We are heading into week ten in the ACC and across the country and the story that has dominated the headlines continues to be the injury bug that has captured some key players all around college football.
North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren announced on Thursday afternoon that starting running back Matt Dayes will miss the rest of the year due to a foot injury. Dayes is scheduled to have surgery on Friday, dealing a crucial blow to the running game of the Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3 ACC).
Dayes was the rushing touchdown leader in the conference after this past weekend, as his 12 scores pace the ACC. In addition to leading the conference in rushing touchdowns, he entered this week as the third leading rusher in the ACC at 865 yards on the season, while averaging just a tick over 108 yards per game.
It’s not the first time that the Wolfpack have dealt with attrition at running back this season, as their co-starter, Shadrach Thornton, was kicked off of the team in late September due to an off-field incident involving hitting a student with a scooter (you can’t make this stuff up). Head coach Dave Doeren spoke in the press conference on Thursday about having a ,”next man up” mentality. Who that next man to fill the position is anybody’s guess at this point, but talented freshman Reggie Gallaspy should see an increased role in the offense due to the injury to Dayes.
NC State next plays on Saturday against Boston College (3-6, 0-6 ACC).
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