When Curtis Underwood committed to N.C. State in the fall of 2006, he understood what he was getting into. Underwood, a redshirt junior running back, knew at the time that N.C. State had just signed two highly ranked running backs in Toney Baker and Andre Brown the year before and both players had exceeded expectations in their freshman seasons.    Baker rushed for more than 500 yards and scored five touchdowns, while Brown ran for 667 yards, scoring six touchdowns. Thus, Underwood knew playing time probably would be at a premium but nonetheless committed to the Pack.   And Underwood played in his first two years in Raleigh as a knee injury to Toney Baker left State short on running backs and Baker’s career in jeopardy. In his first two seasons, Underwood played sparingly, seeing time in six games his freshman year and in all 12 games as a sophomore.  Heading into last year, Underwood was positioned for a breakout season. He had paid his dues and waited his turn. Andre Brown had gone on to the NFL and all that was left was redshirt senior Jamelle Eugene as the starter and Underwood as his backup. But then Underwood’s plan hit a brick wall when Toney Baker was able to come back from multiple knee surgeries to diminish Underwood’s role to the point that coach Tom O’Brien decided to redshirt him.    “It was a shock at first,” Underwood said. “The decision was up to coach O’Brien. He pulled me into the office one day and told me that I was going to redshirt.”    Underwood admits that sitting out for him was tough, but said he understood why it had to happen and took it in stride, while using it as a motivating tool.   “Sitting out last year was hard. But it was something that needed to be done for the betterment of the program,” Underwood said. “Watching and playing with Toney, Jamelle, and Andre and just seeing the success they are having outside of football has been a motivation to me because I know I can play with those guys.”   But a year later, Underwood appeared poised to take over as the starting running back and many believed he would. However, when the depth chart was released, Underwood was nowhere to be found, as two freshmen, Dean Haynes and Mustafa Greene, were listed above him.    “Obviously it was the coach’s decision and that is what they wanted,” Underwood said. “But going through my head was, ‘I just have to keep working and can’t stop playing and trying hard.'”   And just like when he was redshirted in 2009, Underwood did not get down and start to sulk when he was not named the starter but instead learned a valuable lesson and kept working hard.    “I have learned about coming into things and just knowing not to sit back and expect things to be given to me,” Underwood said. “I have learned to work a little harder and appreciate things a little more.”   With this attitude, Underwood kept practicing hard, knowing that his chance would come. And it when finally did, Underwood took full advantage Thursday against Cincinnati, as he came in and scored his first touchdown of the season on a 13-yard pass play from quarterback Russell Wilson.    “It is all about opportunity. And once I got the opportunity I had already prepared myself mentally earlier in the week,” Underwood said. “So when it came time, I had already prepared myself as a starter.”   His play did not go unnoticed, as coach Tom O’Brien noted Underwood’s play and said he was impressed at Underwood’s continued commitment.    “He has been very patient. He knows he is going to get a chance and he is going to have an opportunity and he got it Thursday night to get in as a part of the offense,” O Brien said. “I felt very good about it and I know his teammates felt very good about it.”   When the depth chart for the Georgia Tech game was released on Monday and Underwood was still not on it, he remained focused on giving everything he has in practice, so that when opportunity comes knocking, he will be at the door to answer.    “Every week I just try to prepare like I am the starter and when my number gets called I’ll try and do my best,” Underwood said. “There is still a chance for things to change. Things happen in between games and it is just all about opportunity.”