It's strictly business for the Wolfpack

RALEIGH -- Mike Glennon, Jake Vermiglio, J.R. Sweezy and Markus Kuhn are all listed on N.C. State's two-deep depth chart for the Wolfpack's game Saturday at Central Florida.

However, judging from Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien's comments Monday, it might be wise not to read too much into what's on paper.

Glennon, the backup quarterback, injured a knee Saturday in the second half of State's 48-7 win over Western Carolina. Vermiglio, Sweezy and Kuhn were suspended and did not dress for the game.

Asked Monday if having Glennon listed on the depth chart was a good sign, O'Brien said his team's injury report did not have to be released until Thursday. He also indicated, though, that since Central Florida might not be obligated under Conference USA rules to release an injury report, the Wolfpack may not, either.

In other words, with N.C. State's practices closed, Glennon's status may not be publicly known until Saturday.

Vermiglio, Sweezy and Kuhn were charged in April with possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession of marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of using a controlled substance. The charges later were dropped when a judge ruled the police search was improper.

In talking about their status for the UCF game, O'Brien said, "We'll go through a week of practice, and then I'll make that determination."

Vermiglio is listed as the starting left offensive tackle, and Sweezy and Kuhn as backups at defensive tackle. All could be needed Saturday in Orlando, Fla., against Central Florida, which hammered South Dakota 38-7 last week in the Knights' opener.

UCF rushed for 231 yards and passed for 241, picking up 27 first downs and converting seven of its 10 third-downs. Sophomore tailback Jonathan Davis rushed for 107 yards on 20 carries, while quarterbacks Rob Calabrese and Jeff Godfrey combined to complete 18 of 22 throws.

"Our quarterback play was efficient and consistent," UCF coach George O'Leary said Monday. "It was a good win, a good first game, but there is enough to work on and correct this week."

Tackling, for one thing. O'Leary said the Knights' defense "had too many grabbers" on it in the opener, but he generally was pleased with allowing just 220 total yards to South Dakota.

O'Leary and O'Brien have gone head-to-head many times, first as assistant coaches in the ACC and then as head coaches. Neither will forget the last time, however.

In O'Brien's first game at N.C. State in 2007, Central Florida tailback Kevin Smith burst 80 yards for a touchdown on the game's first play, and the Knights eventually held on for a 25-23 win at Carter-Finley Stadium.

"That gave our kids a little more confidence," said O'Leary, whose team went 10-4 and won the Conference USA title.

Wolfpack receiver Owen Spencer was a freshman that September day in 2007, playing his first college game. Smith's TD bolt and the Knights' win was a jolt to the system.

"I was excited coming out of the tunnel [before the game] and seeing all the fans screaming for us," Spencer said. "The first snap, they take it 80, so it took a lot of wind out of our sails.

"At that point in time, I didn't know what to expect. After I thought about it, it's what college football is all about. It really hit me there. this is sometimes how it plays out."

Spencer now is a senior. The Pack goes to Central Florida with a 1-0 record, with Russell Wilson at quarterback, with Spencer and a lot of others ready to catch the ball.

"Good receivers who can all go the distance," O'Leary said.

Looking at N.C. State's defense, O'Leary said he saw a lot of players "who show up at the ball at the same time."

What O'Brien and Spencer want is for the Wolfpack to show up in Florida as a determined, intense, focused group. Forget the loss in 2007. It's all about this week, this season.

"We have a sense of focus we never had before," Spencer said. "This is a business trip. Every game is business."