NCAA grants Baker extra season

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Irving will have leg evaluated

N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving will meet with a doctor Thursday to learn more about the status of his broken leg, coach Tom O'Brien said Monday.

Irving also suffered a broken rib and collapsed lung in a June 28 car crash. He has seen doctors already to have those injuries evaluated, but the leg injury remains to be examined.

O'Brien expects to have a better idea about Irving's status for this season after Thursday's appointment. N.C. State lists Irving as out "indefinitely," and O'Brien sounds as though he's prepared for a long absence.

Pack's Bowens out until at least October

GREENSBORO - Donald Bowens, who was N.C. State's leading receiver in 2007, is out at least until October while recovering from knee surgery, coach Tom O'Brien said at the ACC media kickoff.

Bowens missed the 2008 season because of a stress fracture in his back and missed spring practice because of the knee injury.

O'Brien said wide receiver still should be a position of strength for N.C. State with veterans Owen Spencer, Jarvis Williams and T.J. Graham returning.

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.

Pack's Baker not returning next season

N.C. State tailback Toney Baker has decided not to take advantage of the sixth-year eligibility granted by the NCAA and will not return for next season.

N.C. State released a statement this morning from Baker, who intends to enter this spring's NFL draft.

"After talking to my family, my coaches and doing a lot of praying, I've decided that it's time for me to pursue playing football at the next level," Baker said. "It was a tough decision because I have loved my time at N.C. State and have really enjoyed playing for Coach [Tom] O'Brien. But after weighing all my options, I think this is the right move for me at this time in my life."

Baker undecided on future

N.C. State running back Toney Baker hasn't decided yet what he will do if the NCAA grants him a sixth season of eligibility.

Because Baker missed all but one game for two straight seasons with a serious knee injury, there's a chance that the NCAA will award him an extra season in 2010. N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien has said another healthier year with the Wolfpack would help Baker erase any doubts that NFL scouts might have about his knee.

O'Brien hopes to have a decision from the NCAA within the next couple weeks. Even if he is granted a sixth season, Baker could enter the NFL draft instead.