What we learned about NC State in its comeback win over FSU with Devin Leary sidelined
Jack Chambers began the game Saturday on the N.C. State sideline, ready but realistic, all set to watch Devin Leary run the Wolfpack offense against Florida State.
Chambers once was a starting quarterback — at Charleston Southern. He transferred to NCSU before this season as a graduate student, more than willing to be Leary’s backup in what could be his final year of college football.
But as the coaches like to say, roles can change quickly. Every play can make a difference.
Leary was popped — hard — throwing a pass. He left the field in the third quarter clutching his right arm, later returning with his arm in a sling.
In a flash, Chambers went from sideline observer to central figure, helping the No. 14 Wolfpack to a 19-17 comeback win over the Seminoles at Carter-Finley Stadium.
“It was surreal in a way,” Chambers said after the ACC victory. ”It was exciting to see this team do great things.”
No nerves, he said. The players told him they had his back and he said that he had theirs. After taking his first hit, he was fully in game mode.
There was a matter of winning a game, and the Wolfpack did, even as Chambers mostly ran the ball and kept things simple.
“I knew what the defense was going to do,” he said. “We just had to step up and do our jobs.”
Chambers did his job. Placekicker Christopher Dunn did his, kicking three field goals in the second half. Shyheim Battle picked off a Jordan Travis pass. Devan Boykin picked off another with 38 seconds left, sealing the victory.
NCSU coach Dave Doeren said after the game that X-rays on Leary’s shoulder were negative — a positive for the Pack — but that the QB would have an MRI on Sunday.
“Say your prayers for him,” Doeren said. “I know he’s down.”
What was learned in this win about the Pack?
What a threesome
There may be no better group of linebackers than the Wolfpack’s Isaiah Moore, Drake Thomas and Payton Wilson. They were the leaders of the Pack in the second half as the defense shut out the Seminoles, roaming the field, combining for 34 tackles — 14 by Thomas.
“We went in at halftime and as a defense we got together and were talking,” Thomas said. “There was no doubt in our mind. We said we’re going to win this game and we were going to shut them out in the second half. We went out there and got the job done.”
Resiliency isn’t a given
It is a resilient group at N.C. State. Many teams talk about showing resiliency but it’s in moments of real stress and adversity that a team’s true nature is learned.
The Pack easily could have let Leary’s injury totally deflate it. Leary led the Pack to a touchdown to begin the second half, then was hurt. The sight of their leader, in pain, being helped to the locker room could have been devastating.
“But these guys have a lot of heart,” Doeren said.
The Pack needs Leary back
A serious injury to Leary could be hard for the Pack to overcome. The Wolfpack can only hope Leary’s shoulder injury is much like Payton Wilson’s in the season opener at East Carolina — painful, keeping him out a few games, but not a season-ender.
Chambers responded to the challenge Saturday. He’s an older guy and has experience. He kept his cool under pressure. But his offensive package was limited and could remain that way to a certain degree if Leary has a long-term injury.
This story was originally published October 9, 2022 at 8:20 AM with the headline "What we learned about NC State in its comeback win over FSU with Devin Leary sidelined."
