NC State football loses another key defender for season. What that means for Wolfpack
N.C. State is down another safety for the rest of the season after a second defender suffered a season-ending injury, head coach Dave Doeren announced Monday.
Graduate student Rakeim Ashford sustained a knee injury on the first drive of the game Saturday against Marshall. Doeren said an opposing player “flew into the side of his leg.”
Doeren didn’t go into the specifics, but said surgery is required.
“I felt so bad for him; been through a ton this year, obviously with the hit at UConn and now this,” Doeren said. “Football’s a great sport, and it’s also a tough sport when it comes to injury, so that one hurts.”
Ashford played in just three games this fall. He opened the season at UConn, but an opposing player tackled him out of bounds on a special teams play. The tackle sent Ashford to the hospital. All tests came back normal, but he entered concussion protocol and missed three games.
He warmed up against Virginia but did not play, instead making his return against Louisville, recording two tackles.
Ashford is the second Wolfpack safety sidelined with an injury this season. Senior Jakeen Harris was also injured against UConn. The program hoped he could return this year, but he also needed surgery.
The safeties room has gotten smaller. Redshirt sophomore Sean Brown and junior Devan Boykin provide experience in the secondary, but they’ve dealt with different issues of their own.
Boykin — often at strong safety — played Saturday, but he’s had minor injuries this year. Meanwhile, Brown — at free safety — missed the first half against Marshall after being called for targeting against Louisville.
The pair has a combined 55 tackles and four tackles for loss, including two sacks from Brown.
The Wolfpack staff has experience shifting players on the field after minor in-game injuries took place against Virginia. With Ashford out, N.C. State used junior Bishop Fitzgerald and graduate transfer Robert Kennedy in larger roles.
Fitzgerald played in the previous six games, earning more reps in recent weeks. He’s up to 20 tackles, with 15 in the past three games, and a couple of pass breakups.
Graduate transfer Robert Kennedy also played the previous six games, providing 19 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. Kennedy played a key role in the team’s win over Marshall, forcing a fumble, recovering another, and returning an interception for 27 yards.
N.C. State could call on Cecil Powell, as well. The Ashford news depletes some of the depth, but the Pack has players with experience playing in the secondary that can step in.
N.C. State plays at Duke this weekend. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Saturday in Durham.
This story was originally published October 9, 2023 at 2:35 PM with the headline "NC State football loses another key defender for season. What that means for Wolfpack."
