It had been 31 years since a true freshman at North Carolina State rushed for more than 100 yards in his first college game. But it finally happened last Saturday when Shadrach Thornton rushed for 145 yards on 21 carries in a victory over The Citadel.

Thornton gained 35 yards on four carries on the Wolfpack’s first series, including a 19-yard touchdown run. Thornton’s all-purpose yards: 171. He also caught four passes for 26 yards.

“It seems strange he doesn’t play at all the first three weeks, then, all of a sudden, he bursts out,” a reporter told N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien on this week’s ACC teleconference. “Can you explain what happened?”

Replied O’Brien: “What happened is last Saturday we had no healthy running backs. He was the only one that was healthy. … It was kind of a necessity that we had to play him, but he certainly was ready.”

Thornton is listed first on the depth chart this week, ahead of redshirt sophomore Tony Creecy, who had an undisclosed injury. Creecy could play Saturday – though Thornton will get his share of carries. Thornton is listed first on the depth chart.

• Freshman linebacker Raphael Kirby, who has not played yet because of a leg injury, is listed as probable on the official ACC injury report. But linebacker Denzel Perryman will miss his second game in a row with a high ankle sprain. The report did not list punter Dalton Botts, who sprained his right ankle last week against Georgia Tech.

Golden said earlier in the week he was hopeful Botts could at least try to kick by Thursday, and then the coach could make his decision accordingly.