Eastern Kentucky @ North Carolina State preview

Matthew Dayes shined in a starring role for North Carolina State in the season opener and the running back is expected to take on a similar workload when the Wolfpack host Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Dayes rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns as North Carolina State rolled past Troy 49-21 in the absence of suspended starter Shadrach Thornton.

Thornton, the team's leading rusher in each of the last three seasons, was suspended the first two games by coach Dave Doeren for violating athletic department policy. Along with Dayes, freshmen Reggie Gallaspy II and Dakwa Nichols have been asked to hold down the fort until Thornton returns Sep. 19 for the first road game at Old Dominion. Eastern Kentucky pummeled Valparaiso 52-10 in its opener and the Colonels did so without a healthy Dy'Shawn Mobley in the backfield. Mobley, the team's leading rusher last season with 1,491 yards, was slowed by a hamstring injury suffered in fall camp and was limited to seven yards on six carries against the Crusaders.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: NL

ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY (1-0): Despite Mobley's shortcomings a week ago, North Carolina State's coach isn't taking the running back lightly. "He’s the guy who really makes their offense go," Doeren said Monday during a press conference. Mobley, a 6-1, 225-pound senior, was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and a preseason All-America selection. Eastern Kentucky has held opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in six of the last 14 games.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (1-0): Jacoby Brissett was the second-most accurate passer in the FBS after the first week of the season, completing 21-of-23 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He also managed to complete his first 12 passes before throwing an incompletion. Doeren's squad is coming off a near-perfect display on offense, converting all six red-zone trips into touchdowns and not allowing a turnover.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina State won the only previous meeting 54-10 in 2005.

2.Eastern Kentucky QB Bennie Coney looks to get his first start of the season after missing the opening series against Valparaiso because of an allergic reaction before the game.

3. North Carolina State enters Saturday's game with the sixth-most rushing attempts in the FBS with 58.

PREDICTION: North Carolina State 34, Eastern Kentucky 6