Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Focus on Running Game in Full-Pad Practice
4/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 10, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football team practiced in full pads for one hour and 45 minutes Thursday at the Doc Martin Practice Complex in the final practice of the week before Saturday's scrimmage.
The running game was a focal point of the session as tailbacks Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass took a majority of the rushes. Fullback Mike Rinfrette had a fair share of carries as well.
"I think we have to (work on the running game)," Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe said. "Riley (Skinner) and Brett (Hodges) are doing a nice job throwing the football. We're doing an OK job protecting those guys. The thing we need to work the most on right now is the running game. If we could get to where we have a little bit of consistency (running) against our defense, then I think we can go into the season feeling like we can run and throw the football."
Grobe is looking for his players to "do what they're supposed to do" in Saturday's scrimmage at 10:30 a.m. at BB&T Field.
"We need to not make as many mistakes, that's the biggest thing right now," Grobe said. "We're making so many mental mistakes. It's partly because we've got so much in place on offense and defense. Some of the young guys right now are still clueless. We're looking for improvement."
Special teams was a point of emphasis Thursday with punt blocking, kickoff coverage and field goal teams all running through simulated situations.
"We're doing it all now. When we came into spring practice we thought we would work primarily on the punt game," Grobe said. "We've got all the kicking game going right now and we'll work on it everyday through the spring."
Mistakes led to discipline being handed down by coaches Thursday as members of the defense could be seen doing up-downs halfway through practice.
"We had to get on them a little bit today, only from the standpoint of that it was our third straight day of practice," Grobe said. "Tuesday was a real physical practice. Wednesday, even though we were only in shells, ended up being a pretty physical practice. It was a little bit of a gut check today. Our guys had to reach down."
Saturday's scrimmage at BB&T Field is open to the public.
