Tag: Wake Forest

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney reacts during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

No. 10 Clemson, Wake Forest look to keep riding wave

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 10 Clemson has been cranking up the momentum in its season for several weeks. Now Wake Forest is looking to do the same.

The teams will meet Saturday afternoon in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at Winston-Salem, N.C.

Clemson (4-1, 3-0) has won its past four games by double-figure margins. The Tigers are ranked in the AP Top 10 in an in-season poll for the first time since late in 2022. Yet they will be on full upset alert after knowing what transpired last weekend with a bevy of big-time shockers around the country, including then-No. 1 Alabama falling to Vanderbilt.

“College football did us a favor last week,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “This isn’t a game of ‘supposed to.’ You’ve got to show up and play every single week.”

Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1) sputtered throughout a winless September with three home losses, but the Demon Deacons are back on track after last Saturday’s 34-30 comeback victory against host North Carolina State.

“We fixed our problems, and we’ve got to keep fixing them,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said of the defense. “Clemson is going to come out (with some new wrinkles). It’s going to be another challenge this week.”

Clemson has climbed back into the polls after a disappointing opening-game loss to then-No. 1 Georgia. Yet Swinney said the Tigers haven’t peaked even with the positive trend.

“There’s a lot of good things,” he said. “I don’t think we’re playing our best football. I see it in spurts. Good news is we’re still in control, still where we want to be.”

The ACC-leading Tigers have 400 or more yards of offense in four straight games for the first time in four years. Quarterback Cade Klubnik (14 TD passes, 1,219 passing yards) has excelled and has found a variety of targets to deliver the big production.

“It’s a good room with good depth that has been a couple of years in the works,” Swinney said.

Clemson receiver Antonio Williams notched a career-high 157 all-purpose yards in a 29-13 victory at Florida State last week. He has four touchdown catches this season. Freshman receiver T.J. Moore made a TD catch last week in a bid for more time on the field.

“I’m going to keep working until I’m at the top,” Moore said.

Meanwhile, quarterback Hank Bachmeier helped spark the Wake Forest comeback against North Carolina State, which included two fourth-down conversions on the winning touchdown drive.

“He has played a lot of football, and it shows,” Swinney said. “He doesn’t get rattled.”

The Tigers have dominated the Demon Deacons through the years, winning the past 15 meetings. Wake Forest gave Clemson a scare last year before falling 17-12, while the 2022 meeting was decided in double overtime.

“Always a tough matchup, always a great challenge,” Clawson said. “The last two years have been very competitive.”

This year, both teams have defeated North Carolina State.

Clemson receiver Adam Randall and offensive lineman Collin Sadler didn’t play in the Florida State game last week because of injuries but could be ready for this weekend’s game.

“Around this time of the year, you’ve always got a few guys managing things,” Swinney said.

–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

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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

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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

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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 head coach Dave Clawson on the sidelines during the second half against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Virginia erupts in fourth quarter, comes back to beat Wake Forest

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Anthony Colandrea passed for 357 yards and three touchdowns and helped Virginia rally for a 31-30 victory against Wake Forest on Saturday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Cavaliers (2-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) trailed 30-17 entering the fourth quarter before a touchdown catch by Trell Harris and a touchdown run by Grady Brosterhous, the latter with 2:07 remaining for Virginia’s first lead of the game.

Colandrea completed 33 of 43 passes and was picked off twice. Tyler Neville caught two TDs and Malachi Fields tallied 11 receptions for a career-high 148 yards in the Cavaliers’ first win at Wake Forest since 2002.

Hank Bachmeier passed for 403 yards and one score, and Demond Claiborne rushed for 86 yards and two TDs for the Demon Deacons (1-1, 0-1). Donavon Greene caught 11 passes for 166 yards and a TD.

Wake Forest led 10-3 after the first quarter thanks to a 17-yard TD run by Claiborne on the Demon Deacons’ opening drive and a 21-yard field goal by Matthew Dennis.

Virginia missed multiple opportunities early. Harris dropped a wide-open 55-yard touchdown pass, and a goal-line stand by the Demon Deacons forced the Cavaliers to settle for a chip-shot field goal.

Wake Forest got Claiborne’s second TD of the night early in the second quarter for a 17-3 lead. His 2-yard plunge came two plays after Kevin Pointer intercepted Colandrea’s deflected pass.

Colandrea bounced back with TD passes to Neville (18 and 24 yards) on back-to-back drives, sandwiched around a 38-yard field goal by Dennis, to pull Virginia within 20-17 by halftime.

Wake Forest started the second half with a 14-play, 75-yard drive, converting two fourth downs before Bachmeier’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Greene made it 27-17.

Dennis’ third field goal extended the lead to 30-17 late in the third quarter.

Virginia made it a one-score game at 30-24 on Colandrea’s 24-yard TD pass to Harris with 10:37 left in the fourth.

The Cavaliers got the ball back and converted two fourth downs of their own before taking the lead on a 1-yard scoring run by Brosterhous and an extra point by Will Bettridge.

Wake Forest managed to get two more possessions, but Taylor Morin’s fumble was recovered by Virginia’s Antonio Clary with 1:24 left and the Demon Deacons’ last-ditch, multiple-lateral effort ended near midfield just moments later.

–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

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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 25, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest yet to name starting QB for Week 1 vs. NC A&T

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Wake Forest has held out on revealing the outcome of the preseason quarterback competition, but the Demon Deacons can’t wait to get going in hopes of having a better season than a year ago.

They open against visiting North Carolina A&T on Thursday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“It’s really our last go-round for a lot of us guys,” Wake Forest wide receiver Taylor Morin said. “Whatever it takes to win, we’re ready to do that and get Wake Forest right back where it belongs.”

Wake Forest’s string of seven consecutive seasons with a bowl appearance ended with last year’s 4-8 record.

Michael Kern and Hank Bachmeier, a transfer from Louisiana Tech, have competed for the first-string quarterback job for Wake Forest.

If there’s uncertainty about the makeup of the Wake Forest offense, that doesn’t have to translate to the defensive side.

“I feel like we pride ourselves on defense, fly around, have fun,” defensive lineman Jasheen Davis said. “I feel like my mindset is see ball, get ball. Wherever the ball is at, we try to swarm around the ball because the ball is the program.”

The Demon Deacons are counting on a veteran element to help them this year. Coach Dave Clawson said in the changing environment of college athletes, there’s an encouraging aspect of Wake Forest’s roster stability.

“I think the fact that we have players the caliber of Jasheen Davis, (offensive lineman) DeVonte Gordon and Taylor Morin coming back to play their last year at Wake Forest shows we’ve made progress in the last year,” Clawson said.

NC A&T struggled to a 1-10 record last year in its first season under coach Vincent Brown. The Aggies were picked 14th in the 16-team Coastal Athletic Association preseason poll.

“Eliminating things that cause you to lose games,” Brown said of the team’s objective. “Last year was dealing with the unknown. I am much more comfortable with who we are and the identity of our team right now than I was at this time last year.”

North Carolina A&T has eight returning starters on offense. Freshman running back Daniel Coles has joined the backfield on what could be a solid rushing attack, which the Aggies hope to get cranked up in a big way in the season opener.

“We have a stable of backs,” Brown said.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Mitch Griffis (12) gestures to fans prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest losing two QBs to transfer portal

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Wake Forest quarterbacks Mitch Griffis and Santino Marucci both announced plans to transfer on Tuesday.

They are leaving Winston-Salem, N.C., after a 4-8 season that ended the Demon Deacons’ seven-year bowl streak.

Both were redshirt sophomores in 2023 and have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Both are scheduled to graduate in May and will enter the transfer portal as graduate transfers.

Griffis completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 1,553 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games. The team captain also rushed for 128 yards and two scores and was sacked 34 times.

“I am incredibly thankful for my four years at Wake Forest,” Griffis posted on X. “The friendships and memories I have created will last a lifetime. A special thank you to Coach (Dave) Clawson and (offensive coordinator Warren Ruggerio) for giving me an opportunity to live out my dream. I will always be a Demon Deacon.”

Mariucci started in Wake Forest’s 21-17 win over Pitt on Oct. 21. He completed 12 of 21 passes for 151 yards with one TD and one pick in three games this season.

“I want to thank Clawson & Ruggiero, the entire Wake Forest Football staff, and the extended support team,” Marucci wrote on X. “My time at Wake Forest has ended, but the memories and friendships will last a lifetime.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman (10) exhorts the crowd in the fourth quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest coach upset with Notre Dame sendoff for Sam Hartman

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Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson is not the least bit happy about the manner in which Notre Dame serenaded quarterback Sam Hartman during Saturday’s matchup between the schools.

It was the final home game in South Bend, Ind., for Hartman, less than three months after he played his first contest for the Fighting Irish.

“(Notre Dame) bought him and rented him for a year, and now they love him?” Clawson said at his Wednesday press conference.

Hartman became a star quarterback at Wake Forest and spent five seasons at the school before transferring to Notre Dame for this season and raking in NIL money. He passed for 12,967 yards, 110 touchdowns and 41 interceptions for the Demon Deacons.

While Clawson understands the rules now in place, he wasn’t the least impressed with the way Notre Dame flaunted his former quarterback during the Irish’s 45-7 whipping of Wake Forest.

“Here’s a guy we recruited and we developed, and they are putting on a video of him, saying ‘We will always love you,’ ” Clawson said. “I’m like, ‘you only dated him for a couple of months. It can’t be love.’ We are the ones who love him. We had five years with him. You rented him for a season.

“They bought him and rented him for a year, and now they love him. When that video played, it’s just like, ‘holy cow, this is where college football is.’ ”

Hartman has passed for 2,549 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season for Notre Dame.

Clawson said he has no ill will towards Hartman, who passed for 277 yards and four touchdowns.

“Sam and I had a great discussion before the game and after the game, and I love the young man. I really do,” Clawson said. “I don’t blame him at all for what he did. That’s the system now. For him to have the opportunity to have that experience, and make that type of money in one year, who can fault him?”

–Field Level Media