Football Prepares for 1998 Season
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Updated July 6, 1998
WINSTON-SALAM, N.C. - An exciting and promising 1997 campaign has Wake Forest head football coach JIM CALDWELL and his Demon Deacons looking forward to the 1998 season with much anticipation. Optimism within and around the program has never been higher in Caldwell's tenure.
In fact, not since 1987 and 1988 when Wake Forest teams under Bill Dooley put winning records back-to-back has there been as much preseason speculation--positive speculation, that is--surrounding the Deacons.
A winning season? Wake has had only one this decade, but Caldwell and company are certain that in 1998 that is a reachable goal.
Postseason is another lofty term when the topic of discussion is Wake Forest Football, but no one here is shying away from such conversation. The bar is being set at a new height for sure, but after five years of building his program in the manner that he knew would work, Caldwell believes without a doubt that the time has come to strive for nothing less.
"We feel good about what we're doing," Caldwell states. "Last year was our best team to date, and this team has the potential to be even better. We were one game away from being bowl-eligible in 1997, and while our schedule is more difficult this fall, that is our goal--to take that next step."
The Demon Deacons are coming off an excellent spring season in which they continued to emphasize the areas that Caldwell says led to their much-improved showing 12 months ago.
"One of the keys to our improved record and performance last fall was the commitment that our football team had made during the," the Wake Forest leader says. "We made that same type of individual and overall team commitment this spring in order to continue to improve.
"We have obviously made some major strides in developing our team speed and strength, but we must focus on getting even better in both of those areas. We require our people to do more, so we have to be durable, and we will continue to emphasize toughness as a key quality for our team. Last year, we let a couple of games get away from us because I think we lost our edge in the final quarter. We cannot let that happen again.
"Basically, it was our objective during the offseason to build an overall tougher mental attitude and a more aggressive style of play. I feel we took some positive steps toward achieving both of those goals."
The Demon Deacons finished 1997 with a 5-6 record and were 3-5 in the ACC. Both marks were the best by a Caldwell-coached team in his five years at Wake Forest, and the best since the Deacs were 8-4 (4-4 in ACC) and won the Independence Bowl in 1992. And in four of its six losses, Wake was leading at halftime.
Statistically, the 1997 Deacons were much-improved in every category as well. They increased their scoring by over nine points per game (13.1 ppg in 1996; 22.3 ppg in 1997) while lowering their defensive performance by almost eight points per contest (34.0 ppg in 1996; 26.2 ppg in 1997).
Wake Forest's 359 yards per game in total offense last fall was its highest output since 1989. As a team, the Deacs were 25th nationally in passing, averaging 253.3 yards per contest.
On the defensive side, Wake showed dramatic improvement against the opposition's rushing attack, surrendering only 96.1 yards per game on the ground--the 10th-best figure in the country. That was 158 yards fewer (per game) than the 1996 Deacons had allowed, making Wake Forest's 1997 defense the most-improved in the nation last fall. Seven of 11 opponents were held under 100 yards rushing.
"Last year was a confidence-builder for the young men in our program," Caldwell states. "Everyone had believed that we were doing things the right way and that we were getting better, but until we actually demonstrated that improvement on the field there was probably some doubt in the back of their minds.
"Now they know that the hard work is paying off and that the dedication they have showed will benefit us in terms of wins and losses."
Caldwell will have an ACC-high 16 starters (18 including two kicking specialists) returning from his 1997 squad and a total of 37 lettermen overall. Those 16 first-stringers are evenly divided between the offensive and defensive units. The Demon Deacons will still be a fairly young team, though, with only 12 scholarship seniors, but experience is plentiful in most areas. Of the 65 individuals on the spring roster (not including walk-on players), 60 have been redshirted.
Quarterback
Leading the returnees on the offensive side is the Demon Deacon field leader, quarterback BRIAN KUKLICK, who has already thrown for over 5,000 yards during his career. The All-ACC (2nd team) performer completed 61% of his passes in 1997 (190 of 312) and was second in the ACC in total offense (236 yards per game) until suffering a hairline fracture in his right leg in the season's ninth game.
Kuklick has started since his sophomore season and has 22 games of experience as the first-string QB. He already has received preseason notice as one of the premier quarterbacks in the country for 1998.
Wake's backup signal-caller is a quality performer in his own right. Junior BEN SANKEY has appeared in 11 contests the past two seasons, including two as a starter at the conclusion of 1997. He led the Deacs to their fifth victory of '97 at Rutgers last November.
Wide Receiver
The leading receiver in the ACC in 1997 was Wake Forest's DESMOND CLARK. After catching 72 passes (a WFU single season record) a year ago, Clark now needs only 37 receptions during his senior season to become the ACC all-time leader in receiving. He joins Kuklick as a legitimate candidate for individual postseason honors on the offensive side of the ball.
Junior JAMMIE DEESE, who finished 5th in the league with 54 catches last fall, gives Kuklick another proven receiver. Catching the ball in a crowd--and on crucial third down situations--has become commonplace for the elusive Deese, who with his quickness and speed is the perfect complement to Clark's size and strength.
The remainder of the Deacon receiving corps is an inexperienced group, however. William Merritt, who earned a scholarship with his performance last fall, did appear briefly in all 11 games last season. The other potential threats transfer MARVIN CHALMERS, who sat out 1997, and three gifted redshirts from last year--JIMMY CALDWELL, JOHN STONE and IRA WILLIAMS.
Veteran JOE ZELENKA may not be a well-known name around the ACC, but with his size and blocking skills, he should rank as one of the top tight ends in the conference this season. JAMES LIK is a proven backup there. The two combined to catch just 13 passes in 1997, though, so look for them to be more prominent in the air attack this season.
Running Back
When the Deacs go to the running game, they figure to look to junior MORGAN KANE to handle most of those duties. Kane ran for a career-high 146 yards in a win at Duke and averaged over four yards per carry (4.1) on the year. He combines power on the inside with breakaway speed (as in his 80-yard TD run at Florida State in 1996) and should be ready to emerge as a standout in the ACC this fall.
Sophomore CHRIS McCOY turned in an outstanding spring and will likely see plenty of playing time as well. His ability as a receiver adds a different dimension to the offensive backfield. Speedster KITO GARY had an excellent 5.3 yards-per-rush average last fall, but was slowed the latter half of the offseason by physical problems. He, too, could be a factor in the rushing attack.
The Deacon fullback position is headed by veteran WANDE' SHAW, a three-year letterman. McCoy could also see some action there, with KEVIN SMITH and youngster MATT MYERS also available.
Offensive Line
The offensive line that will need to protect Kuklick and clear the way for Kane and other backs is led by senior tackle JEFF FLOWE, a three-year starter and all-star candidate, and guard SAM SETTAR, who remarkably played all 804 offensive snaps for the Deacons in 1997.
BRIAN WOLVERTON is back after starting all 11 dates last year at tackle, though he was switched to guard alongside Flowe during the spring. His vacant spot at tackle will likely be filled by WILLIE LAM, a converted tight end, TODD HOLLOWELL or perhaps even talented redshirt freshman MICHAEL COLLINS.
MARLON CURTIS takes over at center for the graduated Chris Gaskell.
The offensive front has begun to develop some depth with Hollowell, CHRIS BLANK and BRIAN WALLS all available, and in at least their third year at WFU. The exception is at center, where Curtis' backup figures to be either walk-on WIL SPIRES or redshirt freshman VINCE AZZOLINA.
Linebacker
On the defensive side, the Demon Deacons will be led by the outstanding linebacker tandem of KELVIN MOSES and DUSTIN LYMAN, last year's top two tacklers. Lyman, as just a sophomore, led the team in both total tackles (91) and unassisted stops (57), closely followed by Moses with 85 (49 solo). The duo also combined for 17 tackles-for-loss (Lyman - 9, Moses - 8) and 11 sacks (Lyman - 7, Moses - 4).
Moses, who enters his senior year as one of the premier players at that position in the ACC, now has 317 career stops, 11th on the WFU all-time list.
Quality depth is also available on the inside with senior JON MANNON, a three-year letterman, ABDUL GUICE and NICK BENDER.
That same outlook is not the case at the outside linebacker ("Demon") position, where veteran MARK MAKOVEC figures to take over for the talented David Zadel (a free agent signee with the Dallas Cowboys). Makovec has been a standout special teams player for the Deacons the past two years but has seen limited action in scrimmage situations. The number-two "Demon" is a redshirt freshman, MARQUIS HOPKINS.
Secondary
The Deacon secondary also should be a strongpoint, although All-ACC (2nd team) performer D'Angelo Solomon will obviously be missed at one cornerback spot. Returning starters include DAMEON DANIEL at the other corner, and safeties DALAWN PARRISH and JEFFREY MUYRES. All three are fierce competitors who love contact and enjoy the obvious challenges that playing against the outstanding wide receivers of the ACC present.
REGGIE AUSTIN, who saw action in all 11 games in '97, is the likely replacement for Solomon. Reserves with experience include DAVID MOORE at safety and KEYSHORN SMITH at corner. The coaching staff is also enthusiastic about some of its young defensive backs, including MICHAEL CLINKSCALE, TEHRAN CARPENTER, MARK DeORIO and ADRIAN DUNCAN. All four were redshirted in 1997 and obviously lack experience, but certainly do not lack ability.
Defensive Line
The defensive front is missing starters Robert Fatzinger (at end) and standout tackle Aljamont Joyner, who missed the latter part of 1997 with a knee injury. Tackle FRED ROBBINS is back, however, and has the potential to be a dominating player. He totaled nine tackles-for-loss a year ago and will be counted on to increase that figure this season.
Also returning are a pair of Kelvins. KELVIN JONES started at end in '97 but has moved to tackle where he and KELVIN SHACKLEFORD, who took over for Joyner midway through last season, will contend for a starting role and actually topped the defensive line in tackles with 46.
Depth here is a concern. CLINT WILBURN, like Jones a transplanted end, is a two-year letterman, but the loss of DA'VAUGHN MELLERSON to a knee injury in the spring will have to be overcome.
The Deacs will be quite inexperienced at the two end slots where the probable starters are a pair of sophomores and one of the two top reserves is a redshirt freshman. BRYAN RAY saw some duty the second half of '97, while MATT PETZ, the other likely starter, has switched there from outside linebacker. NATHAN BOLLING is a talented young player who was redshirted last season. RUFUS TAYLOR has the most experience in the program (three years) but did not play in 1997 because of academic difficulties.
Kicking Game
The kicking game should be solid again for the Deacs with All-ACC (2nd team) punter TRIPP MOORE back for his senior season and MATTHEW BURDICK, who at one point converted nine consecutive field goal attempts last year, returning as the placekicker. Both are proven performers who should give Wake Forest a definite edge throughout the season.
One of the ACC's top kickoff return specialists, Myles Savage, will be have to be replaced, while REGGIE AUSTIN is back as the number-one punt returner.
The Schedule
Wake Forest's 1998 schedule is unquestionably a challenging one. Nine of next fall's 11 opponents won six or more games in 1997, and the composite record for all 11 foes last season was an impressive 77-50.
The schedule opens on national television (ESPN2) on September 5th at Air Force in Wake's first-ever meeting with the Falcons. Navy then visits Groves Stadium the following Thursday (September 10) for a nationally televised date on ESPN. Appalachian State returns to the schedule after a year's absence to complete the non-conference slate.
Quick Facts on Wake Forest
Location: Winston-Salem, NC 27109
Founded: 1834
President: Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, Jr.
Enrollment: 3,761
Faculty Representative: Dr. Ed Wilson
Athletic Director: Ron Wellman
School Colors: Old Gold & Black
Nickname: Demon Deacons
Stadium: Groves (31,500)
Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Head Coach: Jim Caldwell
Record at Wake Forest: 14-41 (5 yrs)
Overall Record: same
1997 Record: 5-6 / 3-5 in ACC
Offensive System: Multiple
Lettermen Returning: 16
Starters Returning: 8
Defensive System: Multiple
Lettermen Returning: 21
Starters Returning: 8
Total Lettermen Back/Lost: 39/12