Week 4: East Carolina at N.C. State

This game, featuring in-state rivals with fans who don’t like each other, has been called “The Backyard Brawl” over the years. Given the amount of injuries these teams have suffered in 2008, that name is even more appropriate this season.

N.C. State gets more bad news with each passing week. The Wolfpack offense has been playing without its top wide receiver (Donald Bowens), its top two tight ends (Anthony Hill and Matt Kushner), its leading rusher from 2007 (Jamelle Eugene) and its leading rusher from 2006 (Toney Baker) because of injuries, so it’s no wonder that N.C. State ranks among the nation’s bottom 20 in scoring (14.3 points per game), rushing (97.3 yards per game), passing (153.0 ypg) and total offense (250.3 ypg).

But now the defense has suffered a big loss. Junior tackle Alan-Michael Cash, N.C. State’s best defensive lineman, injured a knee in last week’s 27-9 loss to Clemson and is out indefinitely after surgery.

East Carolina, seeking its first 4-0 start since 1999 after rallying to win at Tulane 28-24 last week, can sympathize with the Wolfpack’s plight. The Pirates lost starting tailback Dominique Lindsay and starting defensive tackle Brandon Setzer for the season with knee injuries during training camp, and they suffered another huge loss against Tulane.

Linebacker Quentin Cotton, who intercepted a pass and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Green Wave, likely is out for the season with a right knee injury. Starting left tackle Stanley Bryant has a knee injury of his own, one that likely will keep him sidelined for this week.

While both teams are banged up, East Carolina has the edge because it features stability at quarterback. Senior Patrick Pinkney has completed 75.9 percent of his passes this season and has thrown just one interception, while N.C. State is relying on redshirt freshman Russell Wilson. Wilson has potential, but he is more dangerous as a runner than as a passer at this point in his career. He has completed just 11 of 26 passes for 104 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

Notes/Things to Watch

N.C. State leads the all-time series 15-10, including a 34-20 upset victory at ECU last season.

This contest kicks off a four-game homestand for N.C. State, the team’s longest streak of games at Carter-Finley Stadium since 1984.

East Carolina coach Skip Holtz’s father, Lou Holtz, went 4-0 against ECU as N.C. State’s head coach from 1972-75.

N.C. State has not scored an offensive touchdown against a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision in 13 consecutive quarters dating to last season. That streak must end this week if the Wolfpack has any hope of sinking the Pirates.

If votes were taken at this point of the season, N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving likely would be the ACC’s defensive player of the year. The redshirt sophomore has intercepted a pass in all three games, including one he returned for a touchdown last week at Clemson, while averaging 9.3 tackles per game.

Key Player (Pirates) — D.J. Scott, LT

Scott, a 6-6, 320-pound sophomore, likely will take over at left tackle for the injured Bryant. He’ll have his hands full with N.C. State defensive ends Willie Young and Shea McKeen, who are tied for the team lead with 1.5 sacks apiece.

Key Player (Wolfpack) — Andre Brown, RB

Brown, a senior from Greenville, will be playing against his hometown team for the final time. Brown has rushed for 208 yards this season, and he impressed his coaches last week with a solid all-around game (14 carries for 64 yards, four catches for 51 yards) against Clemson.

East Carolina by 7