Florida State Game Preview
11/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2009
Video: Game Preview With Jim Grobe
Game Notes: Wake Forest 
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Television Coverage: ESPNU
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In-Game Updates: Live Gameay Blog |
By Alex Botoman, WakeForestSports.com
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - In the last game at BB&T Field for the 2009 Demon Deacon senior class, Wake Forest will take on Florida State on Saturday for its Senior Day. With a win, the Deacons' incoming class of 2005 would establish themselves as the winningest class in Wake Forest history with 33 wins.
The game takes on added importance because of its possible postseason implications for both teams. Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4 ACC) must win its final two games in order to become eligible to make its fourth consecutive bowl game. Florida State (4-5, 2-4) must win two of its final three games or the Seminoles will miss a bowl for the first time in 28 years. With a matchup at No. 1-ranked Florida looming they will no doubt be looking for a win over the Deacons.
"Our backs kept getting put closer and closer against the wall, and they're literally touching the wall now," senior quarterback Riley Skinner said. "There are two games left and we have a chance to go to a fourth-straight bowl game. As much bad that we have had this season, there still is some good to come. We're taking that mindset to the field."
The game is a matchup rich in storylines. The Deacons are attempting to defeat Florida State in four consecutive years. Prior to their 30-0 road victory in 2006, the Deacons had lost 14 straight to the Seminoles.
When seniors Jeff Griffin, Boo Robinson and Dominique Midgett take the field on Saturday for the 51st time in their careers, they will tie the school record for most games played, which was set last year by Stanley Arnoux, Aaron Curry, Alphonso Smith and Chip Vaughn. The senior trio will have a chance to seize sole possession of the record in the regular season finale at Duke on Nov. 28.
"I got lucky. I didn't really have any major injuries and obviously am fortunate enough that the coaches believed in me enough to play me as a redshirt freshman," Griffin said. "It's humbling that it's almost over, but it's been a fun ride. Lucky enough we've been to a few bowl games and the ACC Championship Game. I've been fortunate that I've been able to play this many games without getting hurt or benched."
Wake Forest will enter the game after falling just short of defeating their first top-10 team in over 50 years, losing 30-27 in overtime at No. 10 Georgia Tech last weekend. The Deacon defense was able to make key stops against the high-powered Yellow Jacket triple option for most of the game, but the Jackets converted on fourth down in overtime and scored on the next play for the victory.
Already the school leader for career completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes, Skinner's 20 touchdown passes this season leave him one short of Jay Venuto's school record of 21 set in 1980. Skinner is also 215 yards shy of breaking the season record for passing yards which is held by Rusty LaRue who threw for 2,775 yards in 1995.
Though the Seminoles rank last in the conference in total defense, they still boast some playmakers and that trademark speed. Linebacker Dakota Watson has 4.5 sacks on the year, as well as 8.5 tackles for a loss.
"Looking at the film you notice how fast they are immediately," center Russell Nenon said. "They're going to want to fight hard for (retiring defensive coordinator) Mickey Andrews' last couple of games so our offense has to execute every single play to have a chance against a team like that. They've always had an insane amount of talent and speed."
Florida State's 40-24 defeat at the hands of Clemson last weekend was especially costly as they lost All-ACC quarterback candidate Christian Ponder for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury. Highly-touted redshirt freshman E.J. Manuel will take Ponder's place behind center and make his first career start.
"This is a really talented guy, we know that he's got great skills, the ability to run and throw," Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe said regarding Manuel. "He was personally recruited by Jimbo Fisher. I'm sure all the things they're doing with Christian Ponder, they feel like they can do with Manuel."
It will be a bittersweet moment for Wake Forest's 22 seniors as they play within the friendly confines of BB&T Field for the final time. Each senior will be honored on the field before the game.
"You want to say it's just going to be another week of football, but it's my last home game at BB&T Field," Skinner said. "I've had so much fun playing here. I owe a lot of thanks to a lot of people around Wake Forest and the community that have supported us. It's going to be an emotional game for our seniors. We've had a pretty big senior class with not many transfers and we've all stayed together for the most part. It's going to be pretty neat to take the field with them Saturday for the last time at home.
"Playing Florida State in your last home game, having a chance to beat them four years in a row, with a chance to become the winningest class, having a chance to go to a bowl game, there's a lot going on this week that's really motivating. I'm really looking forward to it and our fans shouldn't give up on us yet because there's still hope for the season. We're going to need our crowd Saturday to help us beat Florida State."
Kickoff is set for noon at BB&T Field. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU and can be heard on the Wake Forest ISP Sports Radio Network.
