Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Atlantic Coast Conference
It has been an up and down season for Jim Grobe’s young team. The season started with a crazy loss in New York to Syracuse. Then they hit a four game winning streak before losing four out of five. Their youth contributed to some inconsistent play, but this team has to be happy with where it stands. They have five losses, but the future looks bright. Quarterback Tanner Price was poised in the pocket all season, and outplayed some strong quarterbacks when this team needed to stay in games. A bowl victory is certainly within their grasp.
2011 Record: 6-6, 5-3
Last Bowl Appearance: 2008 EagleBank vs. Navy (W 29-19)
Big Wins: 9/10 North Carolina State (34-27), 10/8 Florida State (35-30)
Bad Losses: 9/1 at Syracuse (36-29), 11/26 Vanderbilt (7-41)
Coach: Jim Grobe (68-66 at Wake Forest, 101-99-1 career)
Bowl Record: 3-1 at Wake Forest, 3-1 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Steed Lobotzke
Defensive Coordinator: Tim Billings and Brian Knorr
Strengths:
Quarterback Tanner Price was a steady Eddie for the Demon Deacons all year. He completed 61 percent of his passes in the regular season and amassed 2,803 yards. He has thrown 20 touchdowns to only six interceptions. His growth from his freshman to sophomore year has been quite a leap. He has cut down on his picks from last season without even having played the bowl game yet. He has led the Deacs to the fourth best passing offense in the ACC. Another positive for Wake has been the performance of running back Brandon Pendergrass. He has shared carries with another viable back in Josh Harris, but Pendergrass has been productive with eight touchdowns this season. Both backs have averaged over four yards per carry for the entire season. Receiver Chris Givens has also provided an option for Price to throw to, gaining 1,276 yards and nine touchdowns. The offensive weapons for the Demon Deacons have provided a spark for this team. Sometimes though, their talent was surpassed by their counterparts on the other side.
Weaknesses:
One of Wake Forest’s biggest problems has been its youth and its inexperience with a winning culture. Grobe loves to redshirt all freshmen in his program (though sometimes he is forced to burn them due to injuries). The intention is to teach his kids how to play and develop them into stronger players early. Tanner Price has improved. The defensive and offensive lines have struggled though. The Deacons are 10th in the ACC in sacks allowed. Despite the positive plays of the Wake Forest running backs, the holes have not been readily available. The Deacons rank 99th in the nation in rushing offense. Defensively, Wake Forest ranks last in the ACC in sacks. Their lack of quarterback pressure has created too many opportunities for the opposing offenses. Big plays have been a problem as well. The secondary offers up nearly 240 yards per game.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Brandon Pendergrass, RB, 750 yards
Passing: Tanner Price, QB, 2,803 yards
Receiving: Chris Givens, WR, 1,276 yards
Tackles: Cyhl Quarles, S, 96
Sacks: Kyle Wilber, DE, 3.5
Interceptions: Josh Bush, S, 6
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 118.92 (97, 9)
Passing Offense: 255.58 (37, 4)
Total Offense: 374.50 (76, 9)
Scoring Offense: 26.75 (62, 7)
Rushing Defense: 162.92 (71, 8)
Pass Defense: 236.17 (72, 8)
Total Defense: 399.08 (74, 10)
Scoring Defense: 27.75 (70, 10)
Turnover Margin: .42 (30, 3)
Sacks: .83 (115, 12)
Sacks Allowed: 2.42 (88, 9)
