Now that Florida State's offense has established a potent running game, the Seminoles' receivers are hopeful that they soon will reap the rewards.

Playing Thursday night against an N.C. State team that ranks last in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing defense, FSU's players are expecting to see a slew of Wolfpack defenders crowding the line of scrimmage. If that happens, it would mean more man-to-man coverage on the receivers.

''I wouldn't be surprised if they load the box and then try to stop [the run],'' sophomore quarterback Christian Ponder said. ``I can't predict what they're doing. But if that happens, we'll be ready to throw that ball. That's something we'll probably have to rely on this game.''

FSU has rushed for more than 250 yards in each of its last two games, but star receivers Greg Carr and Preston Parker have been relatively quiet. That could change once opponents start keying on the ground game.

''You may stop one guy here and one guy there, but it's hard to stop all of us,'' Carr said.

• Injury report: Junior safety Jamie Robinson has worn a protective boot on his ankle during practice this week, but FSU's official injury report listed him as probable for Thursday.

-- IRA SCHOFFEL

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