Deac's Host 'Noles in Football Squads Home Finale
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
November 8, 1998
Wake Forest plays its final home game of the 1998 season this Saturday and faces its most difficult challenge of the year as it hosts nationally ranked Florida State. The Seminoles enter the game rated #5 in the country and could lock up a share of their seventh consecutive ACC championship with a win. The game also is the final home contest for the Demon Deacons this fall.
Kickoff time for the regionally televised (ESPN2) contest is 5:00 p.m.
Team Data
WAKE FOREST (3-6 / 2-4 in ACC) FLORIDA STATE (9-1 / 6-1 in ACC)
Offense: Multiple Offense: Pro Set
(21.4 ppg / 348.4 ypg) (33.8 ppg / 410.6 ypg)
Defense: Multiple Defense: 4-3 Multiple
(27.6 ppg / 393.1 ypg) (11.9 ppg / 219.5 ypg)
Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (6th year) Head Coach: Bobby Bowden (23rd year at Florida State)
W-17, L-47 W-217, L-52, T-4
same record overall 290-84-4 overall (33rd year)
0-5 vs Florida State 6-0 vs Wake Forest
THE SERIES WITH FLORIDA STATE - Wake Forest has lost all six of its games with Florida State since the Seminoles joined the ACC in 1992 and trails in the overall series with FSU, 13-2-1. Demon Deacon wins over the 'Noles came in 1973 (9-7) in Winston-Salem and in 1959 (22-20) in Tallahassee. The lone tie in the series occurred in the first meeting between the two schools in 1956.
In its contests with Florida State the past six years, Wake Forest has been outscored, 319-48, for an average deficit of nearly 45 points per game (53.2 ppg for FSU; 8.0 ppg for WFU). Wakes closest game with the 'Noles during this time was a 35-7 loss in Doak Campbell Stadium in 1992. FSU won last years date in Tallahassee, 58-7.
Florida State has visited Groves Stadium only twice before -- that 1973 date noted above, and in 1994 when it handed the Deacons a 56-14 defeat. Those 14 points do represent the most points scored by Wake Forest against the Seminoles in the six meetings during the 1990s.
THE DEACS LAST WEEK - Wake Forest and NC State combined for 962 yards in total offense (WF - 410, NCST - 552) in a back-and-forth contest in Raleigh this past Saturday that ended in a 38-27 Wolfpack win.
Wake led 14-7 after the first period on a quarterback sneak by Brian Kuklick (set up by a 49-yd pass to Jammie Deese) and a three-yard run by Kito Gary. State took advantage of a fumbled punt return by the Deacs Reggie Austin, which was recovered for a TD, and led 17-14 at intermission. The Deacons then had to place catch up the entire second half. Their last chance at a win came when trailing 31-27 midway in the fourth period, they drove to a first down at the State 27-yard-line. Kuklick fumbled, however, when sacked from behind and the Wolfpack took advantage of the turnover and marched down the field for the clinching score.
Kuklick finished with a career-high 421 yards passing (31-52) while Deese also enjoyed a career day with 12 catches for 167 yards. But the Wake rushing attack generated only 43 yards -- and when Kuklicks negative numbers on five sacks were figured in, the Deacons finished with a minus-11 in that category.
COMMENTS from COACH JIM CALDWELL - (On the loss to NC State) "It was a matchup of two big-play offenses. They were able to generate more of a running attack and wore us down defensively in the second half. That factor and a couple of costly turnovers on our part were the difference. I felt that our football team gave great effort. We really had some guys put it on the line in this ballgame. Unfortunately, we came up just a little bit short once again." (
On Florida State) "We're facing in Florida State a football team that is playing as well as, if not better than, any team in the country right now. Their offense is explosive and has numerous individual weapons. Their defense has been dominating throughout most of the season. And they have the leading kicker in the country. It will be a significant challenge for us, particularly with out injury situation in some key areas, but our team has not quit this year and I know they will prepare hard all week and play hard on Saturday."
NOTING THE DEMON DEACONS
FINAL HOME GAME FOR DEACON SENIORS - The 1998 Wake Forest senior class, which numbers 14 indi-viduals (and just 11 scholarship players), makes it final appearance in Groves Stadium this Saturday when the Demon Deacons host Florida State. This class, which includes the school's all-time leading pass receiver DESMOND CLARK and the number-one passer in WFU history in quarterback BRIAN KUKLICK, had seen the football program improve in each of the past two years since their freshman year, but now can do no better than match last year's victory total this fall.
As freshmen (redshirt freshmen except for Clark), this class won only one game. In 1996 as sophomores, they helped the Deacons improve to 3-8. Then came last year and a 5-6 record.
That same progress came in Atlantic Coast Conference play. In 1995, Wake Forest was winless in eight league outings. In '96, the Deacs defeated one conference opponent. And last year they were 3-5, tied for 6th in the final ACC standings.
SIDELINED SENIORS - The 1998 campaign has been a productive one for Demon Deacon seniors like BRIAN KUKLICK and DESMOND CLARK, but it has also been a difficult one for this group of upperclassmen from an injury standpoint. As Wake Forest prepares for Florida State this week, it could be without the services of as many as four of its 11 scholarship seniors.
Linebacker KELVIN MOSES has missed practically the entire '98 season with a knee injury, playing briefly in just two contests. JON MANNON, another inside linebacker, missed three games with a concussion, then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against North Carolina.
Clark, the ACC's all-time leading pass receiver (see reverse side), missed last week's game at NC State with a sprained knee that he sustained the previous game versus Virginia and is considered questionable for the matchup with the Seminoles. And safety JEFFREY MUYRES was added to the senior casualty list this past weekend when he injured a shoulder in the ballgame at State. He is also questionable for the upcoming contest.
Of the 11 Deacon scholarship seniors overall, only Kuklick, offensive tackle JEFF FLOWE and fullback WANDE SHAW have gone injury-free this season.
UNLUCKY 38 - Wake Forest has lost three straight games. All three opponents have defeated the Demon Deacons by scoring 38 points -- North Carolina (38-31), Virginia (38-17) & NC State (38-27). If the Deacs can limit the high-powered offense of Florida State to 38 points, it would be the lowest point total by the Seminoles against Wake Forest since a 35-7 Deacon loss in Tallahassee in 1992.
DEACS FROM FLORIDA - There are 12 members of the 1998 Wake Forest team who are from Florida. Only the state of North Carolina, home for 24 current Deacs, has produced more.
Of course, the leading Deacon from the Sunshine State is senior wideout DESMOND CLARK (Lakeland/ Kathleen HS). Other starters on offense are tailback KITO GARY (Miami/Christopher Columbus HS) and fullback WANDE SHAW (Plant City/Plant City HS). Defensive starters include standout tackle FRED ROBBINS (Pensacola/Gonzalez HS) and linebacker ABDUL GUICE (Rockledge/Rockledge HS).
Additional Florida products figuring to see action this week as well are reserve defensive back MARK DeORIO (Jacksonville/Bolles School), defensive end RUFUS TAYLOR (Lakeland/Kathleen HS) and tight end BEN STAFFORD (Ft.Lauderdale/St.Thomas Aquinas).
DEACONS VERSUS FLORIDA STATE - Here's a review of individual highlights for some current Demon Deacon players previously in their careers versus the Seminoles:
Desmond Clark - has fewer receptions (10) vs FSU than any other ACC opponent had one catch as
a freshman and four as a sophomore did produce Wake's only points last year on a 25-yd TD catch from
Ben Sankey, totaling 6 rec for 71 yds on the day played that game with a dislocated shoulder suffered
the previous week at Rutgers.
Morgan Kane - accounted for Wake's only points vs FSU in 1996 (@Orlando) when he ran 80 yds for
a touchdown, the longest run from scrimmage by a Deacon in 30 years and the 5th-longest ever.
Brian Kuklick - did not play in last year's game after sustaining a broken leg two games earlier vs
Clemson was 15 of 27 for 116 yds (no Tds, no ints) in 1996 loss in Orlando.
Ben Sankey - started last year at FSU and completed 21 of 41 passes for 251 yds, including a 25-yd TD
to Desmond Clark threw 5 interceptions, however, and was sacked 11 times (for 66 yds in losses).
Desmond Clark
#1 Receiver in ACC History
CLARK ATTAINS ALL-TIME ACC MARK - Demon Deacon wide receiver DESMOND CLARK became the ACC's all-time leading pass receiver on October 17th at Maryland when he grabbed his second reception of the afternoon. The senior from Lakeland, FL, caught a 19-yarder from Brian Kuklick on the game's second play from scrimmage, then on 3rd-and-3 from the Terp 49, he picked up a Deacon first down with a six-yard catch.
The week before against Duke, Clark had become the Wake Forest all-time leading receiver, moving past Ricky Proehl (now with the St. Louis Rams), who had 188 catches during his brilliant career from 1986-1989.
ACC Top Five Receivers ACC Top Six in Receiving Yardage
(1) DESMOND CLARK 211 (1) Clarkston Hines, Duke 3,318
(2) Jermaine Lewis, Md 193 (2) Torry Holt, NCState 3,113
(3) Clarkston Hines, Duke 189 (3) Ricky Proehl, WF 2,949
(4) Ricky Proehl, WF 188 (4) Jermaine Lewis, Md 2,932
(5) Geroy Simon, Md 185 (5) E.G. Green, FSU 2,920
(6) DESMOND CLARK 2,741
DESMOND DINGED - DESMOND CLARK was sidelined in the third quarter of the Virginia game (Oct.31) when he sustained a knee injury on his fourth reception of that game. He had averaged nearly eight receptions and 115 yards receiving per game over the previous six contests and had his string of consecutive games with a touchdown reception halted at six in a row in that game.
Clark did not dress for last week's game at NC State and is presently listed as questionable for this week's contest with Florida State.
ON THE WAKE FOREST LISTS - Clark, of course, is at or near the top of all three major Wake Forest career receiving lists. He became only the fifth Deacon ever to surpass the 2,000-yard mark in receiving yardage earlier this season against Navy and advanced into 2nd-place on that chart at Maryland with his 112-yard performance, moving past Wayne Baumgardner (2,431 yds) and Todd Dixon (2,466).
Wake Forest Career Receiving Leaders Receptions Receiving Yardage Touchdown Receptions (1) DESMOND CLARK 211 Ricky Proehl 2,949 Ricky Proehl 25 (2) Ricky Proehl 188 DESMOND CLARK 2,741 Todd Dixon 24 (3) Red O'Quinn 22 (4) Kenny Duckett 19 (5) DESMOND CLARK 19
VERSUS THE ACC - Research compiled by the astute ACC Office media relations office has revealed that DESMOND CLARK has caught 20 passes or more against six of eight ACC opponents. The two who he has not topped the 20-reception mark against are still to be faced in '98, too. Clark's fewest receptions in the ACC (10) have come against Florida State. He has scored a touchdown against seven conference schools (all but Georgia Tech).
Desmond Clark vs the ACCOpponent Receptions Yardage Touchdowns Clemson 20 302 2 Duke 27 297 3 Florida State* 10 115 1 Georgia Tech* 12 114 0 Maryland 20 278 3 North Carolina 24 318 1 NC State 20 290 2 Virginia 27 336 2 *still to be played in 1998
Brian Kuklick
#1 Passer in Wake Forest History / #5 in ACC
KUKLICK MOVES INTO TOP SPOT - Wake Forest senior quarterback BRIAN KUKLICK became the all-time leading passer in Wake Forest school history with his career-high 421-yard performance at NC State. Kuklick became just the 8th QB in ACC history to throw for 7,000 yards during a career the previous Saturday when he threw for 240 yards against Virginia and now has 7,602 yards overall as a Demon Deacon.
The Deacon field leader is also well within range of both other major passing records at the school as indicated on the chart below.
Wake Forest Career Passing Leaders Passing Yardage Pass Completions Touchdown Passes (1) BRIAN KUKLICK 7,602 Gary Schofield 640 Gary Schofield 44 (2) Mike Elkins 7,304 BRIAN KUKLICK 635 Mike Elkins 43 (3) Gary Schofield 7,205 Mike Elkins 609 BRIAN KUKLICK 42
AND IN THE ACC - BRIAN KUKLICK is now within reach of becoming only the fifth quarterback in ACC history to pass for more than 8,000 yards in his career, needing just 398 yards over his final two games. Kuklick also will move into 5th on the league's career chart for pass completions with 16 more successful passes (and 4th with 18 more completions).
ACC Career Passing Leaders
Yardage Completions
1) Ben Bennett, Duke 9,614 Ben Bennett, Duke 820
2) Spence Fischer, Duke 9,021 Spence Fischer, Duke 786
3) Shawn Jones, GaTech 8,441 Steve Slayden, Duke 699
4) Steve Slayden, Duke 8,004 Shawn Jones, GaTech 652
5) BRIAN KUKLICK 7,602 Scott Milanovich, Md 650
6) GARY SCHOFIELD, WF 640
7) BRIAN KUKLICK 635
SIXTEEN TIMES WITH 250 OR MORE - During his career at Wake Forest, BRIAN KUKLICK has passed for 250 yards or more on 16 occasions, including at least once against every ACC opponent except Florida State. The 16th of those efforts came this past Saturday at NC State in the most productive afternoon of his splendid career when he threw for a career-high 421 yards, completing 31 of 52 passes. He passed for a pair of touchdowns and was not intercepted until his final throw of the day on the Deacs' last desperation drive.
Earlier this fall, Kuklick surpassed the 250-yard mark with 276 yards (16-35) vs North Carolina, 256 yards (21-36) in the win over Navy, 251 yards (14-24) at Clemson, and 259 yards (22of 37) against App State.
Kuklick has been the most accurate passer in the ACC throughout the 1998 season. Currently he is completing 57.8% of his passes.
NEW FAVORITE TARGETS - With Desmond Clark out of action, Brian Kuklick looked to junior JAMMIE DEESE as his primary receiver during this past week's game at NC State. Deese responded with a career performance as well, catching 12 passes for 167 yards (both new personal bests).
Another individual who emerged in the passing game, largely because of an injury to a teammate, was running back CHRIS McCOY. With MORGAN KANE sidelined with a neck strain, McCoy stepped in and caught six passes for 107 yards, including his first career touchdown (of any kind) on a 17-yard reception in the fourth quarter that pulled Wake to within four points (31-27).
HOW GOOD WERE KUKLICK & DEESE? - The performances by quarterback BRIAN KUKLICK and wide receiver JAMMIE DEESE last Saturday at NC State rank among the best ever by Wake Forest players.
Kuklick's 421 yards passing rate 7th on the all-time single game list at WFU. Of those seven 400-yard passing efforts, though, none have come in a winning cause. Kuklick's 31 completions also equal the 7th-most in one game by a Deacon quarterback.
Deese's 12 receptions tie him for 6th on the Wake Forest single game chart, while his 167 yards on those dozen catches rank 8th.
GROUND GAME GROUNDED - With Brian Kuklick filling the Carter-Finley Stadium air with 52 passes this past week, the Demon Deacons not surprisingly did not generate much of a rushing attack. In fact, an eight-yard gain by CHRIS McCOY represented the only running play by a Deacon player (other than Kuklick on a couple of scrambles) in the second half of that contest.
For the game then, Wake Forest finished with a negative-11 in the rushing category (Kuklick was sacked five times). The previous week against Virginia, Wake Forest had netted just four yards on 17 rushing attempts.
SETTAR HAS STAYING POWER - Demon Deacon offensive guard SAM SETTAR, a 6'4, 238-pound junior from Marlton, NJ, has played all 653 offensive plays this season. Combined with the 804 snaps that he took last year (every offensive play), that gives Settar a streak of 1,457 consecutive plays.
Two other offensive linemen -- tackle JEFF FLOWE and guard BRIAN WOLVERTON -- have also been on the field for all 653 plays during the 1998 season.
ROBBINS A ROCK IN D-LINE - Junior defensive tackle FRED ROBBINS continued his excellent play during the 1998 season with 6 unassisted tackles at NC State. Included in Robbins' performance were a sack for a 10-yard loss and another tackle-for-loss of four yards.
The Pensacola, FL product has been extremely consistent in the middle of the Demon Deacon defense all fall with five tackles or more in eight of nine contests.
PETZ & PARRISH PRODUCTIVE PAIR - Two other Demon Deacon defenders worth noting are sophomore defensive end MAT PETZ and junior defensive back DALAWN PARRISH.
Petz, who entered last week's game at NC State tied for 3rd in the ACC in tackles-for-loss, made two more plays behind the line of scrimmage versus the Wolfpack to increase his season total in that category to 15, a figure that should keep him among the top three in the league this week (ACC defensive stats are released on Monday).
Parrish, a safety by trade, has been contributing at outside linebacker (at 197 lbs!) the past two weeks after a series of injuries to the Deacon linebacking corps. He was named the "ACC Defensive Back of the Week" after setting up the game-clinching field goal in Wake Forest's win at Maryland on October 17th with an interception, then ignited a WFU comeback from a 23-3 deficit against North Carolina with another "INT". Parrish now leads the Deacs in unassisted tackles on the season with 48, while ranking 3rd in overall stops with 61 (just two behind team leader JEFFREY MUYRES with 63).
AUSTIN TAKES AWAY TWO - Junior defensive back REGGIE AUSTIN leads the Wake Forest defense this fall with five "takeaways." The Atlanta native made his 3rd interception of 1998 on Saturday at NC State while also recovering a fumble for the second time this season.
As a team, the Demon Deacons now have 13 interceptions this season, their most since 1993 (14) and the second-highest total in the ACC. Only NC State with 16 "picks" ranks ahead of the Deacs in that category.
STILL NOT THE SAME - Even with the work of players such as Fred Robbins, Mat Petz, DaLawn Parrish and Reggie Austin, the Wake Forest defensive unit of 1998 is not what it might have been, functioning without the services of its two leading tacklers from 1997, linebackers KELVIN MOSES and DUSTIN LYMAN.
Moses has been hampered by a sore knee since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in late-August, playing very briefly in just two games (App State & Duke), and is not expected to return this season. Lyman, who was having a superlative 1998 season as the team's leading tackler with 62 tackles in five games (12.4 per) has been lost for the season since sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee versus Duke.
Moses and Lyman have combined for 553 total tackles during the past three-plus seasons at their inside linebacker spots (Moses with 321; Lyman with 232).
BURDICK STREAK BROKEN - Wake Forest placekicker MATTHEW BURDICK had his string of seven straight successful field goals ended this past week when he missed from 50 yards at NC State. The Winston-Salem product still is having an outstanding year, converting 13 of 17 field goal tries, with his four misses coming from 45 yards or more (45, 48, 50 & 54).
Burdick still needs four field goals to establish a new single season record at Wake Forest (Wilson Hoyle's 16 in 1987 are the current mark). He missed that record by one in 1997 when he made 15 of 23 attempts.
Earlier this fall, Burdick did equal another WFU record when he booted a 53-yard field goal against Appa-lachian State, matching the longest ever by a Deacon player.