NC State football knows how it’ll replace injured Louis Acceus. These players are key.
On Monday, N.C. State announced that senior linebacker Louis Acceus will no longer play football and will stay with the team as a student coach. Acceus met with the media on Wednesday and confirmed that his playing days are over due to a series of concussions. His last concussion happened in preseason camp last month.
N.C. State will take the field against Wake Forest on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in their season opener. The Demon Deacons (0-1) have a three-game win streak in the rivalry with N.C. State.
Redshirt junior linebacker Isaiah Moore and Acceus were recruited to N.C. State in the same class and started alongside each other for a combined nine games in 2018 and 2019. Seeing Acceus go down was hard for the entire team, but especially tough on Moore, who said he will dedicate his play to Acceus this season.
“My heart hurts for him,” Moore said. “It put things into perspective for a lot of us. Any down can be your last down, any snap can be your last snap. I know we will all be playing for him, he’ll be right there with us, so we’ll keep him involved the best way we can.”
The loss of Acceus means sophomore Drake Thomas moves into that vacant spot at linebacker. Thomas will share duties with junior Vi Jones, but expect up to seven different linebackers to play on Saturday. Payton Wilson will be in the starting lineup, but expect to see Calvin Hart, Jr., Jaylon Scott and Seth Williams in heavy rotation. True freshmen Devon Betty and Jayland Parker could also see action.
Last year the Demon Deacons rushed for 123 yards and put up 44 points on the Wolfpack. Wake Forest opened the season last week, falling to Clemson, 37-13. Most of their firepower from a year ago — mainly quarterback Jamie Newman and wide receiver Sage Surratt — are gone. Being able to watch the new pieces on tape leads the Wolfpack players to believe they have an edge.
“It’s a huge advantage,” N.C. State cornerback Teshaun Smith said. “I’m very confident in our defense. I feel like we will be pretty solid.”
Moore is No. 1
Moore will look a little different on Saturday. The junior from Chester, Va. was named a team captain earlier this week. It was also announced that Moore will wear jersey No. 1. Since 2014, head coach Dave Doeren has issued the jersey to a team member for their work ethic, character, leadership and accomplishments.
“He is a great person, player and teammate,” Doeren said about Moore. “He has overcome many obstacles and continues to shine in the face of adversity as a leader who brings stretch to the Pack.”
Moore has been a leader on and off the field this summer for the Wolfpack. It’s not just a jersey number, but also like a badge of honor that Moore will take very seriously this season.
“It definitely means a lot,” Moore said. “I know the meaning behind the number and those who have worn it before me, so it’s my obligation to wear it the right way and wear it proudly.”
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 2:46 PM.
