans is the backup heading into Saturday's home game against Louisville (3:30, ESPNU).

HOUSTON WE HAVE A RB: North Carolina also was scrounging for something to build upon after it was dominated by South Florida, 37-10. The Tar Heels may have found it in the performance of running back Ryan Houston.

The true freshman from Matthews scored UNC's only touchdown and gained 43 yards on 11 carries. Those numbers hardly are eye-popping, but compared with what the other Tar Heels tailbacks had been producing, they were an upgrade.

"We were encouraged with him," coach Butch Davis said. "He ran strong and he ran powerful and he ran with good vision. Hopefully, that's the tip of the iceberg."

Houston is hoping for more playing time Saturday at No. 17 Virginia Tech (noon, WXLV-45).

KINDER, GENTLER O'BRIEN? N.C. State's coach is known for being blunt when it comes to discussing his team's shortcomings. On Saturday, he said, "We're not a very good team." On Monday, he talked about the areas where the Wolfpack needed to get better, then added:

"A lot of this stuff takes time, and we don't have a lot of time."

But O'Brien is not all doom and gloom. He had words of praise for wideout Darrell Blackman, who returned a kickoff for a score against Clemson, and for safety DaJuan Morgan, who led the Pack with 12 tackles.

"He's playing spectacular," O'Brien said of Morgan. "What Darrell is to the offense, he's been to the defense."

Morgan had entered the interview room a few minutes before O'Brien made his comments. He was caught off guard by the kinder side of his coach.

"It was a little bit of a shock," the junior safety said. "I've never heard coach O'Brien talk to me or about anybody that way, so it kind of means a lot to me."

DEMO READY? Just this season, N.C. State defensive tackle DeMario Pressley has played with an injured elbow and has missed two games to have surgery on a knee.

Finally, it appears the former Dudley standout's luck may be turning. O'Brien said this week would be the first time this season that Pressley would have a full week of practice leading to a game.

Then O'Brien knocked on the table in front of him and added: "If he makes it through the week, and makes it to Saturday."

Contact Jim Young at 373-7016 or jyoung@news-record.com