NC State’s first ACC win of the season came with a price tag, and it’s a steep one heading into Saturday’s matchup with Wake Forest in Raleigh.
The Wolfpack’s initial Availability Report does not read kindly. NC State is already set to be without four starters: running back Duke Scott, left guard Yousef Mugharbil, center Spike Sowells Jr. and safety Tristan Teasdell. On top of that, four more players are listed as questionable, including three starters.
Scott is the most obvious offensive hit. He left Saturday’s 31-28 win over Louisville with an injury and later returned to the sideline wearing a boot on his foot.
At the time, the severity wasn’t clear. Now it is: he’s out against Wake Forest.
That puts more pressure on Davion Gause, who answered the call against Louisville. The UNC transfer ran 21 times for 69 yards and added three catches for 45 yards, finishing with 114 yards from scrimmage. NC State will likely lean on him again.
The offensive line picture looks even messier. Mugharbil is out after leaving the Louisville game, and Sowells will miss his fourth straight contest.
That already leaves NC State short two starters, but the uncertainty doesn’t stop there. Left tackle Jimarion McCrimon and right guard Kamen Smith are both questionable.
McCrimon also missed the Louisville game, so his status remains up in the air.
Of the Wolfpack’s five original starting offensive linemen, Teague Andersen is the only one not listed on the report.
There are a few ways NC State could piece things together. Texas transfer Daniel Cruz made his first start at center against Louisville and played every snap, so he appears lined up to handle that spot again with Sowells sidelined.
Rico Jackson started at left tackle in McCrimon’s place and could stay there if McCrimon can’t return. If McCrimon is available, Jackson could slide inside to left guard, where he has already taken snaps this season.
And if Smith can’t go at right guard, Trent Mitchell could be the next man up.
However it shakes out, the line is going to look different again.
The Wolfpack also has to deal with a change on defense. Teasdell is out at safety, which likely sends Penn State transfer King Mack back into the starting role. Mack opened the season at Virginia before Teasdell took over the job and started NC State’s last four games.
There’s also uncertainty at wide receiver. Jojo Trader is questionable after leaving the Louisville game with an injury and later appearing on the sideline in a boot on his foot.
He just turned in the best receiving game of his college career, catching five passes for a career-high 92 yards against Louisville. If he can’t play or is limited, Tyran Warren should see more work.
Warren had two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals, including a 34-yard scoring grab from CJ Bailey.
Reserve defensive lineman Adrian Farrow is also questionable.
NC State managed to survive a patched-together lineup against Louisville, and Bailey still threw for a career-high 373 yards. But the Wolfpack is heading into Wake Forest with far less certainty than it had a week ago.
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