Preseason #24 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview

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No. 24 Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest is enjoying the most successful period of its football history, and all the credit goes to its coach. Jim Grobe has instilled a disciplined, blue-collar approach to the game into his program and it has resulted in 20 wins over the last two years.

Grobe’s field general is Riley Skinner, proud owner of school records for completion percentage in a season (NCAA-high 72.4 percent last fall) and career (69.5 percent in his first two years). Skinner will be looking for some new targets this year, with Kenny Moore and tight end John Tereshinski no longer around. Chip Brinkman, a nine-game starter with 27 catches on the year, and Demir Boldin are situated atop the depth chart. Jordan Williams, the only true freshman to play for Wake last year, posted a team-high 15.7-yard average and caught a 62-yard TD pass from Skinner in the NC State game. He will have a regular spot in the rotation.


Grobe’s offense works best when the running game is clicking, and Josh Adams, who ran for 953 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall, is back at tailback. The offensive line requires some rebuilding, but guard Barrett McMillin and tackles Joe Birdsong and Jeff Griffin are proven performers.

Nine starters are back on defense, including the top five tacklers. Leading tackler Chip Vaughn (105 total stops) is back at strong safety. Cornerback Alphonso Smith tied for first in the nation with eight interceptions and ran three back for scores. Linebacker Aaron Curry also scored three times on interception returns and notched 99 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss.


The Deacons open their 2008 conference slate at Florida State on Sept. 20, following an open date. The Clemson game at Wake on Oct. 9 could have major ACC repercussions.

Getting to be a habit The Demon Deacons have been to bowl games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.

Reliable Riley In only two seasons Skinner has tied a school record with 18 wins by a starting quarterback.

They’ve arrived Wake Forest is one of only 18 teams in the FBS to have won 20 games over the last two seasons.


Wake Forest superlatives:

CB Alphonso Smith is named First-Team All-America and First-Team All-ACC.

RB Josh Adams, K Sam Swank, LB Aaron Curry and S Chip Vaughn are named First-Team All-ACC.

QB Riley Skinner is named Second-Team All-ACC.

OL Jeff Griffin and LB Stanley Arnoux are named Third-Team All-ACC.
 

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