Byline: Bob Thomas, Times-Union staff writer

Opening lines: N.C. State's Rivers No. 1 in pass efficiency . . . 'Pack jumps 'Noles in coaches poll . . . Bunting: "We haven't stopped anybody."

FODDER

SETTING: North Carolina QB Darian Durant set single-game school records with 417 passing and 426 total yards in the Tar Heels' 38-35 win at Arizona State. Durant tied the Wolfpack mark of five TD passes, a record-setting four to WR Chesley Borders.

SITTING: Maryland TB Bruce Perry, last season's ACC Offensive Player of the Year, hasn't taken a snap this season while recovering from a groin injury. The Terps may apply for a medical hardship.

RETURNING: N.C. State welcomes the return of LB Dantonio Burnette, C Jed Paulsen and TB T.A. McLendon -- all starters -- from surgeries in time to start Saturday's rivalry game at North Carolina.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Florida State at Miami, Saturday, noon (ABC): When is a non-conference game more important than a conference game? When FSU has the chance to get back into the Bowl Championship Series' national title chase, which means more $$$ for the rest of the ACC.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Florida State TB Greg Jones: The junior (left) had 165 rushing yards and three TDs in a 48-31 victory against Clemson. Jones' 64-yard run just before the half set up the go-ahead score and FSU never again trailed.

BY THE NUMBERS

138:2

Wake Forest QB James MacPherson has attempted 138 consecutive passes without an interception, dating to the first quarter of last season's finale at Northern Illinois. He has two TD passes in that stretch.

1:10

One out of every 10 pass attempts by Virginia QB Matt Schaub and N.C. State QB Philip Rivers has gone for a touchdown this season.

SAY WHAT?

"They are more of a red and white when you get them in the sun. They're psychedelic. All we need are strobe lights and I'd really be in fashion."

Chuck Amato

N.C. State coach on the sunglasses he was sporting during a recent ESPN interview.

POWER POLL

Football rankings

1. Florida State

Record: 5-1, 4-0 ACC.

Last week (rank): beat Clemson, 48-31 (1).

Saturday: noon at Miami (ABC).

Comment: Upset would put 'Noles back in title chase. …