NC State football readies for life without Devin Leary
SYRACUSE – NC State coach Dave Doeren knew what others could only guess heading into Saturday's game against Syracuse.
He had told the media on Monday that starting quarterback Devin Leary had a partial tear to his right pectoral muscle and might be able to return at some point in the season.
Later that day, he was told that Leary would need season-ending surgery. It was information he decided to keep to himself.
"At that point, I decided that not telling people was best for our quarterbacks to get ready," Doeren said.
It was also information he kept from his team, including 25-year-old backup Jack Chambers, who said he "found out basically when you guys found out."
That news broke less than two hours before Saturday's 3:30 p.m. kickoff. Chambers went on to complete 18 of 30 passes for 160 yards as No. 15 NC State (5-2, 1-2) failed to score a touchdown in a 24-9 loss to No. 18 Syracuse (6-0, 3-0).
"I've always just felt that you have to stay ready so you don't have to get ready," Chambers said after the loss. "I've got a lot of work to do, got to improve and get better, but we'll see how it goes."
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Doeren was more open Saturday with the future of the quarterback position going forward, saying that Chambers would be the starter until further notice.
"The plan is to play them (Chambers and true freshman MJ Morris) both and I thought Jack played very hard," Doeren said. "He made plays for us with his legs, didn't turn the football over, and showed good poise. He can definitely grow from that game."
Leary, the redshirt junior who has a year of eligibility remaining after this season, was injured with five minutes remaining in the third quarter during last week's 19-17 win over Florida State.
After throwing for 35 touchdowns last season, Leary had 11 touchdowns, four interceptions and 1,265 yards in 2022.
"He's been through it before, so I don't know if that makes it better, just because he knows how to go through the mental anguish of not playing," Doeren said. "We obviously feel for Devin."
Entering the bye week, NC State has time to get healthy, even if that does not include its starting quarterback. The Wolfpack played without running back Demie Sumo-Karnbaye and lost DT Cory Durden, DB Devan Boykin, DB Joshua Harris and OL Chandler Zavala to minor injuries during Saturday's loss.
Doeren did say tight end Trent Pennix will be able to return to play in two weeks against Virginia Tech. Pennix has missed the last four games with an injury.
"It was tough," he said. "It's not easy to win a game when you're in that kind of situation. The bye week is coming at a good time."
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football readies for life without Devin Leary
