One of the key factors tonight in N.C. State’s game against South Carolina could be the injury list. And the two teams’ lists couldn’t look more different.

The Wolfpack’s list includes junior Donald Bowens and redshirt junior Jamelle Eugene, the Pack’s leading returning receiver and rusher, respectively, along with veterans in safety redshirt sophomore Javon Walker and senior guard Curtis Crouch, who is not traveling with the team for undisclosed reasons.

The Gamecocks’ list, on the other hand, is empty.

“Our team is very healthy after preseason,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said. “Just about everyone that started practice will suit up and be ready to play.”

The appearance of Eugene on the injury list came as a surprise to many – he was even listed as the starter on the Pack’s pre-game depth chart. But despite sitting out the Pack’s last scrimmage of the preseason, Eugene still won’t be ready to go Thursday night.

“When we assess and put the depth chart out for the first game, after running tests, we thought he’d be fine enough to play,” coach Tom O’Brien said. “Monday night, we saw he wasn’t ready to play. We’ll see where he is next Monday or Tuesday.”

Senior Andre Brown, who missed four games last season with a fractured foot, is set to start the game, filling in for Eugene, who took over for Brown last season.

“[Brown is] ready to go and to do whatever it takes,” O’Brien said. “Whether it’s 10 or 50 [carries], he’ll be ready to carry the ball.”

The injuries force some inexperienced players into a major spotlight. Besides being ESPN’s showcase game Thursday night, the Pack will have to battle the hostile environment of an SEC crowd.

“It certainly is a loud stadium because our fans really get involved in the game,” Spurrier said of Williams-Brice Stadium, which holds 80,250 fans. “We have not really done a super job of defending our home turf here yet. But our fans are very loud, like most all the SEC ballparks.”

The Pack faces a South Carolina defense that returns 10 starters from last season, plus star linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who started in 2006 but sat out last season with an injury.

The Gamecocks had a quarterback battle of their own this offseason, but Spurrier decided junior Tommy Beecher would start against the Wolfpack.

“[Spurrier] found himself a quarterback who he thinks he can play with,” O’Brien said. “So it’s going to be an interesting night.”