Devan Boykin questionable to return vs. Virginia with lower body injury

The NC State Wolfpack are seeking their third straight win over the Virginia Cavaliers on Friday night in Charlottesville, Virginia. If they want to bring home a third win over the Cavaliers, they might have to do it without starting defensive back, Devan Boykin.

He was injured in the first quarter of Friday night’s contest. The ESPN broadcast updated his status in the second quarter. According to ESPN’s Paul Carcaterra, Boykin has a lower body injury. He is questionable to return to the game.

Devan Boykin questionable to return to Friday night’s game

He was injured after he collided with his teammate, Davin Vann, while trying to tackle UVA freshman quarterback Anthony Colandrea on a running play. Boykin was down on the field for a few minutes, before walking off on his own power.

The Wolfpack are now without both of their starting safeties. Jakeen Harris was ruled out for the season five plays into the UConn game and Boykin was injured on the opening drive of Friday night’s game.

Boykin played multiple positions in 2022 for the Wolfpack, including safety and corner. He played both positions against Clemson, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech.

In 2021, Boykin had one of the best games of his career, after he broke up a pass to prevent Boston College from scoring. He also scored on a scoop and score off a bobbled punt against the Eagles.

N.C. State took a 14-7 lead over Virginia into halftime, in what was a pretty evenly played half for both teams. Virginia had one of their offensive drives stall out due to penalties and drops from their receivers. UVA freshman quarterback Anthony Colandrea continues to be an exciting watch, even in the Cavaliers’ rough start to their 2023 campaign.

Brennan Armstrong racked up over 150 all-purpose yards in the first half, while tossing in a touchdown and interception.

Friday night’s game is the first return home for former Cavalier signal-caller Brennan Armstrong, who shattered numerous records during his time there, before hitting the transfer portal and joining the Wolfpack this offseason. He also played there while Robert Anae, who is the current offensive coordinator for N.C. State, was his offensive coordinator for Virginia.

Armstrong shattered records in 2021 for the Cavaliers, throwing for 4,444 passing yards, while tossing in 31 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He earned third team All-ACC honors.

He became UVA’s single-season passing yardage leader against BYU in 2021, after he eclipsed Bryce Perkins’ mark of 3,538 passing yards. In that game, Armstrong reached 3,557 passing yards for the season. That’s not the only record he broke at UVA, as he threw for a school-record 554 passing yards against UNC in their 59-39 loss in 2021, shattering the single-game passing yardage record.