Collegiate graduate Russell Wilson will start at quarterback for N.C. State at South Carolina on Thursday, Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said yesterday.

Wilson, a redshirt freshman, will be just the third Wolfpack QB since 1971 to start as a freshman in his first college game.

"As I've said from the beginning, the decision would be made on who we feel gives us the best opportunity to win the football game, and right now we feel Russell Wilson will do that," O'Brien said in a school release.

"He will be our starter as we go, but we certainly feel that Daniel [Evans] has some things he can contribute to this football team, as well. Russell is the starter and Daniel is the backup, but as Daniel knows, he is one play away from being the starter."

Wilson said in the release: "I believe Daniel and I can both step in and help this team win some games."

Wilson is the Wolfpack's third starting quarterback in O'Brien's two seasons. Evans made eight starts during N.C. State's 5-7 season in 2007, and third-stringer Harrison Beck started four games.

N.C. State entertains William and Mary on Sept. 6 in the Wolfpack's second game. That is W&M's opener. - John O'Connor