ACC NOTES:

Wake Forest will continue a running game by committee today.

But, unlike the previous two games, no starter is listed on the Deacons’ depth chart for contest with Elon.

Instead the list says Kevin Harris or Josh Adams or Brandon Pendergrass. Harris started against Baylor and Stanford, but has gotten one less carry than Adams’ 13. Pendergrass has carried seven times.

Combined they have gained 134 yards, with none of them gaining more than 63. Slot back Devon Brown is Wake’s leading rusher so far with 93 yards.

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said all three of the tailbacks continue to get about the same playing time because he is pleased with their play.

“If they keep doing like they are doing, we don’t care who starts,” Wake head coach Jim Grobe. “They may disagree, they may care. But, as long as we get production out of all three guys, that can help us out, because we can keep a fresh guy in there. The thing those guys have to work hard is to remember on Saturdays you’re going to get a series and then the next guy is going to get a series. So, you’ve got to go hard when you’re out there. If we go three-and-out, then it is your fault. You’ve got to make something happen so you can stay on the field.

But throughout the game, they’re going to get their snaps.”

MANAGER HONORED

N.C. State is letting long-time equipment manager Eddie Gardner toss the coin before Saturday game between the Wolfpack and Gardner-Webb to honor his long service to the program before he retires at the end of the month.

Gardner joined the State staff in 1982 and has served as equipment manager since 1986. He has worked under six Wolfpack coaches.

“I’m just happy Eddie stayed with me for a couple of years,” O’Brien said. “Eddie said he’d give us two years and he did.”

UNFORGETTABLE SETTING

Duke coach David Cutcliffe was awed by the surroundings when the Blue Devils played the U.S. Military Academy last Saturday.

“I got down there and walked in the middle of the stadium and I swear I heard George Patton talk,” Cutcliffe said. “I kept waiting for a tank to come over the ride – it was pretty special.

“One really great moment afterwards was standings in front of the corps of cadets with those soldiers that played football for Army. I told our team Sunday night that I kept looking at those young people and kept thinking that some of them, unfortunately, night not see 30th birthday and lose their life in some faraway land.”

gsmith@hpe.com | 888-3519