Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Scrimmage at Groves Stadium
8/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 17, 2002
Wake Forest Football
- Preseason Practice Report
- Saturday, August 17, 2002
Saturday's Session: The Demon Deacon football squad got a change in scenery as the team worked out at Groves Stadium during the morning session. The first 30 minutes of the morning session were devoted to the kicking game, as the team worked on punt and field goal situations. That was followed by a scrimmage which lasted slightly more than an hour. Standouts on the first team offense included senior tight end Ray Thomas who made two touchdown catches plus a diving reception along the sideline.
Around midday, the team held its annual Family Fan Fest. Hundreds of fans of all ages were in attendance to get autographs and have pictures taken with their favorite players.
The Deacons were under the lights on campus from 7:15-9:15 p.m. The squad avoided severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours during the late afternoon and during the evening session, the team merely endured intermittent rain showers. While onlookers opened up their umbrellas, the Deacons worked in shells.
Quoting Head Coach Jim Grobe: "We were a little better at the running back position today, our receivers made some nice catches and our quarterbacks threw the ball fairly well. I think we're still in a mode where we're making too many mistakes, especially little mental mistakes. That's on both sides of the ball. We've just got to sharpen our game. We're not doing the things we need to do to win. We're giving great effort and we're in pretty good (physical) shape right now but we're just making too many mental mistakes. I don't know whether we're ahead or behind right now, but I know we've got some work to do before we play our first game.
On the kicking game: "I'm still not pleased with our kicking right now. I think our punting game might be okay but we're not as consistent as we need to be. Kicking-wise, we've got a ways to go. It's something we've got to continue to work on.
On the team's progress: "We didn't make as many mistakes we did in last Wednesday's scrimmage. Last Wednesday, not only did we make a lot of mistakes, but we didn't seem to be moving around very well. Today we moved around a bit better but continued to make mental mistakes but not as many."
Upcoming Practice Schedule: The team will have Sunday off before resuming the regular schedule of two-a-days on Monday. Just three two-a-days remain on the docket before the team changes in "Game Week" mode on Thursday, August 22 in preparation for the season opener on Thursday, August 29.
On the Web: Visit www.WakeForestSports.com for the latest information on the Deacon football team. In addition to all press releases and practice reports, senior offensive guard Blake Henry continues his preseason diary.
