Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Takes On Vanderbilt Saturday.
10/2/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 2, 2000
Wake Forest Weekly Notes
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Game #5 - Saturday, October 7
3:38 p.m. - Groves Stadium (31,500)
WAKE FOREST (0-4-0-3)
vs.
VANDERBILT (1-4)
KICKOFF: 3:38 p.m.
SITE: Groves Stadium (31,500), Winston-Salem, N.C.
TELEVISION: None
RADIO: The Demon Deacon Radio Network, heard on 15 stations in North Carolina and Virginia. Stan Cotten, the voice of the Deacons, calls the play-by-play. Former Deacs Ed Bradley and Mike Pratapas are the color analysts. Produced and distributed by ISP.
ON THE WEB: The radio broadcast can be heard live over the internet via WFU's home page - www.wakeforestsports.com.
THE SERIES: Vanderbilt leads 5-3. More series information is on page four.
THE RECORDS: Wake Forest is 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the ACC following a 27-10 loss at home to Virginia last Saturday. Vanderbilt is 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the SEC after a 33-0 loss at Auburn last Saturday.
THE RANKINGS: Neither team is ranked.
THE COACHES: Wake Forest coach Jim Caldwell (Iowa '77) is in his eighth season at WFU with a career record of 24-58. Caldwell is two wins shy of tying Al Groh for the third-most career wins in school history. Vanderbilt's Woody Widenhofer (Missouri '65) is 11-27 in his fourth season in Nashville, 23-58-1 in eight years overall.
TICKETS: Tickets are available by calling 1-888-758-DEAC.
OFFICIALS: Announced on game day.
GAME NOTE: Anthony Young became the first freshman to start at quarterback for Wake Forest since 1978 when he started behind center last Saturday against Virginia... Wake Forest will play its first SEC opponent since playing Vanderbilt on Sept. 3, 1994.
ACC Meets SEC Saturday When Wake Forest Hosts Vanderbilt At Groves Stadium
Wake Forest, hoping to snap a four-game losing skid, entertains Vanderbilt out of the Southeastern Conference at Groves Stadium on Saturday (3:38 p.m. kickoff/no TV).
The Deacons, 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the ACC, compiled a season-high 306 yards of total offense last Saturday in a 27-10 loss to Virginia, despite missing three key starters. Wake played without offensive starters C.J. Leak (QB), who is out for the season, Michael Collins (OT), who is questionable for Saturday and Tim Bennett (OG), who is doubtful.
Vanderbilt, 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the SEC, was shut out last Saturday at Auburn. The Commodores lone win this season came against the ACC's Duke Blue Devils, 26-7 on Sept. 23.
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series, 5-3, and the two teams will meet for the first time since 1994. More series information can be found on page four.
A Quick Look At The Deacons
Wake Forest may have lost its fourth consecutive game last Saturday, 27-10 to Virginia, but the Deacons showed promise on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Deacons used both true freshman Anthony Young and sophomore James MacPherson at quarterback last Saturday in place of C.J. Leak, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Young became the first Deacon this season to rush for 100 yards (102) and MacPherson completed 12-of-26 passes for 113 yards.
On defense, the Deacons spotted Virginia 20 first-half points last Saturday, but settled down in the second half to hold the Cavaliers to one touchdown. Senior linebacker Nick Bender had 11 tackles, including two for loss against the Cavaliers. End Calvin Pace registered two sacks. On special teams, sophomore Matt Brennie continued his consistent punting (42.3 average last Saturday), Tyler Ashe booted his second field goal this season (his other attempt Saturday was blocked) and John Stone averaged just under 24 yards per kickoff return.
A Quick Look At The Commodores
Vanderbilt's 1-4 record is misleading. The Commodores lost a 33-30 heartbreaker to Miami (Ohio) in the season opener, played well in a 28-10 loss to Alabama and nearly beat Mississippi before losing, 12-7. The Commodores are averaging 316 yards of total offense per game, including 222 yards passing per contest. Quarterback Greg Zolman has passed for 1,089 yards including five touchdowns and is completing 53.8 percent of his passes.
Jared McGrath (198 yards) and Ray Perkins (186 yards) lead Vandy in rushing. Receiver Dan Stricker has caught an impressive 26 passes for 484 yards and two touchdowns.
Two-QB System Provides A Lift For Deacon Offense
Just two weeks ago, the future for Wake Forest's offense didn't appear too bright. Starting quarterback C.J. Leak was knocked out for the season with a knee injury in a 55-7 loss at Clemson. The Deacons ranked dead last nationally in total offense and they were about to put a true freshman at starting quarterback.
But following last Saturday's performance against Virginia, optimism is running high in the Wake Forest camp. Coach Jim Caldwell's decision to employ a two-quarterback platoon to replace Leak was rewarded with a season-high 306 yards of total offense against a tough Virginia defense. True freshman Anthony Young started behind center - the first time since 1978 that a Deacon freshman started at quarterback - and he responded by rushing for 102 yards, the most by any WFU player this season.
MacPherson showed few signs of rust despite playing for the first time this season and seeing action at quarterback for the first time in his Wake Forest career. MacPherson, who saw limited action last season at punter, completed 12 passes for 113 yards against Virginia. On his first series, MacPherson completed 3-of-4 passes for 42 yards, leading to a Deacon field goal.
Wake compiled the 306 yards despite missing two key starters on the offensive line - guard Tim Bennett and All-ACC candidate Michael Collins at guard. Collins is questionable for Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.
Class Of 2003 Making An Impact, Four True Freshmen Started Against Virginia
Coach Jim Caldwell spoke highly of his most recent recruiting class. Now we know why.
True freshman quarterback Anthony Young rushed for 102 yards last Saturday against Virginia. Three other rookies - Quintin Williams (CB), Tyson Clabo (OG) and Mark Moroz (TE) also started against the Cavaliers. Offensive guard Brad Palmer saw his first career action last Saturday, becoming the eighth true freshman to see action this season. Other true frosh to play this season: Marcus Nesbitt (LB), Fred Staton (RB) and Kellen Brantley (LB).
Clabo has not only performed well on the offensive line, but he's proved to be versatile as well. Best at offensive tackle, Clabo started at guard last Saturday after Tim Bennett (shoulder) and Marcus Kisner (knee) did not dress because of injuries.
Nesbitt is likely to miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury. Young, the first freshman to start at quarterback for Wake Forest since 1978, has Wake's two longest rushes from scrimmage this season - 55 yards at Clemson and 53 yards against Virginia.
Caldwell hopes to keep redshirts on the rest of the 28-man freshman class, although there are other potential standouts among that group, including talented wide receiver Jason Anderson.
More On Anthony Young
A few things you might not know about true freshman quarterback Anthony Young: At age 18, he became one of the youngest starting quarterbacks in the nation when he started against Virginia last Saturday.
Young became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Wake Forest since 1978 when David Webber started the last seven games of the season. Webber passed for 1,070 yards in those seven games.
An exceptional athlete, Young came to Wake Forest primarily as a wide receiver. However, with James MacPherson out for part of the season and with little depth behind then-starter C.J. Leak, Young began fall drills at quarterback.
Young's father, Al, was a standout wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Young worked the last two years in the Augusta National clubhouse during the Masters golf tournament, where he has met many of the top pros including Tiger Woods and Fred Couples.
During practice earlier this fall, Young boasted to punt team coach Ray Rychleski that he could punt. Rychleski gave him the ball and Young promptly booted punts of 40 to 50 yards. "How did you learn to punt?" Young explained that he learned from former NFL great Ray Guy, who is a friend of Al Young.
Four of the top six offensive plays this season have been the result of a Young rush or pass. He has rushes of 55, 53 and 35 yards and a pass for 37 yards.
More On James MacPherson
When sophomore James MacPherson directed Wake Forest's third drive of the night last Saturday against Virginia, it marked the first time since 1997 - his senior year of high school - that he has played quarterback in a game. MacPherson was a standout quarterback and punter at Mountain View High School in Tucson (AZ) before coming to Wake Forest. He redshirted the 1998 season, and while he didn't see a snap at quarterback last season, he did play two games at punter.
In the spring, just when he began to battle C.J. Leak for the quarterback position, he injured his knee and underwent surgery. He was not medically cleared to play in games until Sept. 25. More on MacPherson:
MacPherson was Wake's third-string quarterback in 1999 behind starter Ben Sankey and backup C.J. Leak.
By the end of the 1999 season, he emerged as Wake's starting punter. He punted in the final two games of the regular season and in the Jeep Aloha Bowl.
Projected to be healthy enough to play in mid-October, MacPherson worked extremely hard to be ready slightly ahead of schedule.
The 20-year old is an outstanding student, previously earning Dean's List honors.
More From The Virginia Game
Sophomore offensive tackle Blake Henry, who underwent knee surgery in late August, saw his first action of the season in a reserve role. Henry is a transfer from Northwestern.
Senior wide receiver Chris Modelski caught his first pass of the season.
Sophomore defensive end Calvin Pace recorded two sacks for minus-14 yards, giving him three sacks on the season.
Senior linebacker Nick Bender also had two sacks against the Cavaliers.
True freshman Anthony Young's 102 yards marked the first 100-yard rushing game by a Deacon since Morgan Kane had 224 yards against Georgia Tech last season.
Modelski A Study In Persistence
Senior wide receiver Chris Modelski caught his first pass of the season last Saturday against Virginia and perhaps no one was happier than his teammates. They cheer for Modelski because what he has been through.
Modelski missed all of 1997 with a torn ACL. Two seasons later, in 1999, he missed the entire season with another torn ACL. The fifth-year senior, who was born in Poland, can still challenge for the team's fastest player, despite two surgeries.
Head Coach Jim Caldwell
Wake Forest head coach Jim Caldwell (Iowa '77) enters his eighth season with the Demon Deacons.
Caldwell, who took over the head coaching position at Wake Forest in 1993, has compiled a career record of 24-58.
The former assistant coach under Joe Paterno at Penn State has compiled some notable achievements during his tenure:
Last fall, Wake Forest recorded a winning season (7-5) and earned a postseason bowl bid for the first time since 1992.
In 1999, the Deacons defeated two nationally-ranked teams for the first time since 1979, topping No. 25 NC State and No. 14 Georgia Tech.
Wake Forest has won back-to-back nationally-televised games on ESPN's Thursday night telecasts, defeating NC State in 1997 and Navy in 1998.
Caldwell teams have won twice in Clemson's famed "Death Valley." Prior to Caldwell's arrival, Wake had won just once in that stadium since 1950.
In both 1996 and 1997, Wake Forest stepped out of the ACC and recorded wins over nationally-ranked Northwestern, including a win over the defending Big Ten champions in 1996.
Wake Forest was ranked among the top 35 teams in the nation in every defensive category in 1999.
In 1995, WFU quarterback Rusty LaRue established seven NCAA passing records.
In 1998, senior Desmond Clark became the all-time leading pass receiver in ACC history.
WFU One Of Nation's Youngest Teams
Notes on Wake Forest's youthful 98-man roster:
Including kicking specialists, Wake Forest returns just five starters off of last year's 7-5 team that won the Jeep Aloha Bowl. According to Sports Illustrated, that's the fewest returning starters in Division I-A. Air Force, with seven returnees, ranks second.
Eleven Deacons made their first ever start in the season opener against Appalachian State, including six on offense: Ray Thomas (TE), Chris Blank (LT), Tim Bennett (RG), Ira Williams (WR), C.J. Leak (QB), Montique Sharpe (DT), Michael Clinkscale (SS), Chris Justice (CB), Nick Bender (LB) and Calvin Pace (DE).
Just three seniors were in the starting lineup in the season opener - Chris Blank (LT), Bryan Ray (DE) and Nick Bender (LB). A fourth senior, defensive tackle Da'Vaughn Mellerson, started against North Carolina. That was Mellerson's first career start.
Four true freshmen started last Saturday against Virginia - Anthony Young (QB), Mark Moroz (TE), Tyson Clabo (OG) and Quentin Williams (CB).
Young is the first freshman to start at quarterback for Wake Forest since 1978.
When it comes to skill positions, no team is younger than Wake Forest. The Deacons start a freshman at quarterback and sophomores at fullback, running back, tight end and one wide receiver position.
There are just 11 seniors on the roster.
Youngest Skills Position Starters Nationally
| Team | QB | RB | FB | TE | WR | WR |
| Houston | -- | So. | *So. | So. | So. | So. |
| SMU | -- | So. | *So. | So. | So. | So. |
| WAKE FOREST | Fr. | So. | So. | So. | So. | -- |
| Ohio | So. | So. | So. | -- | So. | -- |
| USC | So. | So. | -- | -- | So. | So. |
| Wyoming | -- | Fr. | -- | Fr. | Fr. | Fr. |
| Arkansas | So. | So. | -- | So. | -- | -- |
| Bowling Green | So. | So. | -- | So. | -- | -- |
| Florida | -- | So. | -- | So. | So. | -- |
| Texas A&M | So. | So. | -- | -- | Fr. | -- |
*Starts a third sophomore receiver, no fullback
Bryan Ray Climbs Up Wake's Record Book
Senior All-ACC candidate Bryan Ray recorded his 31st career tackle-for-loss last Saturday against Virginia, moving him into sixth place on Wake's all-time list.
Ray had five total tackles against the Cavaliers.
Ray, who recorded his first career touchdown Sept. 9 against North Carolina when he recovered a fumble in the endzone, also ranks fourth in Wake Forest history for career sacks with 14.
More on Ray can be found later in this release.
Wake Forest Career Sacks Leaders
Player, Years Sacks
Mike McCrary, 1989-92 30
Fred Robbins, 1996-99 15
James Parker, 1976-79 15
Bryan Ray, 1997-current 14
Rudy Thompson, 1989-92 13
Dustin Lyman, 1996-99 11
Bruce Hopkins, 1974-77 11
Gary Baldinger, 1982-85 11
Maurice Miller, 1989-92 10
Wake Forest Career Tackles-For-Loss Leaders
Player, Years TFL
Mike McCrary, 1989-92 46
Fred Robbins, 1996-99 44
Kelvin Moses, 1994-99 37
James Parker, 1976-79 34
Tucker Grace, 1992-95 32
Bryan Ray, 1997-current 31
Dred Booe, 1990-93 30
Statistical Tidbits
- Wake Forest leads the ACC in fewest penalties (21) and penalty yards (209).
- The Deacons rank fourth in the ACC in pass defense and in kickoff returns.
- Wake ranks 14th nationally in kickoff returns.
- Junior John Stone ranks second in the ACC and 11th nationally in kickoff returns (28.6 ypr.).
- Stone ranks third in the ACC and 35th nationally in all-purpose yardage.
- Matt Brennie ranks fourth in the ACC and 18th nationally in punting (43.2 ypp.).
- Junior Ira Williams ranks ninth in the ACC in receptions per game (4.0).
- Adrian Duncan ranks seventh in the ACC in punt returns.
Stone One Of Nation's Top Kick Returners
Junior wide receiver John Stone is not only one of the fastest players in college football - he is a former 100- and 200-meter ACC champion - but he's also one of the top kick returners.
Last season Stone ranked third nationally in kickoff returns (29.9 yards per return). And he has picked up right where he ended last season.
Averaging 28.6 yards per return, Stone ranks second in the ACC and 11th nationally in kickoff returns.
In the season opener against Appalachian State, Stone returned two kickoffs for 99 yards including an 88-yard TD return in the first quarter. Stone has returned kickoffs for touchdowns twice in his career.
He was named the ACC Specialist of the Week following his performance in the season opener.
Stone also ranks third in the ACC and 35th nationally in all-purpose yards. He is 71 yards shy of 1,000 career kickoff return yards.
Stone's Career Kickoff Return Statistics
| Season | Ret. | Yds. | Avg. | TD | Long |
| 1998 | 8 | 140 | 17.5 | 0 | 21 |
| 1999 | 13 | 389 | 29.9 | 1 | 99 |
| 2000 | 14 | 400 | 28.6 | 1 | 88 |
| Totals | 35 | 929 | 26.5 | 2 | 99 |
National Leaders In Kickoff Returns
| Player, School | TDs | Avg. |
| Koren Robinson, NC State | 0 | 37.2 |
| Julius Jones, Notre Dame | 1 | 33.7 |
| Will Allen, Syracuse | 0 | 33.0 |
| Patrick Dyson, Utah | 1 | 31.7 |
| Zek Parker, Louisville | 0 | 30.3 |
| Derin Graham, Indiana | 0 | 29.9 |
| Tim Carter, Auburn | 1 | 29.9 |
| Chad Brinker, Ohio | 0 | 29.1 |
| Ricky Walker, Oregon State | 0 | 28.8 |
| John Stone, Wake Forest | 1 | 28.6 |
ACC Leaders In Kickoff Returns
| Player, School | TDs | Avg. |
| Koren Robinson, NC State | 0 | 37.2 |
| John Stone, Wake Forest | 1 | 28.6 |
| Kelly Campbell, Georgia Tech | 0 | 26.1 |
| Tavon Mason, Virginia | 0 | 25.2 |
| Milcala Sikyala, Maryland | 0 | 24.4 |
All-Time ACC Kickoff Return Average Leaders
| Player, School | (Years) | Avg. |
| Cliff Harris, South Carolina | (1969-70) | 28.1 |
| John Stone, Wake Forest | (1998- ) | 26.5 |
| Ralph Stringer, NC State | (1973-77) | 25.5 |
| Dez White, Georgia Tech | (1997-99) | 24.7 |
Longest Kickoff Returns - WFU History
| Yds. | Player | Opponent | Date |
| 99 | John Stone | at Duke | Nov. 13, 1999 |
| 98 | Tom Lockridge | at NC State | Nov. 24, 1973 |
| 98 | Anthony Williams | at Maryland | Oct. 13, 1990 |
| 98 | Myles Savage | Maryland | Nov. 18, 1997 |
| 96 | Larry Spencer | at Furman | Nov. 22, 1952 |
| 95 | Todd Dixon | Vanderbilt | Sept. 4, 1993 |
| 89 | Junior Moore | at Va. Tech | Sept. 18, 1971 |
| 88 | John Stone | App. State | Aug. 31, 2000 |
Williams Leads Versatile Receivers Group
Junior wide receiver Ira Williams leads Wake Forest in receptions (16) and receiving yards (152). Williams has performed exceptionally well over the last three games. Against Clemson on Sept. 16, he caught his first touchdown pass of the season - a 6-yarder. The previous week, against North Carolina, he caught six passes for 69 yards - both career bests. He had four catches for 22 yards on Saturday.
Kicking Specialists Are Weapons For Wake
Sophomore punter Matt Brennie, after a shaky start in the season opener, has been one of the top punters in the ACC, if not the nation. Brennie, who averages 42.3 yards per boot, ranks fourth in the ACC and 18th nationally.
He has seven punts this season of 50 yards or more. Ten of his 31punts have been downed inside the 20.
Junior placekicker Tyler Ashe is a weapon on both field goals and kickoffs. Only six of Ashe's 12 kickoffs this season have been returned. On field goal attempts, Ashe is 2-of-3 on the season including a 50-yarder in the season opener against Appalachian State.
This Date In WFU Football History
Wake Forest is 5-8 all-time when playing on Oct-ober 7th (Saturday's date). The Deacons last played on this date in 1995 - a 9-6 loss at home to Maryland. The last time Wake played a non-conference game on Oct. 7 came in 1978 - a 14-7 loss at Purdue.
A Look Back At The Last Wake Forest-Vanderbilt Meeting
At Nashville, Sept. 3, 1994 - The 1994 season opener for Wake Forest was tarnished by Vanderbilt in a 35-14 defeat. Vandy actually had to rally from behind after the Demon Deacons took a 14-3 halftime lead, but a strong Commodore running game and aggressive defense reversed the outcome in the second half.
After falling behind, 3-0, Wake Forest took advantage of two Vanderbilt turnovers to score a pair of second quarter touchdowns. A Jimmy Quander fumble recovery set up a short drive that ended with Stacie Gresham's 2-yard TD run. Then with 3:12 to go in the half, Kevin Gils stripped a ball-carrier and recovered the ball at the Vanderbilt 34. Three plays later, quarterback Rusty LaRue connected with Dan Ballou for a 27-yard touchdown pass.
The final two periods, however, belonged to Vanderbilt. The Commodores outscored Wake 32-0 and outgained the Deacons 368 to 67 in the second half. Vanderbilt kept possession of the ball for 22 minutes in the second half and scored on five of seven possessions.
Wake Forest-Vanderbilt Connections
Wake Forest has just one player from the state of Tennessee on its roster
Knoxville freshman Tyson Clabo, who made his career starting debut at offensive guard last week.
Vanderbilt has just one player from the state of North Carolina on its roster - Charlotte's Andrew Gardella.
Vanderbilt assistant coach Bill Maskill was on the Wake Forest coaching staff from 1990-92.
Wake Forest running backs coach Bobby Kennedy was on the University of Illinois coaching staff in 1990 and 1991 when current Vanderbilt assistant coach Mike Deal also worked for the Illini.
Vandy assistant coach Ray Zingler and Wake Forest assistant Ray Rychleski both served on the same staff at Temple in the early 1980s.
Injury-Plagued Deacons Start To Get A Few Healthy Players Back Maybe Wake Forest's long list of injuries will get shorter this week. Knock on wood.
Junior offensive tackle Michael Collins, an all-star candidate who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, is questionable for Saturday. Sophomore tackle Blake Henry, who had knee surgery in late August, saw his first action of the season last week and helped spark Wake's thin offensive line. The Deacons expect to be without sophomore starting guard Tim Bennett (shoulder) until later this season.
Junior cornerback Chris Justice (hamstring) and and junior safety Tehran Carpenter (ankle) did not play against Clemson because of injury, but both came off the bench in last Saturday's game against Virginia.
At quarterback, sophomore C.J. Leak (knee) is out for the season, but the Deacons received good news last week when sophomore James MacPherson returned from a knee injury he suffered in spring drills. Other Deacon injury news:
PLAYED LAST WEEK FOR FIRST TIME IN 2000
Blake Henry (OL) - knee
James MacPherson (QB) - knee
QUESTIONABLE FOR SATURDAY
Michael Collins (OT) - Had knee surgery Sept. 15 but is close to
returning to action.
Marcus Kisner (OG) - Hurt knee last week in practice and did not play
against Virginia.
Jamaal Argrow (LB) - Hurt knee prior to last week's game against Virginia.
DOUBTFUL
Tim Bennett (OG) - Suffered a shoulder injury in the Clemson game.
OUT FOR REST OF SEASON
C.J. Leak (QB) - Hurt knee in Sept. 16 loss to Clemson.
Marcus Nesbitt (LB) - Hurt knee against North Carolina on Sept. 9.
Miscellaneous Deacon Notes
Wake Forest was one of just 10 schools to participate in postseason play in football, baseball and men's basketball during the 1999-00 academic year. Wake was the only ACC school to achieve that feat.
