College-Football Notebook: UNC's Taylor will miss opener

By: JournalNow Staff | JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
Published: September 01, 2009

■ Ryan Taylor will not play Saturday in North Carolina's season-opener against The Citadel.

Taylor, a senior H-back from Winston-Salem and Mount Tabor High School, is still recovering from a sprained right knee suffered in practice Aug. 11.

"He's still hobbled right now," Coach Butch Davis said.

"It'll probably be at least a minimum of another week to 10 days before we start talking about is there a realistic chance (of playing). You always want to err on the side of caution anytime somebody's coming off knee surgery."

Taylor was the No. 1 player at his position when injured. He said he wanted to return in time for the opener.

Taylor stopped using crutches about a week ago, and team trainers said he is about midway through his recovery time. Christian Wilson, a sophomore, is now listed as the starter at H-back.

"Ryan wanted to be back two days after the injury happened," Davis said. "He loves to play and he's a great guy. Our football team, they need guys like him."

-- Bill Cole

■ Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards returned to practice yesterday afternoon for the first time since injuring his right foot in a lawn-mowing accident 26 days ago.

After running under the supervision of Appalachian's athletic training staff earlier in the day, Edwards suited up and participated in most drills during ASU's 90-minute practice.

Edwards, a three-time All-American, began rehabilitation of the foot injury two weeks ago and resumed throwing last Monday. In last Thursday's practice, he joined briefly for 7-on-7 drill, but yesterday marked his first return.

■ Winston-Salem State has announced that single-game reserved parking passes in Bowman Gray Stadium's south lot for Saturday's game against N.C. A&T will go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Bowman Gray Stadium fieldhouse.

Fans wishing to secure reserved parking will be allowed to purchase tailgating spaces with the purchase of, or proof of purchase of, a game ticket.

For more information on tickets call 750-3220, and for information on reserved parking call Yvonne Dixon at 750-3336.