Pack tailback Baker gets sixth year

The NCAA has granted N.C. State senior running back Toney Baker's request for an extra season of eligibility, football coach Tom O'Brien announced Thursday after practice.

Baker missed all but one game over two seasons because of a knee injury before returning this season for the Wolfpack. Getting the extra year doesn't guarantee that Baker will return, though, because there is a chance he will enter the NFL draft after this season.

Baker returned to the starting lineup at the start of this season and leads the team with 664 rushing yards. He also has caught 24 passes for 306 yards.

O'Brien has said another healthy year at N.C. State might help erase any doubts pro scouts have about Baker's knee, but Baker wants to consider all his options after the season before committing to a return.

N.C. State reserve wide receiver Steven Howard is out for the season with a knee injury, according to the injury report the school released Thursday evening. Howard made 11 catches for 112 yards this season as a sophomore.

Basketball

Thompson, Yow receive Lapchick Awards: Hall of Famers John Thompson and the late Kay Yow, plus New York City high school coaching legend Jack Curran, received the second annual Lapchick Character Awards. They were honored Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

The award recognizes coaches who have shown the character traits and coaching skills of the Hall of Famer who coached St. John's and the New York Knicks.

Yow led N.C. State to the Women's Final Four in 1998, and her 22-year fight against breast cancer became part of her legacy.

Thompson led Georgetown to three Final Four appearances, including the 1984 national championship.

Curran will begin his 52nd season at Archbishop Molloy High School, where he has won more than 900 games, the New York State record.

The Associated Press

Men's soccer

Wake players honored: Junior midfielder Corben Bone was chosen Top Drawer Soccer's player of the year on Thursday. Also on the first team was Ike Opara. Zack Schilawski received honorable mention, and Andy Lubahn made the all-rookie second team.

Field hockey

All region honors: Ten North Carolina and five Duke players have been chosen to the NFHCA Division I All-South Region team announced Thursday.

UNC's Melanie Brill, Illse Davids, Danielle Forword, Katelyn Falgowski, Jackie Kintzer and Kelsey Kolojejchick and Duke's Lauren Miller, Amie Survilla, Rhian Jones made the first team. They are in the running for All-America honors, which will be announced on Monday.

UNC's Riley Foster, Elizabeth Drazdowski, Meghan Dawson and Caitlin Van Sickle along with Duke's Stefanie Fee and Abby Hassinger, were chosen to the second team.

From college news releases

Thursday's result

Football

No. 12 Oklahoma State 31, Colorado 28: Third-string quarterback Brandon Weeden threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the second half, leading No. 12 Oklahoma State back from an 11-point deficit for a win against visiting Colorado.

With starter Zac Robinson injured and backup Alex Cate ineffective, Weeden took over in the second half and got the offense going for the Cowboys.

The Associated Press

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