NDSU QB Wentz expected to start vs. Weber St.

(STATS) - North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to start Saturday against Weber State after missing practice time because of a high ankle

North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz (11) warms up before the start of their NCAA college football game against Montana Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Missoula, in Mont. (AP Photo/) / Rick Bowmer

(STATS) - North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to start Saturday against Weber State after missing practice time because of a high ankle sprain.

Wentz was listed first on the team's depth chart, and an athletic department spokesman confirmed Friday the 6-foot-6 fifth-year senior is expected to take the field for the four-time defending FCS champion's opening drive.

Wentz returned to practice this week after sitting out during the team's bye last week. He was injured in the Bison's 38-35 season-opening loss at Montana on Aug. 29.

Wentz, named to the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List, is considered the top FCS quarterback prospect for the 2016 NFL Draft. Last season, he set NDSU single-season records for passing attempts (358), completions (228) and yards (3,111), as well as total offense per game (234.6). He won Most Outstanding Player honors in the national championship game.

Weber State (0-1) has won only two games in each of the last three seasons, so second-ranked NDSU (0-1) may not even need him to be 100 percent to win its home opener. The Bison won at Weber State 24-7 last season.

Redshirt freshman Easton Stick, Wentz's backup, has prepared with the first team. A touted member of NDSU's 2014 recruiting class, Stick was part of the travel squad last season, although he never played in a game, preserving his freshman eligibility. He played well in NDSU's spring game in April.