Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Visits Death Valley
9/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 11, 2000
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Game #3
Saturday, September 16 - 1p.m.
Memorial Stadium (81,473)
WAKE FOREST (0-2-0-1) at #16 CLEMSON (2-0-1-0)
KICKOFF: 1:00 p.m.
SITE: Memorial Stadium (81,473), Clemson, S.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: Clemson leads 50-14-1. More series information is on page four.
THE RECORDS: Wake Forest is 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC after a 35-14 loss at home to North Carolina last Saturday. Clemson is 2-0 and 0-0 following a 62-9 rout over visiting Missouri last Saturday.
THE RANKINGS: Clemson is ranked 16th in the Associated Press poll and 16th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
THE COACHES: Wake Forest coach Jim Caldwell (Iowa '77) is in his eighth season at WFU with a career record of 24-56. Caldwell is two wins shy of tying Al Groh for the third-most career wins in school history. Clemson's Tommy Bowden is 8-6 in his second season with the Tigers, 26-10 in four seasons overall as a head coach.
TICKETS: Information not available.
OFFICIALS: Announced on game day.
GAME NOTE: Wake Forest is 7-7 over its last 14 games including last season ... The Deacons went 2-1 last season against nationally-ranked teams including wins over No. 25 NC State (31-7) and No. 14 Georgia Tech (26-23).
Deacons Hit The Road For The First Time In 2000, Play Clemson At Death Valley
Wake Forest, 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC following a 35-14 loss at home last Saturday to North Carolina, hits the road this Saturday to play nationally-ranked Clemson in Death Valley.
The Deacons led North Carolina 14-10 at halftime last Saturday, but surrendered 21 unanswered second-half points in the loss to the Tar Heels. Wake also led Appalachian State at the half (10-7) in the season opener before falling, 20-16.
Clemson, 2-0 overall, will play its first ACC game Saturday. In two games this season - both played at home - the Tigers have outscored opponents 100-9, including a 62-9 rout of visiting Missouri last Saturday. In the Jim Caldwell era at Wake Forest, the Deacons have played well in Death Valley. The Deacons beat the Tigers (29-19) in their last trip to Clemson in 1998. Wake also won on the road at Clemson in 1993 (20-16).
The Deacs, who went 2-1 against nationally-ranked teams in 1999, will face their first ranked opponent of the season at 16th-ranked Clemson.
A Quick Look At The Deacons
The 55 points that Wake Forest has allowed in two games this season is somewhat misleading. The Deacon defense has played well so far in 2000, especially for a unit returning just one starter from the previous season. Two of North Carolina's touchdowns last Saturday came with the Deacon defense on the sidelines. The Tar Heels scored one touchdown on a fumble return and another TD on a punt return.
Senior All-American candidate Bryan Ray had three tackles-for-loss, including one sack, against North Carolina. He also scored his first career touchdown when he recovered a fumble that he caused in the end zone. Junior tackle Nate Bolling also had three tackles-for-loss including one sack.
The Wake Forest offense was stymied last week by a tough North Carolina defense. The Deacons were limited to minus-two yards rushing and sophomore quarterback C.J. Leak was sacked eight times.
Leak, however, showed promise in just his second career start. He completed a career-best 14 passes (on 34 attempts) for a career-high 164 yards and no interceptions against the Tar Heels. He also recorded his first career rushing touchdown. Junior receiver Ira Williams caught a career-high six passes for 69 yards.
A Quick Look At The Tigers
Clemson has been spectacular on both sides of the ball in easy wins over The Citadel and Missouri.
Last week against Missouri, the Tigers forced six turnovers, which led to 27 points. On offense, Clemson scored 34 points during one 8:33 stretch in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Woodrow Dantzler, who completed 16-of-17 passes in the season opener, threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third in the win over Missouri. Receiver Rod Gardner caught four passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Travis Zachary ran for three touchdowns against Missouri. The Tiger offense is balanced. In last week's win Clemson ran 50 times for 206 yards and passed 15 times for 275 yards.
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 24-55.
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.
Wake Forest Vs. Nationally-Ranked Teams
Wake Forest will play its first nationally-ranked opponent of the season Saturday in 16th-ranked Clemson... the Deacons went 2-1 against ranked teams last season... WFU looks for its first win on the road against a ranked team since a 24-19 victory over No. 14 North Carolina on Oct. 13, 1979... Wake has never defeated a nationally-ranked Clemson team.
Youthful Defense Has Been Solid
The Wake Forest defense, with just one returning starter from a unit that ranked in the top 35 nationally in every statistical category last season, was the biggest question mark heading into this season. The Deac defense, however, has stood out so far in 2000.
In the season opener, the defense allowed 20 Appalachian State points. Not bad considering that the defense was on the field for nearly 38 minutes. Against North Carolina last week, the defense allowed just 21 of UNC's 35 points. Throw out two long Tar Heel runs of 60 and 46 yards and the defense held Carolina to just 88 yards rushing.
Senior All-American candidate Bryan Ray exploded for a big night against North Carolina (see below). Junior defensive tackle Nate Bolling has produced five sacks and 14 tackles in the early going. Bolling and junior safety Tehran Carpenter are tied for the team lead in total tackles with 14.
Wake Forest ranks third in the ACC in sacks (seven) and fourth in passing defense (214.5 ypg.). The Deacon defense has produced 18 tackles-for-loss.
Bryan Ray Moves Up Wake's Record Book
Senior All-American candidate Bryan Ray enjoyed perhaps his best night as a Deacon last Saturday against North Carolina. And he moved up the ladder in WFU's record books in the process.
Ray had three tackles-for-loss, including a sack, last Saturday against the Tar Heels. Ray also recorded his first career touchdown when he forced a fumble and then recovered it in the end zone.
Ray now ranks fourth in Wake Forest history with 14 career sacks. He is one sack shy of tying 1999 second round NFL draft pick Fred Robbins and James Parker for second place on that list. Ray also ranks seventh on Wake's career tackles-for-loss list with 29. He is one tackle-for-loss shy of tying Dred Booe for sixth place on that list.
Kicking Specialists Are Weapons For Wake
Sophomore punter Matt Brennie, after a shaky start in the season opener, was a bright spot in last Saturday's game against North Carolina. Brennie punted 11 times last week for an average of 46.5 yards per attempt. Five times this season he has booted punts of 50 yards or more. Brennie ranks 23rd nationally in punting.
Junior placekicker Tyler Ashe is a weapon on both field goals and kickoffs. Only three of Ashe's seven kickoffs this season have been returned. He connected on his only field goal attempt of the season - a 50-yarder - in the season opener.
Williams Leads Versatile Receivers Group
Junior wide receiver Ira Williams is coming off his finest game as a Deacon. Williams caught six passes for 69 yards - both career bests - last week against North Carolina.
For the season, Williams has nine catches for 105 yards. That's an average of 11.7 yards per catch and 52.5 yards per game. Williams has caught at least one pass in seven of his last eight games dating back to last season. He ranks seventh in the ACC in receptions.
Eight different Deacons have caught passes from quarterback C.J. Leak this season.
Statistical Tid-Bits
- With junior John Stone leading the way, Wake Forest leads the ACC in kickoff return average (26.2 yards per return).
- The Wake Forest defense has already registered seven sacks on the year, which ranks third in the ACC behind North Carolina (11) and Florida State (10).
- Wake Forest's two opponents have been called for just 11 penalties combined. That's the fewest penalties by the opponent in the ACC.
- Wake Forest and Clemson are two of three ACC teams (Duke is the other) that hasn't missed a field goal in 2000. All three teams are 1-of-1.
- The Deacons may prefer the run, but 16 of their 24 first downs have been the result of passing.
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 - moved into the starting lineup last week against North Carolina. That was Mellerson's first career start.
- There are just 11 seniors on the roster.
John 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. In the season opener against Appalachian State, Stone returned two kickoffs for 99 yards including an 88-yard TD return in the first quarter. Last week against North Carolina he returned five kickoffs for 116 yards (23.2 yards per return).
Stone has returned kickoffs for touchdowns twice in his career. Stone ranks second in the ACC and 10th nationally in kickoff returns (30.7 yards per return). He was named the ACC Specialist of the Week following his performance in the season opener.
Deacons Tailback-By-Committee May Expand This Week
Wake Forest has used three tailbacks in a rotation so far this season. Sophomores Tarence Williams and Jamie Scott and true freshman Fred Staton have combined for 42 of WFU's 73 rushing attempts.
A fourth tailback - senior Chris McCoy - could be added to that rotation this week. McCoy, a 5-7 speedster, is Wake's leading returning rusher from last season with 128 yards on 32 carries. Of course, now-graduated Morgan Kane was the workhorse last season, gaining more than 1,100 yards.
McCoy sat out Wake's first two games because of a violation of team rules.
This Date In WFU Football History
Wake Forest will be looking for its first victory on September 16th (Saturday's date) since 1939. The Deacons are 1-5 all-time on September 16th.
The last time the Deacons played on this date came against Clemson in 1995.
The Tigers beat Wake, 29-14 in Groves Stadium.
Other WFU games played on this date include 1989 (27-17 loss vs. NC State), 1978 (28-6 loss vs. Virginia Tech), 1972 (56-10 loss at SMU), 1967 (31-13 loss vs. Duke in Raleigh) and 1939 (34-0 win over Elon). Four Deacs Return To The Palmetto State
Four members of the Wake Forest football team will return to their home state this week when the Deacons play at Clemson: Ovie Mughelli (FB, Charleston), Fabian Davis (WR, Greenville), Anthony Young (QB, North Augusta) and Karl Pendergrass (DB, Spartanburg). Davis and Mughelli, if healthy, are expected to start.
A Look Back At Last Year's 12-3 Clemson Victory Over Wake Forest
Quarterback Brandon Streeter sparked Clemson to 10 points in the final quarter to help the Tigers earn a hard-fought 12-3 win over Wake Forest at Groves Stadium.
The game was a defensive struggle for three quarters as neither team found the endzone. The only score of the first half came on a Clemson safety in the second quarter when Deacon backup long snapper Jammie Deese hiked the ball over punter Matt Brennie's head and out of the endzone. The Deacon defense was outstanding, stopping the Tigers on fourth down three consecutive times in the first half and coming up with an interception (by cornerback Reggie Austin) on another drive.
Wake's offense got into the Clemson red zone twice in the third quarter but came away with just three points when Matt Burdick kicked his school-record 38th career field goal. Streeter came off the bench in the fourth quarter for Clemson and engineered a 70-yard scoring drive that ended in a field goal to give the Tigers a 5-3 edge. On the very next play, Dextra Polite intercepted Ben Sankey's pass to give Clemson the ball back, and Streeter piloted the Tigers 39 yards into the endzone, scoring on a 1-yard keeper. Wake's last chance to score was thwarted when Sankey was intercepted by Alex Ardley with 1:07 remaining.
The Deacs managed just 239 yards of offense while Clemson's no-huddle offense tallied 394 yards on 84 plays.
Miscellaneous Deacon Notes
- Wake Forest is now 47-49-3 in season openers following the loss to Appalachian State. The Deacs are 31-19-1 in season openers at home.
- 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.
- Wake Forest football will be represented at the Olympic Games. Former Deac receiver Steve Brown will run for Trinidad and Tobago in the high hurdles.
- Deacon true freshman quarterback Anthony Young (North Augusta, SC) has worked the last two springs during the Masters golf tournament in the Augusta National clubhouse. He has enjoyed the opportunity to meet several of the world's top golfers.
- Kevin Gamble, the biggest Deacon (6-7, 359), is a volunteer fireman.
More Than 30,000 Attend UNC Game
Through two home games in 2000, Wake Forest has attracted nearly 57,000 fans to 31,500-seat Groves Stadium.
A crowd of 30,087 (actual tickets sold and allocated) attended last Saturday's game against North Carolina, marking the largest Groves Stadium crowd since Sept. 9, 1989 when 30,200 saw the Deacons play Appalachian State.
Two Deacon Opponents In Top 25, Three Other Foes Receiving Votes
Two Wake Forest opponents are ranked in the top 25 of both major polls. Florida State (Nov. 11) is ranked No. 2 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls. Clemson (Saturday) is ranked 16th in the AP poll and 16th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Three other Deacon opponents - Georgia Tech (Oct. 14), Maryland (Oct. 21) and NC State (Nov. 25) - received votes for the ESPN/USA Today poll.
Wake Forest Injury Update
- Blake Henry (OL) - Out. Underwent knee surgery in late August and will not return until early October.
- James MacPherson (QB/P) - Out. Injured knee in spring drills and is expected back in October.
- Ovie Mughelli (FB) - Probable. Missed most of practice last week with a sprained knee.
Leak Has A Night Of Firsts In Second Start
Sophomore quarterback C.J. Leak looked a little more comfortable in his second career start last Saturday against North Carolina. Leak recorded his first career rushing touchdown. He also recorded career highs for pass completions (14), attempts (34) and passing yards (164) while staying away from interceptions.
Leak also recorded his first career reception when one of his passes was batted back down into his arms against North Carolina.
C.J. Leak: Not Your Ordinary QB
Sophomore quarterback C.J. Leak has been known to watch so much practice and game film that the coaches order him to back off. Walking through campus, you rarely find him without a football in his hand. When asked who his dream date would be, he said, "I only think about football and academics."
That's Leak, who has received a great deal of media and fan attention even though he has started just one college game. But that's understandable considering that Leak turned down offers from Notre Dame and Penn State and was one of the highest-touted high school quarterbacks in the land. Last year he played sparingly behind senior starter Ben Sankey. This year, he takes over the offense.
"By competitive nature, I wanted to play more last season," Leak said.
"But the coaches definitely made the right decision. Last year allowed me to come along slowly and learn many things."
A Few Changes On The Coaching Staff
New Deacon offensive coordinator Eddie Williamson is making his second stop at Wake Forest. Williamson, who served as offensive coordinator at Texas Southern last year, served as an assistant coach at Wake Forest in 1991 and 1992. The reigns to the Deacon offense are being turned over to Williamson from head coach Jim Caldwell, who directed the offense last season. Tony Pierce joins the staff as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Pierce and Theo Lemon, the assistant head coach, will serve as co-defensive coordinators in 2000.
John Klacik, who will serve as quarterbacks coach, is the final new face on the staff.
Jamie Barresi switches to coaching wide receivers this season after coaching the quarterbacks in 1999.
Coaching Staff A Veteran Group
The Deacon staff includes six members who previously served as a head coach on the college level.
In addition to Deacon coach Jim Caldwell, co-defensive coordinator Theo Lemon (interim head coach at Kentucky State in 1984), offensive coordinator Eddie Williamson (VMI, 1985-88), co-defensive coordinator Tony Pierce (Oberlin College, 1992-93), Mel Foels (Iowa Wesleyan (1967-72) and assistant athletic director for football operations Bill Faircloth (Catawba, 1973-75) all served as head coaches.
Deacons Name 2000 Captains
Senior defenders Nick Bender and Bryan Ray were selected co-captains and senior Mike Koch was named special teams captain earlier this season. Bender, who is expected to start at one linebacker position, completed his undergraduate studies in the spring and is now attending graduate school. Ray is an emotional leader for the Deacs. One of the most prolific pass-rushers in school history, Ray is an All-American candidate.
Koch (pronounced Cook) has been a valuable member of the special teams and a solid reserve for three years. He began his career as a quarterback before moving to linebacker and now works in the secondary.
Clabo Is Sixth True Freshman To See Action
Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo saw his first career action last Saturday against North Carolina, becoming the sixth true freshman to play this season. Five true freshmen saw action in the season opener: Fred Staton (RB, Charlotte), Quintin Williams (CB, Goldsboro), Marcus Nesbitt (LB, Clinton, Md.), Kellen Brantley (LB, Miami, Fla.) and Mark Moroz (TE, Welland, Ontario).
The Caldwells Keep It All In The Family
Junior wide receiver Jimmy Caldwell is a big fan of the Wake Forest head football coach. After all, Jim Caldwell is Jimmy's father. "Coaching Jimmy has been nothing but a positive experience for me," the eighth-year Deacon head coach said.
Christmas Day, 1999 was a special time for the Caldwell family. Jimmy caught a key touchdown pass that secured a win over Arizona State, helping his dad earn his first ever bowl victory as a head coach. Jimmy is one of four Caldwell children. Jermaine enters his sophomore year at the University of North Carolina, Jared is a senior at Mount Tabor High School and Natalie begins her sophomore year at Mount Tabor this fall.
