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RALEIGH — If not with a bang — that part is to be determined — Andre Brown is going out with a burst.

N.C. State's tailback, confronting his final college season with head up and shoulders low, seems intent on delivering as many hits as he absorbs. His per-carry average of 4 yards won't blow you away, but it's legitimate and reflective of a willingness to pound the middle as the Wolfpack (1-2) prepares to host 15th-ranked East Carolina (3-0) at noon Saturday.

"He's playing with a lot of emotion and a lot of power," coach Tom O'Brien said. "He's certainly different than he was a year ago at this time with running, going up inside and fighting to get us those extra yards, which you have to do in order to make first downs."

Only three of Brown's 52 runs so far have gone for more than 10 yards, but only four have resulted in losses. If met at the line of scrimmage, he's a pretty good bet to make something out of nothing. And when your career has been imperiled by injury, you take whatever you can get. Or whatever you can dish out.

"Senior year," he said. "Get it and go. I feel no different, but I have to run hard and do what I have to do to make plays for my team and put us in a position to win the game."

Brown was off to an outstanding start to 2007 — 83 carries for 427 yards in five games — before the Wolfpack met Florida State. He suffered a broken foot in that one, missed the next four games and was only able to make cameo appearances in the final two contests. The ending of that campaign told Brown that when he was fully healthy again, he'd have to throw caution to whatever dull breeze was circulating in August.

As of yet, there has been little sign of a breakaway runner, but that's not so bad. State's skill players have been so banged up that a grinding style must be their offensive calling card. When a game is close, there's really nothing wrong with consecutive 4-yard runs — particularly when they leave a message for linebackers. Accumulation of first downs and a healthy, continuous flow of the game clock are two of the things the Pack will have to do against the Pirates, whose quarterback, Patrick Pinkney, has completed 76 percent of his passes.

"You can't be overworked," Brown said after a 14-carry, 64-yard performance at Clemson last week. "Not in a four-quarter football game when you've been through it all since January. You come out here and this is your showcase."

State hopes to get tailback Jamelle Eugene and tight end Anthony Hill back at some point in 2008, and it will need them both. Playing undermanned over an entire season is no way to make a bowl game, which the program has missed the past two seasons.

"Seniors have to lead the team," Brown said. "This is my last year, and I've got to go out with something to brag about."

Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rob.daniels@news-record.com