Jagodzinski not counting on Davis

Boston College football coach Jeff Jagodzinski had the perfect explanation for it.

"It's that time of the year, guys,"said Jagodzinski as he went over the Eagles' injury list yesterday, picking out who would, and would not, be ready to play against North Carolina tomorrow.

"Wes Davis is questionable," he said of his starting free safety, who has a sprained ankle. "He will go only in an emergency."

Jagodzinski said Marty Bowman will fill in for Davis.

Missing from yesterday's practice were defensive ends Brad Newman (knee) and Austin Giles (blurred vision), "but they will be ready for the game," the coach said.

Surgical wing

It's been a busy week medically for the Eagles. Defensive end Alex Albright had surgery Monday to correct a disk problem in his neck. "It went very well," said Jagodzinski.

Linebacker Brian Toal will have surgery tomorrow to repair his broken leg, suffered in last Saturday's win over Virginia Tech. The Eagles hope Toal will be ready to participate in the NFL combine in February. "He will test unbelievable," said Jagodzinski. "It just depends on what his recovery period is. He's going to play in the NFL. He will be in somebody's camp. I would just like to see him get drafted."

On road back

Defensive end Allan Smith, whose season ended before it got started because of a knee injury this summer, was back working with the scout team this week. "He's been in rehab forever," said Jagodzinski. "Having him working with the scout team is good, but it's going to take a while." ... A win over North Carolina will make the Eagles bowl-eligible.