What NC State LB Caden Fordham learned from his targeting ejection
By Noah Fleischman
For NC State redshirt junior linebacker Caden Fordham, his first season as the Wolfpack’s full-time starting MIKE linebacker did not go according to plan. After just five snaps, Fordham hit Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzales as he slid on a QB run, and it triggered a targeting ejection.
That sequence came before he dropped what appeared to be a sure pick-6 on the opening play of the game. However, the ball hit off his hands and into the Carter-Finley Stadium dirt. It is safe to say, it was not the season opener Fordham was looking for.
“I was just trying to play ball, play fast,” Fordham said Wednesday, sporting a new buzz cut look. “I was a little anxious out there since it was the beginning of the game. Obviously, you’d like to make that first interception so hopefully the targeting might not happen. But I’ve just been telling myself, God does everything for a reason. Who knows what could have happened later in the game to me.”
Fordham took the targeting penalty in stride. It was his first ejection of his collegiate career, which took off last fall with a career-best 48 total tackles in his first consistent action on defense.
Although the penalty knocked Fordham out from the game prematurely, it served as a learning experience for the Ponte Vedra, Fla., native.
“You always try to learn from these mistakes,” Fordham said. “It was a bang-bang play, I have to be better on that. Try to stay up knowing the situation.”
Not only did it give Fordham something to learn from, but it was also important for the entire linebacker room to draw from his mistake.
“He’s played a lot of football, he knows a quarterback is untouchable when they go to slide and gives himself up,” NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said. “That was not very smart on his part of it, but it’s a learning tool we can use moving forward. We have to stay off the quarterback. They’re going to protect those guys, and they should.”
When Fordham was sent off the field early, NC State was forced to play redshirt junior Jayland Parker in his spot. Parker, who has been a special teams stalwart during his time in Raleigh, exceeded his career snap count in the 38-21 win.
Parker also set a career best with seven total tackles after he entered the game with just three through his first two seasons of action. Fordham, who came into the program with Parker, liked what he saw from his teammate.
“Any time he’s called in the game, I have faith in him, knowing he’ll be able to make plays,” Fordham said. “He’s a dog; he’s an athlete. He’s been in this defense just as long as me, and he knows the game plan and knows what to do. There were no worries there.”
Now, as the Pack prepares for a showdown with No. 14 Tennessee, Fordham is ready to right his wrong on the field. When he left the season opener early, Fordham immediately turned his attention to the Volunteers. Since the penalty occurred in the first half, Fordham does not have to sit out any part of the Pack’s game against Tennessee.
Fordham is expected to have a key role against the Volunteers’ high-tempo offense that will spread the field defensively. And Gibson, who serves as his position coach, has given Fordham his full confidence going into the Duke’s Mayo Classic.
That seemed to provide a boost to Fordham heading into his biggest game of his collegiate career to this point.
“It’s always great to have someone like Coach Gibby behind you,” Fordham said. “I love that man. Just knowing he trusts me and has faith in me is big deal for me.”
