The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Wake Forest – INSIDE SLANT
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons had the services of receiver Michael Campanaro for the game against Clemson, a boost for an offense that has been mostly stagnant without him.
But Campanaro, who on consecutive first-quarter plays picked up 27 yards on a pass play and drew a defensive pass-interference penalty, could only do so much. He missed two-plus games with a broken bone in his right hand.
“I thought he did OK,” coach Jim Grobe said. “I thought we missed him a couple of times where we could have gotten it in there to him. I think he played really good for having missed over three weeks (including an open weekend on the schedule).”
His first catch was the one that accounted for the most yards. He finished with six receptions for 52 yards in the 42-13 loss.
“The hand feels good,” Campanaro said. “A few times it got hit where it was a little sore. Nothing bad at all. … The legs feel a little tired. I was expecting that.”
Campanaro said scoring 13 points wasn’t enough for the offense and that’s the part he’ll concentrate on most as the Demon Deacons approach their next game.
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NCAAF Team Report – Wake Forest – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Demon Deacons will have a couple of extra days to prepare before a game against visiting Boston College, which is the only team below Wake Forest in the ACC’s Atlantic Division standings.
–Even with the lopsided score against Clemson, the Demon Deacons eclipsed their total yardage mark from the previous game with more than three minutes left in the third quarter. Wake Forest gained 213 yards five days earlier in a victory at Virginia.
But QB Tanner Price said there were too many missed opportunities for the Demon Deacons, who ended up with 290 yards of total offense. They’ve failed to reach the 20-point mark in three consecutive games.
–The Demon Deacons dropped to 21-119-1 all-time against nationally ranked opponents with their second loss to a rated foe this year. There’s bound to be at least one more ranked team coming up with a Nov. 17 game at Notre Dame. A week earlier, a game at North Carolina State could qualify as well depending on how the Wolfpack fares by then.
KEEP AN EYE ON: RB Deandre Martin has thrown passes the past two games. He was 1-for-1 against Clemson, completing a toss to QB Tanner Price. He was ready to throw another pass later in the game, but was sacked instead.
LOOKING GOOD: CB Kevin Johnson was one of the most active players on Wake Forest’s defense against Clemson. His four pass breakups increased his total to a team-high nine breakups this season. He also made six tackles against Clemson for his second-highest total of the season.
STILL NEEDS WORK: The pass protection was an area of concern against Clemson, particularly with the Demon Deacons facing an early deficit. Wake Forest suffered four first-half sacks in the game and the revamped offensive line rarely prevented a quick collapse of the pocket.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I just don’t think we respected their foot speed enough in the first half. We did a better job in the second half, but we just dug ourselves such a big hole.” — Coach Jim Grobe, on his team’s defense against Clemson, which had three catches of 50 or more yards by WR Sammy Watkins in the first half.
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NCAAF Team Report – Wake Forest – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–WR Terence Davis tied his career-high mark with seven receptions. The senior did this even with the return WR Michael Campanaro, who has been the team’s go-to receiver when he’s not injured.
–FB Tommy Bohanon caught Wake Forest’s two touchdown passes against Clemson. That gives the senior five touchdown receptions across a four-game period. He has eight career touchdowns.
–CB Merrill Noel, who is supposed to be the top defender in the secondary for Wake Forest, didn’t play in the second half against Clemson. He was limping on the sideline with an ankle injury.
ROSTER REPORT
–OL Steven Chase, who has been playing with a knee ligament injury, was injured on the final play of the third quarter. He didn’t return with a sprained right knee, though early reports suggest it might not be a serious ailment.
–K Chad Hedlund, who became the starter Oct. 20 against Virginia, missed a kick for the first time when his second extra-point attempt of the Clemson game was wide left.
–CB Chibuikem Okoro was the starting safety against Clemson. He moved back to cornerback, which has been the senior’s primary position during his career, in the second half of the game as adjustments were made in the secondary.
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