Oct. 27, 1997
Stakes Higher As Wake Hosts Clemson
After consecutive conference wins over Maryland and Duke the past two weeks, Wake Forest entertains Clemson this Saturday with its chances for a winning season and a finish in the top half of the ACC standings very much on the line. Kickoff time for the regionally televised (ACC/JP Sports network) contest is 12 p.m.
It's also "Homecoming" weekend at Wake Forest and the last home game of the 1997 season as 13 Demon Deacon seniors make their final Groves Stadium appearance.
Team Data
WAKE FOREST (4-4 / 3-3 in ACC) CLEMSON (4-3 / 2-3 in ACC)
Offense: Multiple Offense: Multiple "I"
(24.3 pts / 384.3 yds per game) (22.3 pts / 364.7 yds per game)
Defense: Multiple Defense: 50
(22.9 pts / 340.6 yds per game) (17.7 pts / 307.6 yds per game)
Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (5th year) Head Coach: Tommy West (4th year at Clemson)
W-13, L-39 W-25, L-18
same record overall 29-25 overall (5th year)
1-3 vs Clemson 3-0 vs Wake Forest
1997 Schedule 1997 Schedule
9/6 Northwestern W 27-20 9/6 Appalachian State W 23-12
9/13 at East Carolina L 24-25 9/13 at N.C.State W 19-17
9/20 Georgia Tech L 26-28 9/20 Florida State L 28-35
9/25 N.C.State W 19-18 9/27 at Georgia Tech L 20-23
10/4 at Virginia L 13-21 10/4 Texas-El Paso W 39-7
10/11 at North Carolina L 12-30 10/11 Virginia L 7-21
10/18 Maryland W 35-17 10/25 at Maryland W 20-9
10/25 at Duke W 38-24 11/1 at Wake Forest
11/1 Clemson 12:00 (ACC-TV) 11/8 Duke
11/8 at Rutgers 12:00 11/15 North Carolina
11/15 at Florida State tba 11/22 at South Carolina
THE SERIES WITH CLEMSON -
Wake Forest has been dominated by the Tigers throughout their 64-year-old series and enters this week's contest trailing in the overall competition, 48-13-1. The Demon Deacons have dropped three straight to Clemson since a 20-16 decision in 1993 in Death Valley--a win that was head coach Jim Caldwell's first over an ACC opponent--and the first for the Deacons at Clemson since 1961.
The last three years, however, the Deacons have dropped double-digit contests to the Tigers, including a 21-10 decision last year (see reverse side).
Wake's last win over Clemson in Groves Stadium came in 1992 by an 18-15 final tally. That triumph ended a 16-game losing streak for the Deacs against their South Carolina rival. From 1962 through 1991, the Deacons were 2-27-1 versus the Tigers with their only "Ws" coming at home in 1970 and 1976. Overall, Wake Forest holds a 3-8-1 record against Clemson in Groves.
TELEVISION AGAIN -
The 1997 season has seen Wake Forest enjoy unprecedented television coverage. Wake's September 25th win over N.C.State was the first nationally televised (ESPN) regular season game in school history. This week's date with Clemson is the sixth regionally telecast Deacon game, including one network production by ABC (Northwestern) and five appearances on the ACC/JP Sports network.
LAST YEAR'S GAME -
On a rainy afternoon in Clemson Memorial Stadium last September 28th, the Demon Deacons gave up a touchdown in the first 13 seconds and eventually fell behind, 21-0, before rallying to a respectable but hardly satisfying 21-10 defeat.
The Tigers went 80 yards on their first play from scrimmage when wide receiver Joe Woods caught a quick pass from Nealon Greene, broke between two Deacon tacklers, and raced the length of the field for six points. Two more Clemson scores came on runs by Raymond Priester of 8 and 22 yards in the second period. Wake Forest fought back to within 21-7 with a drive that was concluded on a 12-yard Brian Kuklick pass to Thabiti Davis in the final minute of the first half.
The rain became a hindrance to the offenses of both sides in the second half and the only points were a 50-yard field goal by Wake's Bill Hollows. Deacon running back Morgan Kane had his freshman high of 131 yards rushing (on 33 carries), while Priester finished with an impressive 187 yards on 30 attempts. Kuklick was 19-of-37 pasing for 231 yards but was sacked three times.
THE DEACS LAST WEEK -
An explosive running game and a stout second-half defensive effort sparked Wake Forest to a 38-24 victory at Duke this past Saturday. The Demon Deacons rushed for 309 yards, their highest single game output in four years, and put two backs over the 100-yard mark--senior Herman Lewis with 160 (on 15 carries), and Morgan Kane with 146 (17).
Behind the running of Lewis and Kane, Wake put 24 points on the Wallace Wade Stadium scoreboard in the first half. However, the Blue Devils managed 24 points of their own, taking advantage of two Deacon fumbles and a short punt which set up three scoring drives of less than 40 yards.
The second half was dominated by the Deacs, who outgained Duke 265 to 88 after intermission. Three interceptions kept Wake from an even bigger final margin, but number-three running back Kito Gary and Kane both scored on short runs in the fourth period for that final 14-point difference.
Linebacker David Zadel set up the first TD drive with an interception, the first of his career. His fellow-linebackers Kelvin Moses (9 tackles) and Dustin Lyman (8 tackles, 1 sack) keyed the defensive effort as well.
Comments from Coach Jim Caldwell
(On the win over Duke) - "It was a great overall effort and a much-deserved win for our football team. We showed a lot of toughness throughout the afternoon and did a good job of overcoming our offensive mistakes in the form of turnovers which continue to be a problem. Our passing game wasn't as sharp as it has been but the running game came through. Our offensive line really took over in those two scoring drives in the fourth quarter, and our defense played very well in the second half for the second week in a row."
(On Clemson) - "Clemson has one of the top teams in our conference. They are big, fast and play physically
and aggressively on both sides of the ball. In Nealon Greene they have an experienced and talented leader, and of course Raymond Priester is one of the finest backs in the ACC. Defensively, they are solid at almost every spot and are allowing barely more than 300 yards per game which is very impressive. We are excited about being back in Groves Stadium where we have enjoyed success this season, but will have to play exceptionally well to win."
WAKE FOREST FOOTBALL / MEDIA SERVICES
WEEKLY MEDIA CONFERENCE - Weekly sessions with head coach JIM CALDWELL and selected Demon Deacon players are on Tuesday afternoon. Newspaper and radio media can meet with players from 2:30 to 3:00 in the Rovere Room in the football office complex. Coach Caldwell will be available from 3:00 to 3:30. Television interviews with the coach and players will take place on the practice field beginning at 4:00.
ACC FAXBACK - Wake Forest news releases and statistics are available at any time via the ACC Faxback system. Dial the Faxback number from the handset of your fax machine and select the document(s) you wish to receive. They will then be faxed to you instantly. To access the ACC Faxback, call 910-854-5859 and follow the voice instructions. Wake Forest Football documents are available under the following codes:
ACC TELECONFERENCE - Coach Jim Caldwell takes part in the ACC Teleconference each Wednesday from 12:20 to 12:30 p.m. (Eastern time). For the number needed to access the teleconference, contact the Wake Forest Sports Information Office or the ACC Office (910-851-6062). A replay of the teleconference will be available for 24 hours each Wednesday afternoon. The replay phone number is 402-220-3128.
ACC HIGHLIGHTS - ACC video highlights are available via satellite on Wednesday from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. on C-band satellite Galaxy 9 / Transponder 22. The downlink frequency is 4140 Horizontal and the Bandwidth is 36 Mhz. Call the ACC Office for more information.
Noting the Demon Deacons
FOUR VICTORIES - Wake Forest has four wins (at 4-4) for the first time since 1992 when the Demon Deacons compiled a 7-4 regular season record and went on to defeat Oregon in the Independence Bowl. That '92 campaign is the only other time in nine years (since 1988) that Wake Forest has won four games in a season.
THREE ACC VICTORIES - It's also been five years (1992) since the Demon Deacons have won three games in ACC play. Wake Forest finished with a 4-4 mark in conference competition in '92--remarkably, that is the only season until now since 1988 that a Deacon squad has defeated more than one ACC opponent.
Deacs in the ACC
1989 1-6 1992 4-4 1995 0-8
1990 0-7 1993 1-7 1996 1-7
1991 1-6 1994 1-7 1997 3-3
A ROAD VICTORY -
Wake Forest's win at Duke this past Saturday was its first away from home since a 1995 victory (30-7) at Navy. It was the first ACC road win for the Demon Deacons since a 20-13 conquest of Georgia Tech in Atlanta in 1994.
The Deacons had lost 10 straight conference contests on the road and 11 games overall on foreign territory.
HOME VICTORIES -
As Wake Forest hosts Clemson this week in the final home date of 1997, it already is assured of a winning record at home this fall, having captured three of four contests in Groves Stadium thus far.
Since the opening of Groves in 1968, the Demon Deacons have won more games than they have lost at home seven times prior to this fall, including undefeated records in 1970 (4-0) and 1979 (5-0). The last season that saw the Deacs register a winning record in Groves was 1992 when that Independence Bowl-bound club was 3-2 at home.
THE STATS ARE BETTER, TOO -
There are three dates left, of course, but here's a revealing comparison of total offense, total defense and scoring figures for Wake Forest this season, in 1996, and over the last four years.
Getting Better by the Numbers
1997 1996 Difference Best under Caldwell
Total Offense 384.3 319.2 +65.1 ypg 352.2 (1993)
Scoring Offense 24.3 13.1 +11.2 ppg 18.1 (1993)
Total Defense 340.6 475.8 -135.2 ypg 426.1 (1995)
Scoring Defense 22.9 34.0 -11.1 ppg 28.9 (1993)
ESPECIALLY ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE -
Wake Forest has allowed only 341 yards per game to its eight opponents while being especially stingy against the run, surrendering barely over 100 yards per game (100.3) on the average. Last year, the opposition averaged 476 yards per game in total offense versus the Deacon defense, including 254 yards per outing on the ground.
A comparison of Wake Forest's defensive numbers in '97 versus this season's six ACC opponents a year ago is also quite revealing.
Deacons Getting Defensive
RUSHING YARDAGE TOTAL YARDAGE
OPPONENT 1997 1996 Improved by 1997 1996 Improved by
GaTech 133 309 176 341 536 195
N.C.State 98 274 176 307 461 154
Virginia 128 215 87 311 522 211
N.Carolina 80 191 111 354 497 143
Maryland 53 355 302 589 367 222
Duke 153 177 24 349 449 100
Average Improvement 146.0 Average Improvement 170.8
FIRST TD IN FIRST QUARTER -
A Wake Forest fumble at its own 36-yard-line this past Saturday set up a four-play Duke scoring drive that resulted in the first touchdown surrendered by the Demon Deacons in the first quarter all season. The only points previously managed against the Deacs in the first period this fall were field goals by Northwestern and Maryland.
Wake has still outscored its eight opponents, 61-13, in eight first quarters.
MOST POINTS UNDER CALDWELL -
Wake Forest's 38 points last Saturday at Duke represents the most scored by a Demon Deacon team in four-plus seasons under coach Jim Caldwell. Twice, the Deacs had totaled 35 points under Caldwell, including in a 35-17 win over Maryland a week ago.
The last time that a WFU squad tallied more than 38 points was in the Independence Bowl 39-35 victory over Oregon in 1992.
BEST TWO-GAME TOTAL SINCE 1990 -
With the 35 points against Maryland and the 38 at Duke, Wake Forest has put together its highest scoring back-to-back games in seven years. The last time that the Demon Deacons totaled more than 73 points in consecutive outings came in 1990 when they defeated Army, 52-14, then lost the next week to North Carolina, 31-24 (76 total points).
TURNOVER TROUBLES -
The one statistical area in which the 1997 Deacons do not show marked improvement involves turnovers. Even in a winning effort at Duke this past Saturday, Wake Forest committed five turnovers (3 interceptions, 2 fumbles), increasing its season total to 25 (11 interceptions, 14 fumbles) -- that's 13 more "giveaways" than the Deacs have in "takeaways." The opposition has just 12 turnovers (6 ints & 6 fumbles).
Last Saturday marked the second time this season that Wake Forest has won while committing five turnovers. Earlier, the Deacons lost possession five times (4 fumbles, 1 interception) but still defeated N.C.State.
ACC LEADERS -
The only Demon Deacon who is leading an individual statistical category in the ACC this week is kickoff return specialist MYLES SAVAGE. Savage, who turned in a school record-tying 98-yard kickoff return two weeks ago against Maryland, ran 40 yards with his lone kickoff return opportunity at Duke. He now leads the league with a 31.6-yard average on the year (11 returns for 347 yards).
Quarterback BRIAN KUKLICK is 2nd in the ACC in both total offense (256.4 ypg) and passing yardage (268.5 ypg), while placekicker MATTHEW BURDICK ranks 2nd in the league in two categories as well--scoring (7.0 ppg) and field goal production (1.5 per game).
Three Deacon wide receivers are among the top eight in the ACC. DESMOND CLARK is 2nd in the league with 53 catches; JAMMIE DEESE is 3rd with 43; and THABITI DAVIS is 8th with 37. Clark is 4th in receiving yardage (89.4 ypg), while Deese is 8th in that department (66.0 ypg).
NATIONALLY SPEAKING -
MYLES SAVAGE is 5th in the country in kickoff returns to lead four Deacons who rank among the top 20 individuals in this week's NCAA statistics. MATTHEW BURDICK is 13th in field goal kicking, while DESMOND CLARKis 14th in receptions and BRIAN KUKLICK is 20th in total offense.
As a team, Wake Forest is among the national leaders in two categories, one on both sides of the ball. The Deacons are 16th in the country in rushing defense (100.3 ypg) and 23rd nationally in passing offense (268.5 ypg).
DEACONS ON THE RUN -
The Wake Forest running game doesn't claim a spot in the national rankings, but this past week at Duke the Demon Deacons were operating at their best in quite some time at that aspect of their attack. The Deacs piled up 309 yards rushing versus Duke, their highest single game total since 1993 (and in 41 games), and had two individuals accumulate more than 100 yards--the first time that two Wake runners had reached triple figures on the ground in the same game since 1988.
Both HERMAN LEWIS and MORGAN KANE established new personal highs in rushing against the Blue Devils. Lewis ran for 160 yards on just 15 carries, while Kane had 146 on 17 attempts. Previously, the best outing for Lewis had been a 149-yard effort at Georgia Tech in 1994; Kane's career high prior to Saturday was 131 yards last year at Clemson.
Oddly, Wake Forest's last 300-yard rushing game as a team came in a losing cause in a 396-yard performance against Maryland in 1993 (a 33-32 loss when John Leach set an ACC record with 329 yards on the ground himself). And that last dual 100-yard individual outings in 1988 (by Anthony Williams with 139 and Mark Young with 122) came in a 34-34 tie with App State.
THE WORK UP FRONT -
Obviously, when a team runs for 309 yards--and compiles 514 yards in total offense--there is some outstanding work being done in the trenches. Credit there last Saturday goes to the offensive line of center CHRIS GASKELL, guards SAM SETTAR and TARIS CLARK, and tackles JEFF FLOWE and BRIAN WOLVERTON.
Of that group, Gaskell received the highest individual grade by the coaching staff in their review of the game tapes with an efficiency rating of 88%. That is the fourth time in eight contests this season that the Hampton, VA senior has been the highest-rated performer on the Demon Deacon front.
DEACON AIR ATTACK -
Demon Deacon quarterback BRIAN KUKLICK, who had thrown for a career-high 330 yards the previous week in the win over Maryland, was limited to a season-low 205 yards through the air at Duke, although he still collected two touchdown passes (both to THABITI DAVIS) and did an excellent job at the line of scrimmage in setting up the effective running game.
Kuklick has passed for more than 250 yards in six games this season, and for 235-or-more in seven of eight outings. Last Saturday's contest marked his first under the 235-yard figure in 10 contests dating back to 1996.
The Hatboro, PA junior did still move into 3rd place on the all-time WFU passing list this past week. He now has 5,253 yards, two more than Jay Venuto's career total of 5,251. That career figure is good enough for 16th on the ACC career chart as well. Kuklick is also now 4th on the Wake recordbook in pass completions and TD passes.
Wake Forest Career Passing Leaders
Passing Yardage Pass Completions Touchdown Passes
(1) Mike Elkins 7,304 Gary Schofield 640 Gary Schofield 44
(2) Gary Schofield 7,205 Mike Elkins 609 Mike Elkins 43
(3) BRIAN KUKLICK 5,253 Rusty LaRue 472 Jay Venuto 38
BRIAN KUKLICK 440 BRIAN KUKLICk 29
Keith West 29
TRIPLE THREAT RECEIVERS -
As noted earlier, Wake Forest has three players--all wide receivers--among this week's top eight receivers in the ACC. DESMOND CLARK is 2nd (with 53 receptions), JAMMIE DEESE is 3rd (43), and THABITI DAVIS is 8th (37). Each of that trio has four touchdown catches this year, too.
Deese is still just a sophomore, but both Clark (a junior) and Davis (a senior) are steadily ascending the Wake Forest career lists for receiving and receiving yardage as the 1997 regular season enters its final month. Davis, in fact, jumped into 3rd place on the WFU chart in career catches with his 9 (for 92 yards) at Duke. After a slow start in 1997, the Charlotte senior has caught 25 passes the last four games and been on the receiving end of Brian Kuklick TD tosses three times the past two weeks. He had nine career TDs before last Saturday, but had never caught two in one game until the win at Duke.
Wake Forest Career Receiving Leaders
Receptions Receiving Yardage
(1) Ricky Proehl 188 Ricky Proehl 2,949
(2) James Brim 153 Todd Dixon 2,466
(3) THABITI DAVIS 149 Wayne Baumgardner 2,431
(4) John Henry Mills 146 James Brim 2,040
(5) Wayne Baumgardner 141 Red O'Quinn 1,990
(6) Todd Dixon 139 THABITI DAVIS 1,756
(7) DESMOND CLARK 138 John Henry Mills 1,735
(8) DESMOND CLARK 1,733
CLARK OVER 100 YARDS FOR FOUR TIMES THIS FALL -
Wide receiver DESMOND CLARK has reached triple digits in receiving yardage four times this season, most recently with a 111-yard outing two weeks ago in the win over Maryland. That was also his seventh career 100-yard game. Clark's 11 receptions at North Carolina are the most by any player in the ACC in 1997.
100-Yard Receiving Games for DESMOND CLARK
137 (13 receptions) vs Duke 11/16/96
134 (7) vs N.C.State 9/25/97
127 (9) vs Northwestern 9/6/97
113 (9) vs Virginia 9/21/96
111 (6) vs Maryland 10/18/97
110 (6) at N.C.State 11/23/96
102 (11) at North Carolina 10/11/97
NO SURPRISE -- MOSES & LYMAN TOP TACKLERS AT DUKE -
Linebacker KELVIN MOSES led the Demon Deacons with 9 tackles at Duke. That marked the third time this season that the Hartsville, SC junior had been the team's top "hit man." Wake Forest's other outstanding inside linebacker DUSTIN LYMAN was credited with 8 stops against the Blue Devils, including his 9th tackle-for-loss and 7th sack.
Lyman leads the team with 75 stops on the year. He also is tops in both TFLs and sacks. Moses currently is 2nd on the squad in total tackles with 69.
MOSES REACHES 300 MARK -
He's still just a junior, but linebacker KELVIN MOSES topped the 300-tackle figure for his already terrific Wake Forest career. The Hartsville, SC native presently ranks 13th in school history with 301 career stops and should enter the all-time top ten before the 1997 season concludes.
Demon Deacon Hit List (total tackles)
(1) Ed Stetz 460
(2) Carlos Bradley 438
(3) Kevin Giles 412
(4) Bill Armstrong 402
(5) Ernie Purnsley 385
(6) Reggie McCummings 374
(7) Jimmie Simmons 346
(8) Marc Hester 331
(9) Lamont Scales 320
(10) Rory Holt 319
(11) James Parker 311
(12) Tony Scott 306
(13) KELVIN MOSES 301
LED BY LINEBACKERS -
An outstanding trio of linebackers are the leaders of the Wake Forest defensive scheme, providing both consistency and big plays. The trio are one-two-three in tackles on the Deacon chart, combining for 198 stops on the season (25 per game!) and 21 tackles-for-losses.
DUSTIN LYMAN and KELVIN MOSES have already been mentioned above. The Deacs' third excellent linebacker is outside 'backer ("Demon") DAVID ZADEL, who ranks 3rd on the team with 54 tackles. Zadel made one of the key plays in the win over Duke with his first career interception early in the fourth quarter, setting up what would prove to be the drive for the go-ahead touchdown that broke a 24-24 tie.
SACK ATTACK -
The 1997 Demon Deacons have 22 sacks this season--that's nine more than their entire total in 1996. In fact, the current figure is higher than any season total at Wake Forest since the 1992 team was credited with 41 sacks.
The individual leader in that department is linebacker DUSTIN LYMAN with seven, followed by sophomore tackle FRED ROBBINS' four, and KELVIN MOSES and KELVIN SHACKLEFORD with three apiece.
Two weeks ago, The Wake Forest defense recorded seven sacks against Maryland, its highest single game total since 1992 when that year's squad collected nine sacks versus the Terps in a win in College Park.
REDSHIRTING REGIMEN -
Although he was not able to redshirt the desired number of individuals in his first two classes to Wake Forest, coach JIM CALDWELL has stayed with that course the past two years--and he's well on his way to a third straight season of holding back his freshman class in 1997.
There are only eight fifth-year scholarship players on this year's roster, the lone remainder of Caldwell's first group of Demon Deacon freshmen. His second incoming group (in 1994) had five of 16 players play as true freshmen. Since then the redshirt numbers have increased considerably. Of 1995's 23 freshman, 22 have been redshirted, and 12 of 16 first-year players a year ago were held out as rookies.
Thus far in the 1997 campaign, no true freshman (of a class of 17) has seen action for the Deacons.
THE STARTING LINEUP -
Senior D'ANGELO SOLOMON started his 31st straight game at cornerback for the Demon Deacons this past Saturday. The talented Solomon has not been out of the opening lineup since his first start at Georgia Tech in the 1994 regular season finale (his true freshman year).
DAVID ZADEL has 25 consecutive starts as a Deacon, while five other individuals--DESMOND CLARK, THABITI DAVIS, JEFF FLOWE, BRIAN KUKLICK & KELVIN MOSES--figure to start their 20th straight game at Wake Forest this Saturday versus Clemson.
Demon Deacon Career Starts (1997 starts)
31 Robert Fatzinger (8)
D'Angelo Solomon (8)
30 Kelvin Moses (8)
29 David Zadel (8)
22 Thabiti Davis (8)
Jeffrey Muyres (5)
21 Jeff Flowe (8)
Brian Kuklick (8)
Wande Shaw (2)
Terrence Suber (3)
19 Desmond Clark (8)
Aljamont Joyner (6)
Chris Gaskell (8)
Fred Robbins (8)
18 Taris Clark (8)
17 Joe Zelenka (8)
14 Herman Lewis (2)
13 Morgan Kane (6)
Dustin Lyman (8)
11 DaLawn Parrish (8)
8 Dameon Daniel (8)
Jammie Deese (8)
Sam Settar (8)
7 Kelvin Jones (7)
Jon Mannon
Clint Wilburn
Kelvin Shackleford (3)
3 Reggie Austin
2 Mark Makovec
Consecutive Starts:
Solomon - 31
Zadel - 25
D.Clark, Davis, Flowe, Kuklick, Moses - 19
Gaskell 15
Robbins, Wolverton 14
Deacon Redshirting Progress
1997 Class Total Members* Not Been Redshirted Have Redshirted
Senior 13 5 8
Junior 12 1 11
Soph 26 4 22
Redshirt Freshmen 12 12
1997 True Freshmen 17 17#
*scholarship players only
#have not played in 1997
