Duke Game Preview
11/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 27, 2009
Video: Game Preview With Jim Grobe
Game Notes: Wake Forest 
| Duke
Television Coverage: Raycom Affiliates
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By Alex Botoman, WakeForestSports.com
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest will conclude its season on Saturday when the Demon Deacons travel to Durham to take on rival Duke. It will be the final game for the senior class of 2009, and with a win they would become the winningest class in Wake Forest history.
The Deacons (4-7, 2-5 ACC) have defeated the Blue Devils (5-6, 3-4) in nine consecutive years, but the games have been far from lopsided. Each of the last three meetings between the in-state rivals has been decided by less than a touchdown including Wake's 33-30 overtime win last year in Winston-Salem where Alphonso Smith intercepted Thaddeus Lewis in the end zone to seal the victory.
"It's an in-state game, and we take those games very seriously. Everyone hears Duke and people from the outside think that you should win that game no doubt, but everybody on our team knows that that's not the case," said quarterback Riley Skinner. "We know what they bring to the table and what kind of talent they have. We have to be ready because we've put ourselves in some close positions and luckily got out of them the past couple years, and we don't want to put ourselves in that position again."
The game will feature a matchup of two of the best quarterbacks in the ACC in four-year starters Skinner and Lewis. Lewis and Skinner rank first and second, respectively, among active ACC players in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and total offensive yards.
Lewis ranks third all-time in the ACC for passing yards while Skinner ranks seventh. Skinner and Lewis both have thrown for 2,000 yards in each of their four seasons - a mark only accomplished before in the ACC by Philip Rivers.
Skinner and Lewis each made their first career start against each other when Wake defeated Duke in September of 2006. It is only fitting that they now end their long careers with one final head-to-head matchup.
"It's neat because (Duke in 2006) was my first start and I think it was Thaddeus Lewis' first start. He's had an unbelievable career with what he's been doing over there," said Skinner. "Sometimes their seasons haven't gone as well as they may have wanted, but I know that he has personally done a lot for that program. I respect him a lot and to end our careers together is going to be pretty neat."
While Lewis is a prolific passer, he is also dangerous with his feet, although his ability to scramble has been hampered of late by an injury. The Deacon's defensive line will be tasked with getting pressure on Lewis as well as containing him when he runs, and they are well aware of the challenge ahead of them.
"He's probably the toughest quarterback in the conference. The kid knows how to take everything in stride," said defensive lineman John Russell. "I've always admired guys on teams that maybe weren't getting as many wins as they would like to, but you look over and see a guy like Thaddeus Lewis who not only comes with a leadership role and great poise but also plays great football every game regardless of the circumstances. That's one thing that makes him dangerous; he's just a pure competitor."
The Demon Deacons counter with a prolific offense of their own averaging 395 yards per game. Freshman receiver Chris Givens has been a pleasant surprise, as he is currently tied for first among freshmen nationwide with seven touchdown catches. Givens' 40 receptions for 551 receiving yards are both school records for redshirt freshmen.
As always, the ability to win the turnover battle could be critical in determining the winner of the game. The Demon Deacons were among the national leaders in turnover margin in 2007 and 2008, but this year they have recorded only 14 takeaways while giving up 19 turnovers. Wake Forest is 21-5 when Skinner does not throw an interception and just 9-13 when he does.
"(Turnovers are) one of the reasons we haven't been winning close games and closing out on the road," said Russell. "It's simple football. As Coach Grobe always says, `protect the football and find a way to take it away on defense.' If we're going to finish on a high note and cut that trend off this week then that's one of the things we're going to have to do."
Wake Forest does have the luxury of coming off of their first bye week of the season. Last season the Deacons went 5-0 in games that they had more than one week to prepare for but have only had that opportunity once this season, losing to Baylor in the season opener.
"You get six extra days to spend some time in the film room and look at Duke because a lot of times they're a team that takes more than a week to prepare for in terms of their defense," Skinner said. "We were able to get a head start on them and put more in our game plan and treat it almost like a bowl week. When you have that much more time you get more comfortable with what you're doing and you're able to put a little bit more in your offensive game plan."
A win against the Blue Devils would be the 33rd for Wake Forest's senior class of 2009 - a new school record. The class' 32 wins are currently tied for the school high with last year's graduating class.
"It's a pretty significant record to have considering it takes four years to set that," Skinner said. "A lot of people can have success for one or two years and then be off, but continuing to win ball games and be a part of that is pretty special."
Offensive guard Jeff Griffin, linebacker Dominique Midgett, and defensive tackle Boo Robinson have the opportunity to set an ironman record of their own on Saturday. When they take the field for the 52nd time in their careers they will eclipse the school record of 51 games played set last year by Stanley Arnoux, Aaron Curry, Alphonso Smith and Chip Vaughn.
After a disappointing Senior Day loss to Florida State, there is no doubt that Wake Forest will be looking to end their season on a high note against the Blue Devils.
"Time and time again you get asked about the disappointments of the season and really it is and it isn't," Russell said. "It's one of those bittersweet moments where you look back at all the good times that you've had and that really overshadows some of the disappointments of this year. It will kind of soften the blow of this final season if we can come over to Durham and come out with a win against a really good Duke team."
Kickoff is set for noon at Wallace Wade Stadium. The game will be televised by Raycom and can also be heard on the Wake Forest ISP Sports Radio Network.
