Football fight suspensions will leave NC State shorthanded against ECU

The fight from the end of N.C. State’s win at North Carolina will cost the Wolfpack against East Carolina.

Starting offensive linemen Tyler Jones and Justin Witt are two of the N.C. State players who were suspended for a half for their role in an on-field fight following the Wolfpack’s 34-28 overtime win at UNC.

“It’s not ideal,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. “Obviously, losing your left tackle and right tackle (is) not ideal but we’ll find a way.”

The ACC announced the suspensions on Monday. Jones, Witt and backup safety Freddie Phillips have to sit out one half of N.C. State’s game with ECU this Saturday.

UNC had four players suspended for one half: linebacker Dominique Ross, cornerback Patrice Rene, safety J.K. Britt and defensive tackle Jeremiah Clarke. Britt and Clarke are seniors, the other two players will have to serve the punishment in the 2019 opener against South Carolina.

The ACC did not specify which half the players have to sit.

“Fortunately, they’re allowing me to split the suspensions up if I want to,” Doeren said. “So it may be a first-half, second-half deal.”

Tyrone Riley started at right tackle for Witt in the Syracuse loss on Oct. 27. Terronne Prescod could also be moved out to tackle, and Joe Sculthorpe used at guard, if necessary.

“We don’t have great depth there but I know our guys, staff-wise, will put together a good plan and it’s a next-man-up opportunity for somebody,” Doeren said.

N.C. State (8-3) finishes the regular season with ECU (3-8) on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium. The game was added to the schedule after N.C. State’s game with West Virginia, and ECU’s game at Virginia Tech, were canceled by the weather effects of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 15.

This story was originally published November 26, 2018 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Football fight suspensions will leave NC State shorthanded against ECU."