Matt Gentry | The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech tailback Darren Evans will remain No. 2 on the depth chart behind Kenny Lewis Jr. Evans gained 94 yards last Saturday.

Virginia Tech's sputtering offense hopes to be a little more "Macho" on Saturday.

Tech coach Frank Beamer said Monday that he hopes to use star cornerback Macho Harris more at wide receiver in the Hokies' ACC road opener at North Carolina on Saturday.

Harris drew his first college start on offense and played nine snaps last Saturday against Georgia Tech. He caught a screen pass from Tyrod Taylor on Tech's first play, but he had no place to run and was tackled for a 1-yard loss. Taylor missed him on another pass play on the first play of Tech's fourth-quarter drive that resulted in Dustin Keys' 21-yard field goal that gave the Hokies a 20-17 victory.

"I think [Harris] needs to play more series, not just plays," said Beamer, whose passing offense ranks 116th out of 119 Division I-A teams, averaging a putrid 85 yards per game.

"I think its gets too hard to call it just plays. He needs to be able to play a series, a couple series, three series, four series, whatever. We're going to try to have a good plan for that."

On the rise

Second-year coach Butch Davis has UNC headed in the right direction. After struggling to beat I-AA McNeese State 35-27 in their Aug. 30 season opener, the Tar Heels enjoyed a huge coming-out party last Thursday at Rutgers, where they trounced the Scarlet Knights, 44-12.

"I think they showed their real team up at Rutgers," Beamer said. "Boy, that was impressive. Just the whole outfit there. This is the best football team we've played so far."

Despite going 4-8 last season, UNC was picked second behind Tech to win the Coastal Division in the ACC media's preseason poll. The Las Vegas oddsmakers are so impressed at the young Heels' progress that they have established them as an early 2-point favorite over the Hokies.

DeChristopher may return

Beamer said the Hokies may regain the services of right offensive tackle Blake DeChristopher for UNC. The redshirt freshman started the season opener against East Carolina but was hurt on Tech's fourth offensive snap. He missed the past two games with an injured left leg and bruised kidney.

"I think we'll announce that on Thursday, but I sure would like to have him back," Beamer said. "We're going to need everything we've got for this one."

Lewis still No. 1

Beamer said he expects running backs coach Billy Hite to stay with junior Kenny Lewis Jr. as his starter at tailback. Redshirt freshman Darren Evans, who ran for 94 yards vs. Georgia Tech, will get his time, though.

"I don't think there's any question that [No.] 32 needs to get in the game -- quite a bit," said Beamer of Evans.

Beamer said during his weekly radio show Monday night that highly touted freshman tailback Ryan Williams will be redshirted this season.

Quick slants

UNC was 31st and Tech 32nd in this week's AP poll. No. 33 on the list was Nebraska (2-0), where Tech plays a week from Saturday in an 8 p.m. game that will be televised by ABC. ... Tech's offense ranks 107th in the country at 273 yards per game. The defense, which has finished in the top four in the nation the past four years, ranks 58th (334.3 ypg). ... Junior fullback Kenny Younger is scheduled for knee surgery. Jahre Cheeseman, a junior who has been buried in the crowded tailback spot, has been getting some reps at fullback in practice. ... For a third straight week, Beamer has made his two quarterbacks -- Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon -- off limits for media interviews.