After loss to Notre Dame, NC State looks to regroup against VMI
Posted September 11, 2023 1:20 p.m. EDT
Updated September 13, 2023 11:10 a.m. EDT
Raleigh, N.C. — NC State football will look to regroup this weekend against Virginia Military Institute after losing Saturday against Notre Dame.
“We acknowledge there was an opportunity there to do something against Notre Dame, but also realize the improvement we need to make as a team and we will make to be the team that we want to be,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “This team will respond. There’s really good leadership in this football locker room.
“The best way to get over this feeling is to get out and play and go get after somebody else.”
Doeren said safety Jakeen Harris will miss the remainder of the 2023 season with a torn pectoral muscle. Harris suffered the injury on the third play of the season-opening game against UConn, Doeren said.
Harris had surgery and plans to return in 2024, according to Doeren.
“It always hurts losing a starter that has that much game experience, and next guy up,” Doeren said.
Doeren said safeties Sean Brown and Devan Boykin will have the opportunity to fill the void left by Harris.
On Monday, Doeren said he expects to get safety Rakeim Ashford back for Saturday’s game against VMI or for the Sept. 22 game against Virginia.
Ashford was taken off the field on a stretcher against UConn.
Kickoff between NC State and VMI is set for 2 p.m. ET Saturday at Carter-Finely Stadium. The game airs on the CW Network.
Regrouping after loss to Notre Dame
Doeren thanked the fans for returning to Carter-Finley Stadium after thunderstorms forced fans to leave to take cover in their cars and PNC Arena.
“They were awesome coming back after a 90-minute weather delay,” Doeren said. “I know I didn’t say that in my [Saturday] press conference.
“There [were] a million things going through my head after a 5.5-hour game.”
On Monday, Doeren complimented linebacker Payton Wilson’s effort. Wilson had 14 tackles against in the 45-24 loss to Notre Dame.
“He ran a kid down in the game and had 23.4 mph on the GPS,” Doeren said. “That’s the fastest we’ve ever had at NC State.
“That kid plays so hard.”
Doeren mentioned Notre Dame’s defensive front, which held NC State to 84 yards on 30 carries.
“It just wasn’t one of those games where we leaned on the run game, I think, probably more because of what they were doing, but you know how I am,” Doeren said. “I mean, that’s an area I’d love to be better at.”
Quarterback Brennan Armstrong completed 22 of 47 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Armstrong also threw three interceptions.
“He’s getting to know these guys still, and it’s a work in progress,” Armstrong said of his quarterback. “The kid works really hard.”
