24 ■ THE WOLFPACKER
BY JUSTIN H. WILLIAMS
verything was going according
to plan for redshirt sophomore
quarterback Devin Leary last
October.
The 6-1, 212-pound signal-
caller from Sicklerville, N.J.,
had claimed victories in his first
two starts of the 2020 campaign and was go-
ing for a third against Duke in his first home
appearance of the season.
A four-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Cary Angeline in the third quarter gave
NC State a 21-20 lead, its first of the afternoon.
After a quick three-and-out by the Blue Devils,
Leary strolled back onto the field on a mission
to add some cushion to the Pack's lead.
Four plays into the fourth drive of the sec-
ond half, the Wolfpack faced a first-and-10
on its own 37-yard line. Little did he know
at the time, but Leary was about to take his
last snap of the season.
"It was a read play," Leary recalled. "I had
a certain read key on this specific play, and
my read key told me to pull the ball and run."
On what turned out to be a four-yard rush,
E
HE'S BACK
Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Devin Leary Returns This Fall
After Suffering A Season-Ending Broken Leg In 2020
Leary threw for a career-high 336 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner, in NC State's 30-29 road win over Pittsburgh two weeks
before suffering a season-ending injury.
PHOTO BY CHARLES LECLAIRE/USA TODAY SPORTS
