In the self-centered, insecure, addictive world that is major college football, there is but one absolute truth that runs in the face of everything else.

You never celebrate anyone becoming injured. Most of all, a member of your team.

It's the quickest way to insure the football gods will strike you next.

But on Sept. 2, that Sunday morning when the sun came up despite N.C. State losing its season opener to Central Florida, something changed in Andre Brown's life.

Toney Baker, Brown's co-starter for two seasons and the start of a third, underwent exploratory knee surgery that morning. He came out of the room having undergone major knee surgery and with the knowledge he would miss the final 11 games of the 2007 season.

And then, at that moment, Brown became the clear No. 1. Suddenly, he had his chance.

Brown has responded. He gained 63 yards up in Chestnut Hill, Mass., against Boston College, the fourth-best rushing defense in the country.

Last Saturday, against FCS top-10 Wofford, Brown led N.C. State to a game-opening scoring drive. From there, he was classic Brown – all the power in the world, combined with an ability to make defenders miss.

This is the Brown we saw at Greenville Rose. This is the Brown we saw his freshman season at N.C. State, torching Florida State and Southern Miss defenses with all the ferocity of General Sherman.

Baker was N.C. State's leading rusher in 2006, and Brown had few moments of personal glory.

Neither will admit it, but it has been difficult to share this job. They are the most talented running backs in North Carolina, bar none. But they share a team, and a position. One man succeeding means another is failing.

For nine games, Brown has a chance to make this position his. If an NFL career is to be in his future, now is the time to prove it.

Not many backup college backs make the NFL. Priest Holmes and Willie Parker are the exceptions, both with unfortunate circumstances – the former having played with Ricky Williams, the latter having played for John Bunting.

And it would be especially hard for either Brown or Baker to get scouts' attention because of the way they run. They are so similar in style, it's not a situation where both can have their plays, their series, their moments. Clemson's James Davis and C.J. Spiller do have that benefit, and both are top prospects.

Baker will be back next season, with likely two years of eligibility remaining.

Brown will have had 11 games, including a full season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, to make himself better. To earn himself a reputation among the TV talking heads, scouts and NFL executives who decide the haves and have nots.

We've seen flashes of brilliance. Now it's time to see the full production.

Sports writer H. Williams Kellenberger can be reached at 407-9950 or hwkellenberger@coxnc.com