Nov 23, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson looks on against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Reports: Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson stepping down

Dave Clawson is stepping down as head coach of Wake Forest, ESPN and The Athletic reported Monday.

Clawson, 57, made the decision to step down and plans to continue at the school in an advisory role, according to the reports.

Clawson came to Wake Forest in 2014 and helped the Demon Deacons reach a bowl game in seven straight seasons, winning five of them. They were ranked as highly as No. 10 in the AP poll in both 2021 and 2022, and they went on to win the Gator and Gasparilla Bowls in those seasons.

Clawson had a decorated FCS career before coming to Bowling Green, where he coached for five seasons. He is the only coach on record with a double-digit win season at four different Division I programs — Fordham (2002), Richmond (2007), Bowling Green (2013) and Wake Forest (2021).

In 200 FBS games, Clawson went 99-101 with a 5-5 record in bowl games.

Wake Forest’s season is over after a second consecutive 4-8 record meant no invite to a bowl game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Stanford, California, USA;  Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Demond Claiborne (1) breaks a tackle by Stanford Cardinal linebacker Tristan Sinclair (8) during the second quarter fr a first down at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Matthew Dennis kicks winning FG to lift Wake Forest over Stanford

Matthew Dennis kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:48 to play and Wake Forest’s defense came up with another turnover to preserve a 27-24 victory at Stanford in Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday.

Nick Andersen intercepted Ashton Daniels’ pass with 22 seconds left after Stanford moved into Wake Forest territory. The pick clinched the outcome, giving the Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-2 ACC) back-to-back road triumphs going into an open week. Hank Bachmeier threw for three touchdowns in a return to his home state.

Bachmeier was 20-for-31 for 245 yards with an interception and teammate Demond Claiborne rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries.

Stanford (2-6, 1-4) has a five-game losing streak, with three of those at home.

Daniels threw for 214 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Stanford committed four turnovers, with the Demon Deacons scoring touchdowns after the first two.

Wake Forest’s winning drive was set up by Taylor Morin’s 36-yard punt return to midfield. The Demon Deacons used 10 plays before the field goal for the final points in a game they never trailed.

After the Cardinal made a goal-line stand to stay within 24-17, Stanford marched 99 yards in 15 plays to tie the game on Daniels’ 16-yard pass to Sam Roush with 8:41 remaining.

Wake Forest took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter with Bachmeier throwing 30 yards to Micah Mays Jr. and 39 yards to Tate Carney.

The Cardinal got even about six minutes into the second quarter. Justin Larson ran in from 1 yard out and then Tevarua Tafiti returned Bachmeier’s fumble 44 yards for a touchdown.

The Demon Deacons went back ahead on their next possession on Dennis’ 35-yard field goal and boosted the edge to 24-14 on Bachmeier’s 18-yard pass to Morin just five plays after Andersen recovered a Stanford fumble.

Stanford closed within 24-17 by halftime on Emmet Kenney’s 40-yard field goal. He missed from 46 yards away in the first quarter.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA;   Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson watches from the sideline as they take on the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Wake Forest defense steps up in win over UConn

Demond Claiborne ran for two touchdowns and Wake Forest’s defense did much of the heavy lifting in a 23-20 victory against host Connecticut on Saturday afternoon at East Hartford, Conn.

Claiborne gained 60 yards on 24 carries, Hank Bachmeier threw for 274 yards with an interception and Taylor Morin had 104 receiving yards for the Demon Deacons (3-4).

UConn quarterback Nick Evers was 26-for-43 passing for 247 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

UConn (4-3) didn’t move above the 200-yard mark of total offense until about five minutes into the fourth quarter. But the Huskies engineered a 13-play, 88-yard mark to pull within 23-20 on Evers’ 25-yard scoring pass to Louis Hansen with 2:27 left.

UConn forced a Wake Forest punt and got the ball back at its own 20-yard line with 2:02 remaining. The Huskies picked up a first down before an incomplete pass on fourth down near midfield halted the final threat.

Wake Forest’s defense made a big impact. After a defensive-oriented first half, the teams traded touchdown drives in the first eight minutes of the second half.

Wake Forest extended its advantage to 20-6 with Claiborne’s 1-yard run completing an eight-play, 60-yard drive.

UConn responded by going 50 yards in seven plays, with Evers throwing 20 yards to Jasiah Gathings to cut the deficit to 20-13.

A chance for Wake Forest to rebuild a double-digit lead was thwarted when Matthew Dennis’ 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked late in the third. On the Demon Deacons’ next possession, Dennis connected from 36 yards out for a 23-13 lead with 11:13 to play.

Wake Forest led 13-6 at halftime, outgaining the Huskies 228-124 prior to the break. Both teams collected an interception in the first half.

Dennis kicked Wake Forest field goals of 32 and 31 yards and Chris Freeman booted UConn field goals of 35 and 53 yards. The difference was Claiborne’s 5-yard run early in the second quarter. The second Dennis field goal put the Demon Deacons up 13-3.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns quarterback Ben Wooldridge (10) throws a touchdown pass under pressure by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive lineman Jasheen Davis (30) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Louisiana edges Wake Forest on Kenneth Almendares’ FG

Kenneth Almendares delivered the go-ahead 31-yard field goal with 52 seconds left to lift Louisiana over Wake Forest 41-38 in a non-conference game Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Ben Wooldridge completed 20 of 29 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns without an interception for Louisiana. Two of his touchdowns went to Lance Legendre, who finished with six catches for 123 yards for the Ragin’ Cajuns (3-1).

Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier tallied for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 30-of-36 passing. Tate Carney had three 1-yard rushing touchdowns for the Demon Deacons (1-3), who never led in the game.

Carney’s third touchdown tied the score with 1:55 remaining, but Zylan Perry returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Wake Forest 43, leading to the winning kick.

Bachmeier drove the Demon Deacons to the Louisiana 24, but Matthew Dennis’ 42-yard field goal hit the left upright and fell into the end zone as time expired.

Louisiana received the second-half kickoff and drove to Almendares’ 50-yard field goal that increased the Cajuns’ lead to 24-17.

On the ensuing possession, Demond Claiborne, who left the game in the first half because of a knee injury, ran 60 yards for a touchdown to tie the score.

Louisiana answered with Wooldridge’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Legendre to take a 31-24 lead.

Carney’s second touchdown run tied the score at the end of the third quarter.

Tyree Skipper intercepted Bachmeier for the game’s only takeaway and returned it to the Wake Forest 38 early in the fourth quarter. Louisiana capitalized on Bill Davis’s 2-yard run to pull ahead 38-31 with 8:07 left.

On the Cajuns’ first possession of the game, Wooldridge completed all eight of his passes for 57 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown throw to Tavion Smith for a 7-0 lead.

The Deacons drove to Dennis’ 39-yard field goal before Davis’ 60-yard run set up Wooldridge’s 1-yard plunge that gave Louisiana a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Carney’s first touchdown trimmed the lead to 14-10 before Wooldridge threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Legendre.

Bachmeier answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Deuce Alexander, leaving Louisiana with a 21-17 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin watches during a time-out during the second half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Jaxson Dart helps No. 5 Ole Miss trounce Wake Forest

Jaxson Dart had two scoring passes and a touchdown run and Henry Parrish Jr. ran for two touchdowns as No.5 Mississippi rode a strong start to a 40-6 road victory against Wake Forest on Saturday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Rebels (3-0) scored 20 first-quarter points and that set the tone for another comfortable victory.

Dart completed 26 of 34 passes for 377 yards with an interception. Parrish gained 148 yards on the ground on 23 carries.

Quarterback Hank Bachmeier of Wake Forest was 22-of-39 passing for 239 yards, but couldn’t direct the Demon Deacons to the end zone.

Wake Forest (1-2) only scored on a pair of Matthew Dennis field goals. The Demon Deacons, who suffered a one-point home loss to Virginia a week earlier, finished with 46 yards on the ground.

It was the only power-conference nonconference opponent for Ole Miss and the only road game out of the Southeastern Conference, but the Rebels were certainly up to the task.

The Rebels stretched their lead to 30-6 with Dart plowing into the end zone on a 13-yard run late in the third quarter.

Earlier, Ole Miss needed less than three minutes to go 75 yards for the first touchdown, coming on Parrish’s 25-yard run.

The Rebels took their next possession inside the Wake Forest 20-yard line before Dart’s fumble. The Demon Deacons got on the board on Dennis’ 42-yard field goal later in the opening quarter.

Dart threw 75 yards to Jordan Watkins for one score and Parrish ran 22 yards for a touchdown as the Rebels built a 20-3 lead before the first quarter ended.

Ole Miss collected 282 yards of total offense in the opening quarter compared to Wake Forest’s 57.

It was 23-6 at halftime after Caden Davis’ 33-yard field goal for Ole Miss and Dennis’ 37-yarder accounted for the only points of the second quarter.

Ole Miss won for the first time in three all-time meetings with the Demon Deacons.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) drops back to pass during the second half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

No. 5 Ole Miss finally gets power conference test vs. Wake Forest

It will be a step up in competition for No. 5 Ole Miss when the Rebels visit Wake Forest on Saturday night.

Even with the way the Rebels have been rolling, there’s no telling what kind of challenge they’ll encounter for the game in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“I think it’s a really good measuring stick for where we’re at,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said.

The Rebels (2-0) will play their first road game and their first matchup with a power-conference team. This is the only power conference opponent on their nonconference schedule.

Wake Forest (1-1) is trying to recover from last Saturday night’s 31-30 home loss to Virginia in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener. The Demon Deacons led for most of that game.

The Demon Deacons aren’t uncomfortable being underdogs.

“We’re embracing the challenge,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “We know it’s going to be hard.”

Ole Miss destroyed Middle Tennessee 52-3 on Saturday after flattening Furman 76-0 in the opener. This matchup is bound to have a different feel for the Rebels.

“We’re going to have our hands full,” Kiffin said. “We have done a really good job of not having lapses, no looking at the scoreboard.”

The road assignment will provide a different environment for Ole Miss, which might be equipped to handle it.

“A veteran team that has played a lot of road games, haven’t necessarily played together so there’s a challenge with that,” Kiffin said. “You got to just weather storms when you’re on the road. The challenges will get harder, the opponents will get harder.”

The Demon Deacons will want to slow down Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who was two completions shy of an NCAA record when he completed his first 24 throws of the game against Middle Tennessee. The effort did set a SEC record.

For Ole Miss, there’s not much emphasis in mid-September on the national ranking.

“That means nothing,” Kiffin said. “They’ve been talked extensively from me about how rankings mean nothing. … Guys are in the right mindset.”

That message seems to be clear and accepted by the players.

“Keeping our heads down and working, and not looking too far ahead and not looking too far back,” Ole Miss running back Henry Parrish Jr. said. “Grinding every day, putting work in day in and day out with my guys.”

The Rebels have rolled on offense by scoring on 20 of 27 possessions this season, racking up 17 touchdowns.

“A lot of good things we did to get to 2-0,” Kiffin said. “I think we’re relatively healthy and actually looked good.”

From Wake Forest’s perspective, it’s difficult to detect flaws in how Ole Miss operates on offense.

“As fast as they play and as wide open as they play, (they rarely have turnovers),” Clawson said. “They’re that efficient.”

Neither Furman nor Middle Tennessee have reached the 50-yard rushing mark against the Rebels. Yet Kiffin said there’s a need for Ole Miss to address some mental lapses that have been evident in pass coverage.

“This will be the best passing team, by far, that we’ve played,” he said.

Hank Bachmeier, a transfer who spent time at Louisiana Tech and Boise State, became Wake Forest’s starting quarterback last week after entering in relief in the opener. He has thrown for four touchdowns without an interception this year.

Clawson’s Wake Forest teams are 4-0 all-time against SEC opponents (defeating Vanderbilt twice plus bowl victories vs. Texas A&M and Missouri).

The Demon Deacons have won both previous meetings with Ole Miss, prevailing in 2006 on the road and in 2008 at home.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Hank Bachmeier (9) passes the ball under duress from North Carolina A&T Aggies safety David Laney (7) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Hank Bachmeier shines as Wake Forest wallops NC A&T

Hank Bachmeier made a successful debut for Wake Forest, coming off the bench to throw for three touchdowns in Thursday night’s 45-13 victory against visiting North Carolina A&T in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Bachmeier, a past starter for Boise State and Louisiana Tech, replaced starter Michael Kern late in the first quarter. There was preseason competition at the position with the outcome not revealed until the Demon Deacons’ first possession.

Wake Forest (1-0) received well-rounded contributions in its season opener.

Wide receiver Taylor Morin returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown early in the second half and finished with 100 receiving yards on six catches. Running back Demond Claiborne ran for 135 yards and a score on 17 carries.

Bachmeier ended up 18-for-28 for 263 yards in the air without an interception.

A&T running back Kenji Christian had a touchdown run and 121 rushing yards on 16 attempts. Aggies kicker Andrew Brown provided field goals from 38 and 51 yards.

Starting quarterback Kevin White was 10-for-16 for 116 yards in the air for A&T before he was pulled in the third quarter.

Coming off a one-win season, the Aggies (0-1) led 10-7 late in the second quarter until the Demon Deacons rattled off the next 31 points.

Bachmeier helped engineer touchdown drives of 75, 88, 90 and 64 yards to open up a 38-10 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Wake Forest took the lead for good at 14-10 when Donavon Greene took a short pass from Bachmeier and shed would-be tackles for a 24-yard scoring play five minutes before halftime.

Matthew Dennis booted a 31-yard field goal to make it 17-10 at the half, during which the Demon Deacons outgained A&T 260-194.

Wake Forest went up 7-0 on their second possession on Claiborne’s 7-yard run.

Christian’s 21-yard run around the right side helped the Aggies tie the score later in the first quarter. A&T went up 10-7 on Brown’s 38-yard field goal to cap a 71-yard drive that consumed more than 8 1/2 minutes and 15 plays before the Demon Deacons took over.

Wake Forest won the only previous meeting in 2004 between schools located about 30 miles apart.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Brennan Armstrong (5) tries to outrun Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Malik Mustapha (3) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Brennan Armstrong returns as QB, leads NC State past Wake Forest

Brennan Armstrong was back as North Carolina State’s starting quarterback and he made time in that role count by throwing and rushing for touchdowns in the Wolfpack’s 26-6 road victory against Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Armstrong had been a backup for the previous four games as MJ Morris was at the controls, but Morris’ decision to sit out the rest of the season to qualify for a redshirt thrust Armstrong, a graduate transfer from Virginia, back into the starting position.

Armstrong completed 12 of 17 passes for 111 yards and rushed for 96 yards on 15 attempts.

The Wolfpack (7-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) won their third straight game. It marked just the second NC State victory in Winston-Salem in the last 11 trips to its in-state rival.

Morris was 3-1 as a starter this year before the midweek revelation that he has opted to take a redshirt season. Another game played would have put him over the maximum number of games permitted to preserve a redshirt season.

Wake Forest (4-6, 1-6) has dropped three in a row and six of its last seven games.

Wake Forest tried quarterbacks Mitch Griffis and Michael Kern. The Demon Deacons avoided a shutout when Kern’s fourth-down pass was caught by diving receiver Deuce Alexander for a 19-yard touchdown with 7:15 remaining. Even that thrill lasted only so long because Jaylon Scott intercepted a two-point conversion pass and raced 100 yards for a two-point defensive conversion.

NC State went 84 in three plays for the game’s first points on Armstrong’s 20-yard pass to Julian Gray. The big play was KC Concepcion’s possession-opening 65-yard run on a reverse.

The Wolfpack were up 14-0 early in the second quarter. Armstrong plowed into the end zone on a fourth-down run from 1 yard out.

Armstrong’s 38-yard run to the Wake Forest 1 set up Delbert Mimms III’s 1-yard plunge for a 21-0 lead.

The Wolfpack’s only second-half points on offense came when NC State turned Sean Brown’s interception and 33-yard return into Brayden Narveson’s 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA;  Duke Blue Devils quarterback Grayson Loftis (12) hands off the ball to  wide receiver Quran Boyd (17) against the Lafayette Leopards during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Duke rallies past Wake Forest on last-second field goal

Todd Pelino’s 26-yard field goal as time expired gave Duke a 24-21 victory against visiting Wake Forest on Thursday night in Durham, N.C.

That was the only lead of the game for Duke (6-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), which snapped a two-game losing streak and became bowl-eligible despite using a third-string quarterback.

Grayson Loftis was 7-for-19 for 86 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but he helped the Blue Devils on their final drive.

Ryan Smith’s interception with 4:12 left gave the Blue Devils a chance to drive for the winning points. The final drive was aided by two penalties, including a third-down pass interference call on Wake Forest (4-5, 1-5).

Wake Forest quarterback Mitch Griffis was 16-for-19 for 241 yards with an interception. Demond Claiborne rushed for 81 yards on 19 carries.

Griffis scrambled 5 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to put Wake Forest ahead.

Duke tied it at 21-21l with 11:40 remaining on Loftis’ 29-yard throw to Jordan Moore.

Duke was without standout quarterback Riley Leonard and normal second-string QB Henry Belin IV, both out with injuries.

Griffis was 8-for-8 in the first half, but the score was 14-14 at halftime.

Duke pulled even with one minute to play in the first half on Jordan Waters’ 4-yard run.

Wake Forest’s Tate Carney ran 3 yards for the opening points. Wake Forest had a chance to build the lead when a fumble by Duke on the ensuing possession gave the ball back at the Blue Devils’ 15. Matthew Dennis missed a 27-yard field goal.

Duke pulled even on the second play of the second quarter when Jaquez Moore ran 32 yards for a touchdown. Moore had all 60 yards on the drive, needing just three plays to cover that ground.

Wake Forest reached the Duke 25 before Carney was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 carry. But Quincy Bryant intercepted a pass by Lofts, who was hit as he threw, on the next snap.

Wake Forest took over at the Duke 22, with Griffis running 8 yards for a touchdown four plays later.

Dennis missed again, this time from 39 yards, to end Wake Forest’s first possession of the second half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  A Pittsburgh Panthers helmet on the sidelines against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest caps wild final moments by beating Pitt

Cameron Hite caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from third-string quarterback Santino Marucci with seven seconds left as Wake Forest pulled out a 21-17 victory against Pitt in a wild final stretch at Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Demon Deacons (4-3, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) scored two touchdowns and threw an interception in an improbable final 3:02 in halting a three-game losing streak.

Christian Veilleux threw 22 yards to Bub Means with 1:30 left and Pitt (2-5, 1-3) appeared ready to escape. When M.J. Devonshire intercepted Marucci at the Pitt 28, the Panthers were in good shape.

But Veilleux’s third-down run for an apparent first down turned disastrous for the Panthers when it was determined Veilleux began his slide at the Pitt 16, 1 yard short of the first-down mark. A punt followed and the Demon Deacons converted quickly for the winning points.

Demond Claiborne’s 42-yard touchdown run with 3:02 left lifted Wake Forest into a 14-10 lead. Claiborne finished with 96 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Wake Forest had 323 yards of total offense, but 89 of those came on the first scoring drive of the fourth-quarter.

The game marked the debut at quarterback for Marucci, a third-stringer and redshirt sophomore who was in a starting role because of injuries to two teammates.

Ben Sauls’ 41-yard field goal with 13:03 to play put the Panthers up 10-7. That came following Phillip O’Brien Jr.’s interception late in the third quarter.

On its next possession, Wake Forest drove to the Pitt 32-yard line but gave the ball back after coming up short on a fourth-and-2 run.

Pitt’s C’Bo Flemister ran for 105 yards on 23 carries and Veilleux threw for 302 yards.

Wake Forest quarterbacks Mitch Griffis (undisclosed), who started the first six games, and Michael Kern (shoulder) were not in uniform because of injuries.

The rematch of the 2021 ACC championship game pitted two teams that have largely struggled this year. The Panthers lost for the first time in three games all-time against the Demon Deacons.

Veilleux threw 7 yards to Kenny Johnson as the Panthers scored on the game’s opening possession.

Wake Forest, which generated little on offense, suddenly came through by going 55 yards in two plays (plus a 15-yard facemask penalty on the defense) to pull even with 1:32 left in the half. Claiborne ran 18 yards for the touchdown.

Wake Forest had 125 yards of total offense through three quarters. Pitt was at 262.

–Field Level Media