As Tom O’Brien said at his Monday press conference, no one with N.C. State is happy that junior running back Toney Baker is out for the season after suffering a knee injury.
That doesn’t hide the fact that it gives fellow junior Andre Brown a golden opportunity. Brown was the best yards-per-carry back and the most explosive runner for the Wolfpack in his previous two seasons, yet still was rewarded with 28 fewer carries than Baker.
The system on its face seemed to work — two great running backs, almost equal carries, good enough results and neither of the backs overworked. But it kept both from ever being able to play to their full potential. After all, it’s hard to get into a rhythm when you know the other guy is coming in just a few plays later.
State has the chance to make Brown the premier back in its system. Baker is very talented — and the team will now benefit from having him an extra year after Brown graduates — but Brown, with some help from Jamelle Eugene, can help the team overcome Baker’s absence.
Brown now has the chance to become a bona fide ACC superstar and chase a 1,000-yard season, something he would have had little chance of doing if Baker was still getting carries this season.Seeing Brown break to the outside for his 33-yard touchdown run against Central Florida, it’s obvious he has the tools to take advantage of getting more carries.
There’s still work for him to do. Too many times he loses yards if he doesn’t break off a big run, but more opportunities could give him the confidence to make those botched plays a thing of the past.In 24 career games, Baker and Brown started 12 each before Baker was injured Saturday. During those times, both had great games along the way, but Brown’s were the ones that stood out.
Brown ran for 248 yards against Southern Miss in 2005 during the first game he saw significant action, highlighted by a 61-yard touchdown run. A week later, he ran over a Florida State player during a 65-yard touchdown romp that got N.C. State on its way to a win at Florida State.
It was Brown’s emergence that helped State reach a bowl that season, and it’s been his big plays that highlighted the team’s running game ever since he hit the field. At times, when Baker would do well, Brown didn’t get enough carries to fully show his capability.
He won’t have limited opportunities as an excuse anymore. It’s time for Andre Brown to be a part of the discussion about the best running backs in the ACC.
Run, Andre, run.
Tell Clark if you think the football team is in trouble without Baker or if Brown will take his game to the next level this season at sports@technicianonline.com, or call him at (919) 515-2411.