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East Carolina visits NC State without LB Cotton

Sep 20, 2008 - 10:05 AM No. 17 East Carolina (3-0) at NC State (1-2), 12:00 pm EDT

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- East Carolina improved to 3-0 for the first time since 1999 with last week's come-from-behind win at Tulane, but it proved to be a costly victory.

The 17th-ranked Pirates will be without senior linebacker Quentin Cotton, who returned a blocked punt 44 yards for a touchdown last week, on Saturday when they visit offensively-challenged North Carolina State.

Cotton, Conference USA's special teams Player of the Week, suffered a right knee injury in last week's 28-24 triumph against the Green Wave and likely will miss the remainder of the season.

Before going down, Cotton played a spectacular first half against Tulane. In addition to the return, which resulted in his first career touchdown, Cotton also had a sack and an interception.

His absence could hurt the Pirates' chances for a BCS bowl berth, which could be possible if they win Conference USA and run the table. East Carolina already has upset wins this year over Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

"It's look like (Cotton) will be done, which is really unfortunate because he probably played the best half of football any player has played since I've been here," East Carolina coach Skip Holtz said.

Cotton may not be missed this week against North Carolina State (1-2), which has gone 13 consecutive quarters - dating to last season - against opponents from the Football Bowl Subdivision without scoring an offensive touchdown.

The Wolfpack were blanked, 34-0, in their season opener at South Carolina and managed a field goal and defensive score in last week's 27-9 loss at Clemson. Their only win was a 34-24 decision over William & Mary of the Football Championship Subdivision.

North Carolina State is 113th in total offense in the FBS, averaging just 250 yards per game.