North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall was carted off the field in Raleigh on Saturday afternoon after taking a helmet-jarring hit.
McCall was scrambling on a third-and-11 in the first quarter before taking the ball and running.
He ended up getting smashed between three Wake Forest defenders as his helmet flew backward on impact.
The senior quarterback, who started after missing the past two games, stayed down on the field near the 10-yard line as he was immediately attended to by medical personnel and fitted for a neck brace.
McCall, who has a history of concussions, was eventually carted off after a long delay.
He held two fingers to the crowd, but kept his eyes covered.
NC State players left the field in tears.
No flags were thrown on the play.
His season — and nearly career — ended after he suffered a serious head injury last season while playing for Coastal Carolina.
Wake Forest, already leading 3-0, scooped up McCall’s fumble and returned the ball inside the North Carolina State 5-yard line.
Freshman CJ Bailey took over for McCall.
Bailey started NC State’s past two games in McCall’s absence.
McCall had completed 50-of-75 passes for 476 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions before Saturday’s game after spending the past five years at Coastal Carolina.
Wake Forest led NC Stare 17-16 at the half, with Bailey throwing for 174 yards and a touchdown up to that point.
