Kaydee Gawlik
Junior running back Nyheim Hines leaps over a Clemson defender during the Homecoming game in Carter-Finley Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 4. Hines had a net gain of 34 yards during the game. The Wolfpack lost the Homecoming game against Clemson, 31-38.
NC State football, fresh off snapping its two-game skid at Boston College last week, hits the road for a big rivalry game this weekend. NC State will face off with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as its quest for a 10-win season continues. We caught up with senior writer Kyle Tatich of Wake’s student paper, Old Gold and Black, for some perspective on this week’s opponent.
1. An impressive Wake Forest team has kind of flown under the radar in the ACC Atlantic. How has this season gone for the Demon Deacons?
This season has been one that has exceeded expectations for the Wake Forest fan base. After reaching a bowl for the first time since 2011 in last year’s 7-6 season, the Demon Deacon faithful believed the program was capable of making it back to the postseason, although the road would be tougher this time around. Wake Forest finally defeated one of the ACC Atlantic giants this year, dominating Louisville and reigning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson just a few weeks ago. It has also played valiantly on the road against two of the nation’s best programs in Clemson and Notre Dame, losing by just 14 and 11 respectively. And last week, the Deacs secured their bowl bid in a 64-43 thriller at Syracuse. Wake Forest has reached six wins with two games remaining and the fan base now expects to have seven or eight victories at the conclusion of the regular season.
2. A hallmark of this Wake team has been an explosive offense. What has allowed the Deacs to put so many points on the board this year?
The offensive line has been the biggest reason for Wake Forest’s offensive success this year as quarterback John Wolford has only been sacked 10 times. In previous seasons, the Deacons have ranked at the bottom in total yards per game but now rank as the second most explosive offense in the ACC. Wolford has put up Heisman-worthy numbers in the last three weeks — against Louisville, Notre Dame and Syracuse. His 499 total yards and six touchdowns against the Orange was the single greatest performance by a quarterback in Wake Forest history and it’s safe to say that the four-year starter is currently playing the best football of his career. Wolford’s three straight games of at least 350 yards and three touchdowns puts him in elite company in the ACC as the only other quarterbacks to accomplish this feat in the ACC over the past decade are Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Mitch Trubisky and Jameis Winston.
While Wolford gets most of the credit for the improved offensive production, the offensive line deserves just as much or perhaps even more recognition. This offense is becoming dangerous, and after setting a school record for total yards in a game just a week ago, it’s as explosive as any in the country.
3. How does Wake look on the defensive side of the ball?
On the defensive side of the ball, Wake Forest is strong up front. Attributed to Wake Forest’s philosophy of redshirting guys and patiently developing players, the defensive line is the deepest and strongest it has been since Dave Clawson took over in 2014. The Demon Deacons rank sixth in the country in tackles for loss yet are vulnerable to giving up big plays if assignments are not kept. Defensive back Jessie Bates is perhaps the most valuable player on this defense and his absence due to injury against Notre Dame and Syracuse allowed the opposing offenses to exploit his normal side of the field. While his status is currently unknown, it could be expected that NC State’s [redshirt junior quarterback] Ryan Finley could have a big day, just as the Irish and Orange have in recent weeks.
4. Who are some key players for Wake?
On the offensive side of the ball tight end Cam Serigne and running back Matt Colburn are most notable, other than Wolford. Serigne just set the ACC career record for receiving yards by a tight end, surpassing 1,900 yards in the midst of his three-touchdown performance at the Carrier Dome. Colburn has taken advantage of an injury-filled backfield that normally splits carries between three backs. In the absence of Cade Carney and Arkeem Byrd, Colburn has crossed the century mark in three straight games and has found the end zone three times in this time frame.
On the defensive side of the ball defensive end Duke Ejiofor has put together an impressive senior campaign and will be in contention for first team All-ACC honors. As I mentioned earlier, the Wake Forest defense has been successful in dropping opposing offenses in the backfield, ranking sixth in the country in that category at nearly nine tackles for loss per game. Ejiofor was a big part of the unit that dropped Lamar Jackson in the backfield on seven occasions. Like Bates, Ejiofor’s status for Saturday is unknown as he suffered an ankle injury in the first half against Syracuse. If he is unable to go, his absence will certainly be felt.
5. Who are some players that have flown under the radar?
Cornerback Cameron Glenn and linebacker Grant Dawson are two guys that have played excellent football this year but have perhaps flown under the radar. The pair both have 68 tackles on the year and were the leaders that made adjustments at halftime last week to defeat Syracuse. Mike Weaver, the kicker, is another guy that often does not receive enough credit. He has made 15 of 18 field goals this year and was automatic last week against the Orange, making three field goals, two of which were of 40 yards or more.
6. What are the keys for this NC State team to beat Wake?
NC State needs to do what it does best to beat Wake Forest. It needs [senior defensive end] Bradley Chubb to play at the elite level he’s been playing at all season in an attempt to slow down the Wake Forest offense. Ryan Finley would need to protect the ball like he’s done all year and exploit any holes in the Demon Deacon defense that may exist due to injuries. And finally Dave Doeren would need to emulate what Brian Kelly and Dino Babers have done with their playmakers over the past two weeks against Wake Forest and give [junior running back] Nyheim Hines opportunities to find space [in] the open field for the potential big play.
7. What is your final score prediction for this one?
Historically playing at Wake Forest has not been favorable for NC State as the only two Wolfpack victories in Winston-Salem over the past 20 years came with Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Saturday will be no exception and Wake Forest will win this one in a high scoring affair, 41-34 as John Wolford continues his dominant play.