Game Program Feature: A Decade of Jim Grobe
11/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 30, 2010
This article was originally published in the Nov. 20 edition of Kickoff, the official gameday magazine of Wake Forest football.
By Evan Lepler
On Dec. 11, 2000, Athletic Director Ron Wellman announced his decision to bring the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats to Winston-Salem. The relatively unknown 49-year-old football coach inherited a 2-9 squad and a program that, historically, had resided in the doldrums of the ACC.
Never before had the University won more than eight games in a season, and the Demon Deacons had mustered just one winning campaign in the previous eight under Jim Caldwell. At the turn of the century, expectations for great gridiron successes were nothing but ambitious dreams that remained far from reality.
Nearly one decade later, Wake Forest football lives in a different stratosphere of the pigskin universe. While none will mistake the Deacons as a national juggernaut, Jim Grobe's leadership has vaulted Wake Forest into the yearly conversation of contention and relevance, complete with a gaudy resume of accomplishments.
The magical championship run of 2006 shines brightest, accompanied by countless other still-flickering memories of Wake Forest's unprecedented 10-year stretch.
As Grobe's 10th season at Wake Forest winds down, here are the top 20 Deacon victories under Grobe, ranked in reverse order in terms of significance and excitement.
20) Trouncing the Tigers
Wake Forest 45, Clemson 17 (Nov. 1, 2003)
Chris Barclay scored twice, the defense scored twice, and the Deacons led 45-0 before the visiting Tigers kicked a garbage-time field goal in the fourth quarter to break up the shutout on Parents' Weekend. Eric King's 85-yard pick-six made it 21-0 early in the second quarter, and Wake Forest bruised Clemson on the ground all day long, outrushing them 321-64. The victory also marked the most points Wake had ever scored against Clemson, coming in Grobe's first-ever taming of the Tigers.
19) Stealing One in Big 10 Country
Wake Forest 24, Purdue 21 (Sept. 21, 2002)
A pounding rush and multiple defensive eruptions--both familiar refrains for Grobe-coached teams--surged the Deacons to a three-point triumph in West Lafayette, Ind., which to this day is Wake Forest's only Big 10 road victory in school history. Future NFL quarterback Kyle Orton threw for 331 yards, but Wake's opportunistic defense created five Boilermaker turnovers to knock off a Purdue squad that would go on to win the Sun Bowl. Chris Barclay scored all three Deacon touchdowns, and Purdue's kicker, Berin Lacevic, missed three fourth-quarter field-goal attempts.
18) Winning Ugly for Grobe's 50th
Wake Forest, 12 Clemson 7 (Oct. 9, 2008)
While ESPN was not eager to re-air this Thursday-nighter as an "Instant Classic," D.J. Boldin's first career TD catch with 5:28 remaining propelled Wake, buoyed by its defense, to another satisfying victory over Clemson. The stingy Deacon D held the Tigers backfield that included C.J. Spiller and James Davis to just 21 net yards rushing, and Wake overcame a 7-3 deficit with nine fourth-quarter points. Wake Forest moved to 2-0 in the ACC for the first time in 21 years, and Grobe picked up his 50th victory as coach of the Deacs.
17) Shutout City
Wake Forest 31 North Carolina 0 (Oct. 26, 2002)
This pre-Halloween demolition of the Tar Heels may have spooked the rest of the ACC into realizing that the Deacons were on the rise. Wake's most lopsided triumph over North Carolina in 51 years featured four different touchdown-scorers and pushed the Deacs to 5-4 on the season. Meanwhile, the hapless Tar Heels fell to 2-6, 0-4 in the ACC. According to the AP recap, North Carolina's effort was "almost comical," particularly when "defensive linemen Tony Pigford and Darryl Grant tripped over each other and fell down as they were switching places on the line in the third quarter."
16) Defensive Dominance
Wake Forest 12, Florida State 3 (Sept. 20, 2008)
Two top-25 teams held each other out of the endzones for 60 minutes, but four Sam Swank field goals were more than enough offense for the ball-hawking Deacon playmakers who forced seven turnovers. Alphonso Smith picked off Christian Ponder on the Seminoles first offensive play, triggering a miserable day for the Florida State offense. Aaron Curry led the way with eight tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery, while Kevin Patterson recorded two picks, forced a fumble and was credited with six tackles. Thanks to Riley Skinner's economical passing performance of 17-of-29 for 217 yards, Wake won its third straight over FSU.
15) Sinking the Mids in D.C.
Wake Forest 29, Navy 19 (Dec. 20, 2008)
Wake Forest won the inaugural EagleBank Bowl and tasted sweet revenge by downing the same Navy team that upset the 3-0 Deacs early in the season. Skinner earned MVP honors for his near-perfect performance, completing all 11 of his throws for 166 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. On the ground, Kevin Harris powered for 136 of Wake's 239 rushing yards, as the Deacs managed to overcome a 13-0 deficit to finish their season at 8-5.
14) Rushing the Field vs. NC State
Wake Forest 38, NC State 24 (Sept. 6, 2003)
After a miracle week one comeback against BC, the Deacons shocked the 14th-ranked team in the nation to improve to 2-0 and ignite a raucous celebration in Winston-Salem. Freshman receiver/returner Willie "The Jet" Idlette sent the already giddy crowd into a frenzy by catching a punt at midfield and dashing 50 yards for a score, creating a 28-3 second-quarter lead for Wake Forest. Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers aired it out the rest of the way, compiling a career-high 433 yards, but the Deacons held off their Tobacco Road rivals and fans stormed the field in exultation.
13) Bolting Through Oxford
Wake Forest 27, Ole Miss 3 (Sept. 23, 2006)
Although lightning delays may have detracted from the SEC atmosphere, the most powerful bolts of the night were offered by Wake's cadre of capable running backs. Even with Micah Andrews banged up, the Deacs kept it on the ground for 53 of their 58 plays. De'Angelo Bryant led the squad with 105 yards and a touchdown, while Kevin Harris and Mike Rinfrette each added scores of their own. While Wake's offense sludged its way through the sloppy conditions, Ole Miss managed only 26 yards on the ground as the Deacs beat an SEC team for the first time since 1992 and improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1987.
12) Triumph Over The Tar Heels
Wake Forest 32, North Carolina 31 (Nov. 10, 2001)
In one of the most improbable turnarounds in ACC history, the Deacons somehow fell behind 24-0 at the half and trailed 31-14 after three quarters, yet still managed to snatch a remarkable victory over the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. A tribute to the resilience of Grobe's players, the Deacons led for the first time when James McPherson's 1-yard QB-keeper broke the plane of the endzone with just 1:17 remaining. The Carolina heart-stopper epitomized the 2001 season, as Wake Forest saw nine of its 11 games decided by seven points or fewer.
11) The Great Escape
Wake Forest 14, Duke 13 (Sept. 9, 2006)
Riley Skinner's first collegiate start is remembered with deep sighs of relief, for the Deacons needed a miraculous blocked field goal on the game's final play to wriggle their way out of defeat. Sophomore safety Chip Vaughn, who was only on the field because of an injury to senior Josh Gattis, leaped with full extension to knock down Joe Surgan's 27-yard try as the game-clock expired. Not to be overlooked was Skinner leading the Deacs on a seven-play, 63-yard drive that led to the go-ahead Micah Andrews touchdown run with 1:28 left. Wake Forest was out-gained, out-possessed, and frankly, outplayed most of the afternoon, but somehow emerged from the struggle with an unblemished 2-0 record.
10) Swank Sinks Ole Miss
Wake Forest 30, Ole Miss 28 (Sept. 6, 2008)
In what has to be considered one of the more entertaining ballgames ever waged in Winston, a 41-yarder from Sam Swank with three seconds remaining lifted the 20th-ranked Deacons to a nailbiting two-point triumph. Riley Skinner went 32-for-43 for 267 yards and two scores to match the prolific performance of Rebels QB Jevan Snead, who threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns in the losing effort. Ole Miss took a 28-27 lead with 1:01 remaining, but the Deacs marched 57 yards in 58 seconds to position Swank for the clutch kick that moved Wake Forest to 2-0 on the young season.
9) Time to Dream a Little Bit
Wake Forest 21, Boston College 14 (Nov. 4, 2006)
A pair of ranked teams squared off in Winston for the first time since 1979, and when Patrick Ghee's interception in the end zone sealed it in the final minutes, the 8-1 Demon Deacons celebrated amidst a gleeful fan base that began to believe in the 2006 magic. In his postgame press conference, Grobe admitted to the larger-than-normal media gathering that "It's time to dream a little bit." Boston College QB Matt Ryan tossed for 402 yards, but the Deacs mustered two picks in the red zone and Kevin Marion's 81-yard touchdown run in the third quarter made it 21-7.
8) The Ultimate Turnaround
Wake Forest 31, Maryland 24 (OT) (Sept. 22, 2007)
Staring a 1-3 start to the post-Orange Bowl season squarely in the face, junior Alphonso Smith sparked a historic 21-point comeback to stun a Maryland team that appeared to have an ACC road win in the bag. Late in the third quarter, with the Terps on top 24-3 and on the verge of a devastating knockout punch, Smith delivered an electric 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Skinner's one-yard sneak made it 24-17 with 7:55 left, and the Deacons tied it up when Joe Tereshinski squeezed a soft, six-yard spiral with only three ticks remaining. After Josh Adams' overtime touchdown, back-to-back sacks from the rejuvenated defense clinched the unbelievable victory.
7) Grobe's First Wake Forest Win
Wake Forest 21, East Carolina 19 (Sept. 1, 2001)
Day one of the Grobe era began with optimism and ended with a jubilant affirmation. The symbolism of Wake Forest, a two-win team the previous year, holding Pirate QB David Garrard out of the endzone on the pivotal two-point try, served as an inspirational start to Grobe's decade with the Deacons. Tarence Williams accumulated 162 yards and one touchdown to help the Deacs sneak out of Greenville with a slim victory over a team that had won a bowl game in 2000. Wake Forest, just 1-2 against East Carolina before Grobe arrived, is a perfect 5-0 vs. the Pirates under the current regime.
6) Crunching Connecticut
Wake Forest 24, Connecticut 10 (Dec. 29, 2007)
Down 10-0 after a miserable first half, the Deacons submitted a satisfying effort that embodied their relentless spirit, overcoming adversity by scoring 24 unanswered points to win the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte. After the victory, Grobe said, "You know, 20 wins in two years for little `ol Wake Forest isn't too bad." Kenny Moore earned MVP honors by hauling in 11 catches for 112 yards, while Josh Adams and Micah Andrews each found the endzone in the second half to boost the Deacons to a 9-4 record in 2008, despite starting 0-2. UConn's only touchdown came on a first-half punt return, and the Wake Forest defense permitted only nine first downs for the Huskies in 60 minutes. Moore also set the ACC reception record (98 catches), breaking Torry Holt's mark of 88, set in 1998.
5) Seattle Success
Wake Forest 38, Oregon 17 (Dec. 30, 2002)
James MacPherson uncharacteristically aired it out, connecting with Jason Anderson for touchdown passes of 57 and 63 yards as the Deacons won their first postseason game under Grobe and finished with an above .500 record (7-6) for the second straight season. Anderson caught three balls for 157 yards, while MacPherson's nine completions totaled 241 to complement Wake's 256 yards chomped up on the ground. The Ducks had gone 11-1 with a Fiesta Bowl victory in 2001, but the 2002 Seattle Bowl belonged to the Deacs, who dominated nearly every statistical category. After the glorious conclusion, MacPherson said, "I couldn't ask for a better game to finish my career here at Wake Forest."
4) Chopping Down the Noles on Thursday
Wake Forest 24, Florida State 21 (Oct. 11, 2007)
With the national football landscape zeroed in on Winston-Salem, the Deacons proved that their 2006 rout in Tallahassee was no fluke, making enough plays to dispatch a feisty Seminole squad that was determined for payback. Josh Adams, then just a redshirt freshman, carried 18 times for 140 yards, with 83 of them coming on a super sprint to the endzone in the second quarter. Tied at 14 with 15 minutes left, Skinner orchestrated a nine-play, 82-yard fourth-quarter march, capped by a 35-yard strike to Moore that surged the Deacons ahead. Swank drilled a crucial 48-yard kick with only 1:40 remaining, rendering FSU's garbage-time touchdown meaningless. For the first time in school history, the Deacons had won consecutive games over the Seminoles, and the entire country saw it happen.
3) Doak Demolition
Wake Forest 30, Florida State 0 (Nov. 11, 2006)
The score--thirty-to-nothing--is still surreal more than four years later. Not only did Wake Forest win in Tallahassee for the first time since 1959, but the Deacons humiliated the Seminoles, shutting out FSU at home for the first time in Bobby Bowden's 31 seasons on the sideline. The victory gave the 18th-ranked Deacs their ninth win, eclipsing the previous school record of eight. Kevin Patterson's pick-six in the late stages of the third-quarter dispersed the majority of the Tallahassee crowd on a drizzly Florida night, but Wake fans did not seem to mind the wet conditions. For the second straight week, the Deacons had authored a remarkable primetime victory and gained momentum for the anticipated weeks ahead.
2) Atlantic Division Dynamo
Wake Forest 38, Maryland 24 (Nov. 25, 2006)
For too long, Wake Forest's post-Thanksgiving Saturday had served as nothing more than a dull denouement to a forgettable season. In 2006, the thrilling fall climaxed with a division-clinching conquest of Maryland in College Park. The Terps possessed their own title visions at the game's outset, but the Deacons played like a team of destiny in earning a trip to Jacksonville. Kenny Moore led the orbit-rushing attack that gained 296 yards, and Wake possessed the football for over 35 minutes, including all but 9:17 of the second half. "It feels really good," said Grobe. "These guys have exceeded my expectations. They've done some pretty good stuff." The best was yet to come.
1) Crowning Champions
Wake Forest 9, Georgia Tech 6 (Dec. 2, 2006)
The Deacons did not summarily dismantle the Yellow Jackets like they had the Seminoles, nor could they find the end zone successively to replicate their 38-point eruption against the Terrapins. But did any Wake Forest player or fan care? Not one bit. Three field goals from Sam Swank and a mighty defensive effort that included 15 tackles from Jon Abbate elevated the Demon Deacons to the pinnacle of the ACC for the first time since 1970. Riley Skinner shined with mistake-free ball in his hometown, tossing for 201 precious yards. His 39-yard completion to Joe Tereshinski set up Swank's second kick that tied the game at six with 8:27 remaining. And his 45-yard toss to Willie Idlette positioned the game-winning 22-yard boot with less than three minutes left. When Idlette scurried end-around for 19 yards and the clinching first-down, Deacons everywhere experienced euphoria. In the aftermath of being crowned ACC Champions, oranges never tasted so good.
Five More Memories
21) Alphonso's Overtime Pick - Wake Forest 33, Duke 30 (OT) (Nov. 1, 2008)
22) Success in Charlottesville - Wake Forest, 34 Virginia 30 (Nov. 3, 2001)
23) Cardinal Comeback - Wake Forest 24, Stanford 17 (Sept. 12, 2009)
24)Baylor Beatdown - Wake Forest 41, Baylor 13 (Aug. 28, 2008)
25) Ascending Atlanta - Wake Forest 24, Georgia Tech 21 (Oct. 5, 2002)
