N.C. State loses starting QB, LB for South Florida

College Football

N.C. State loses starting QB, LB for South Florida

By Emily Seck

Sep 22, 2008

comments

POST

RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. State’s starting quarterback Russell Wilson and its best defensive player, linebacker Nate Irving, are out for Saturday’s game against No. 13 South Florida.

Harrison Beck is listed as the starting quarterback, with Daniel Evans as the backup.

Coach Tom O’Brien did not give any specifics on Wilson’s injury and had no comment on the injuries to Wilson or Irving.

“They are both injured and won’t play,” O’Brien said Monday. “It’s indefinite. I have no idea how long it is going to be. I don’t have to discuss the injuries until Thursday so I’m not going to say anything.”

N.C. State releases information on injuries on Thursday, usually after O’Brien has spoken to the media.

However, WRAL has learned that Wilson has a shoulder injury – although it is not clear which one – and Irving has a high ankle sprain.

Wilson was named the ACC offensive back of the week for his performance against No. 15 East Carolina. He led the Wolfpack to a 30-24 overtime victory and completed 21-of-31 passes for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Irving was injured in the second quarter with the Pirates. He returned for a few plays with a heavily taped lower leg before leaving the field with a trainer.

Irving leads the defense with 34 tackles and 3 interceptions.

“He’s an experienced player,” linebacker Ray Michel said. “I don’t want to say it’s going to be hard to replace him, but there’s going to be a drought there.”

Wilson and Irving are the latest players to get bit by the injury bug. So far this season, State has had 10 starters miss a total of 27 games in what has been a crushing blow for a Wolfpack team in its second season under O'Brien.

“We’ve been dealing with it all year,” O’Brien said. “That’s the amazing thing about the win on Saturday. We’ve got nine or ten starters that aren’t playing on this football team and it has consistently been that way. When you look at the schedule, it’s amazing we played the way we have.”

Wilson is set to miss his second game of the season. The quarterback suffered a grade 3 concussion in the South Carolina game and did not play against William and Mary.