NC State linebacker Isaiah Moore is the latest Wolfpack player out for the season
The injury bug has taken another big bite out of the N.C. State football program.
Junior linebacker Isaiah Moore will miss the season for the Wolfpack, head coach Dave Doeren announced on Monday. Graduate offensive lineman Chandler Zavala, who missed the last two games, is also done for the season. Moore, a captain, is the fourth starter on defense done for the year.
“That to me was the biggest loss of the game,” Doeren said. “Losing a player of that magnitude, a leader of that magnitude.”
Doeren confirmed both Moore and Zavala will need surgery. They could both return to N.C. State for another season if they choose.
On Miami’s first running play of the game, Moore was in on the play but stayed on the ground clutching his knee.
Moore was taken to the medical tent on the sidelines, but did return to play a few snaps. He left the field shortly before halftime and did not return. Freshman Devon Betty filled in and finished with seven tackles.
Betty, from Carver Ranches, Fla., has appeared in five games this season. He finished with seven tackles versus Furman and had one tackle for loss that led to a safety against Boston College. Against Miami, he had 2.5 tackles for loss.
Before the Miami game Moore was second on the team in tackles with 43 stops and five tackles for loss.
Next man up
Having already lost starters at various points of the season, mainly on defense, the “next man up” mentality will have to continue.
In the linebacker room, Jaylon Scott has filled in for Payton Wilson, who went down in the second game of the season. Now defensive coordinator Tony Gibson will work to get the best three on the field. Scott, a sophomore, has played “his best football” according to Doeren.
Doeren said it was too soon to say if Scott, who has played all three positions, or Thomas will move to the middle because they are more experienced, or if Betty will take over for Moore.
“Tony is going to have to teach them all how to play (middle),” Doeren said. “Jaylon already knows how to play all three spots. Drake has played Sam (strong side) and Will (weak side), Levi (Jones) has played Sam and Will, he’ll have to cross train one of those guys and then we’ll see how it plays out. The goal is to get your best three out there and have one who can spell guys.”
Jones has made the biggest plays of his career on special teams, blocking two punts a year ago. Jones played 22 snaps from scrimmage versus Miami, finishing with four tackles. A combination of Thomas, Scott and Jones would be the most experienced group Gibson could put on the field, but Doeren wouldn’t rule out Betty learning on the fly.
“He’s done a nice job,” Doeren said. “He’s been very productive. The thing I will say about him, he’s a very conscientious guy, he studies film, he’s ready to play. He’ll do everything he can to be as good as he can each week.”
Doeren added that Betty was ahead of his years when it comes to preparing.
On the offensive side of the ball, Derrick Eason has started the last two games for Zavala. Dylan McMahon has moved from right guard to left guard since Zavala has been out. Junior Bryson Speas has started at right tackle, but can play all five positions, which allows the team some flexibility. Doeren said the coaches need to groom a younger player to add to the rotation moving forward.
One of the main positives that N.C. State had coming into the season was its depth, and suddenly that is fading away.
“We were backed up seniors with juniors,” Doeren said. “Now it’s juniors with freshmen.”
The defense hasn’t just lost starters, but leaders. Wilson and Moore were captains. Safety Cyrus Fagan and defensive lineman C.J. Clark were very vocal. It’s one thing to have to replace production, but the team will also have to communicate better moving forward.
“It puts more stress on the guys around them,” Doeren said. “They are going to have to step up and take advantage of the role. Drake’s going to have to be that vocal guy now. These guys are going to have to step up and help us.”
This story was originally published October 25, 2021 at 12:09 PM with the headline "NC State linebacker Isaiah Moore is the latest Wolfpack player out for the season."
