Life Without Matt Dayes

After last nights news of Matt Dayes season ending foot injury, the Wolfpack have now lost two All-ACC caliber running backs in one season.  Where does that leave the NC State running game?

In the hands of Jaylen Samuels.

If the second half of the Clemson game was any picture of what the Wolfpack rushing attack will look like without Dayes, it will feature a lot of Sophomore utility man Jaylen Samuels in the backfield.  Samuels and fellow Sophomore Dawka Nichols were the backs to carry the ball out of the backfield in the second half, and Samuels led the way with six carries compared to Nichols two.

Putting Samuels in the backfield makes sense.  There is no questioning that he is the most talented option in the Wolfpack’s arsenal.  He is averaging 7.2 yards per carry and has 6 rushing touchdowns on the season.  The unfortunate aspect of putting Samuels in the backfield is that NC State’s offense will lose some of the elusive ways in which they used him in his H-back role.

There is no questioning that Samuels’ workload will increase, but I don’t expect him to solely live in the backfield.  I expect him to carry the load, but also expect to see Nichols and Reggie Gallaspy back there some with Samuels on the field at the same time in his familiar role as the Wolfpack swiss army knife.