NDSU's DeLuca to have season-ending shoulder surgery

Darrius Shepherd of North Dakota State carries against Iowa during their football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa.Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor — Nick DeLuca of North Dakota State tackles LeShun Daniels of Iowa during their football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor)

By Jeff Kolpack

September 18, 2016 10:56 PM

FARGO - North Dakota State lost its best defensive player for the rest of the season. Head coach Chris Klieman announced Monday, Sept. 19, middle linebacker Nick DeLuca will have season-ending surgery to address a shoulder injury.

DeLuca will apply for a medical hardship and Klieman said the hope is he'll return next season. The senior, who played as a true freshman, has a torn labrum suffered in the season opener against Charleston Southern, but still played with it the last two games.

Klieman said he believes it will be at least four months before DeLuca can begin rehabilitation.

His departure means junior Matt Plank will take over at linebacker.

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By Jeff Kolpack

Jeff would like to dispel the notion he was around when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, but he is on his third decade of reporting with Forum Communications. The son of a reporter and an English teacher, and the brother of a reporter, Jeff has worked at the Jamestown Sun, Bismarck Tribune and since 1990 The Forum, where he's covered North Dakota State athletics since 1995.
Jeff has covered all nine of NDSU's Division I FCS national football titles and has written three books: "Horns Up," "North Dakota Tough" and "Covid Kids." He is the radio host of "The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack" April through August.

NDSU's DeLuca to have season-ending shoulder surgery

FARGO -- North Dakota State lost its best defensive player for the rest of the season. Head coach Chris Klieman announced Monday, Sept. 19, middle linebacker Nick DeLuca will have season-ending surgery to address a shoulder injury.