The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1502339
28 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Week 3 brought Texas Tech, the marquee nonconfer- ence opponent on the Pack's schedule, to Carter-Finley Stadium. "I wanted him to go hit something and go full speed, showing that you know everything's going to be OK," Gibson recalled. Elusive Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith was forced to scramble as a result of the pressure, but the ath- letic Wilson still managed to get to him and lay a hit that helped force an incomplete pass. And just like that, Wilson was back. He finished with 10 tackles against the Red Raiders and added double-digit hits at Clemson, versus Florida State, at North Carolina and against Maryland in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. For the season, he was third on the Pack with 82 tackles, which included 12.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. Wilson also had an interception, broke up 3 passes and pressured the quarterback 7 times. Bouncing back from a shoulder injury that forced him out of action in 2021, Wilson ranked third on the Wolfpack with 82 tackles last fall, including 12.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP MORE TO PROVE Linebacker Payton Wilson Spurns The NFL For One More Season At NC State BY MATT CARTER C State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson knew exactly what type of call he was going to dial up on the first play against Texas Tech last season. A blitz. And a blitz, specifically, by linebacker Payton Wilson. The 2022 season was supposed to be a big come- back story for Wilson, the ACC's leading tackler two years earlier. He had entered the 2021 campaign with high expectations but ended up missing almost the entire season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Hopes were high for his return last fall, but Wilson exited the season opener at East Carolina after feeling soreness in his previously injured shoulder following a tackle. Although tests revealed no damage, Wilson sat out a lopsided win over Charleston Southern the ensuing week for precautionary reasons. N