Tar Heel coach Butch Davis was predictably close-to-the-vest Monday when questioned at his regular press conference about whether tailback Ryan Houston will come out of what has appeared to be a red-shirt season and take the field Saturday against Virginia Tech.

            Houston missed the first five games because of the UNC academic probe, and with seniors Johnny White and Shaun Draughn playing well ahead of him and senior Anthony Elzy also available to play tailback in addition to his usual fullback role, the hope was to sit Houston the rest of year and preserve a year of eligibility in 2011.

            But White was lost for the year Saturday with a broken collarbone. Draughn suffered a sprained ankle and Elzy had leg cramps. Sophomore Hunter Furr was called in for emergency duty in the final quarter and played well, churning out 27 yards on three carries.

            "Ryan and I talked on Sunday and discussed several scenarios," Davis said. "A lot depends on how the other guys respond to treatment this week and who we'll have ready on Saturday."

            Davis has much of an NFL mindset when it comes to talking about injuries and potential personnel moves--the less said, the better. The media will no doubt continue to ask the questions, but it's a good bet we don't know anything for sure about Houston until game time on Saturday.