Wren Was Kicking Himself After First Game

Jim Wren is considered the best punter in the country, and he’s eager to put his uncharacteristically inconsistent first game behind.

“I just need a big game this week or it will drive me crazy,” said Wren, who had two 53-yard punts against Florida State but three of 35 yards or less.

“I got about eight minutes’ sleep that night,” Wren said. “I don’t know what happened. I watched the film about 50 times. It was just one little thing every time. I was trying so hard to do it right.

“More than anything, I was just rushing. I’d give anything to have those back.”

Wren acknowledges he was probably struggling with high expectations--other people’s and his own.

“Last year people were telling me I [was no good] and I just did my thing,” he said. “This time they were saying, ‘You’ve got to really hit one.’ I didn’t feel like myself.”

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Center Jonathan Himebauch said the offensive line will miss Chris Brymer’s leadership this week with Brymer out because of a foot injury, but he thinks the group can improve.

“We looked at [the Florida State game] as a learning experience,” Himebauch said. “We came into the game expecting good things to happen. You can’t just expect good things; you need to make them happen.”

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Backup quarterback Quincy Woods figures to make his debut at receiver today. He’s listed on the depth chart as the backup to R. Jay Soward, along with converted cornerback Ken Haslip. . . . Chad Morton will start at free safety over Darnell Lacy after slipping behind Lacy before the first game because he missed time because of a hamstring problem. . . . Sophomore center Eric Denmon will sit out about four weeks because of arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. . . . Jason Grain and Matt McShane will back up left guard David Pratchard, who is replacing Brymer, the injured starter. . . . A crowd of about 50,000 is expected at the Coliseum.