Presbyterian Game Preview
9/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 2, 2010
Video: Game Preview With Jim Grobe 
Game Notes: Wake Forest 
| Presbyterian
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By Steven Johns, WakeForestSports.com
Wake Forest ended last season at a disappointing 5-7, leaving the team out of the postseason for the first time in three years.
Presbyterian finished last season winless at 0-11. This season also marks Presbyterian's fourth season at the FCS level.
This matchup will mark the first meeting between these two teams since 1945. Wake Forest leads the overall series 5-4-1.
The biggest change to the Wake Forest team that will be put to the test against Presbyterian comes at the offensive helm. Replacing the school's most prolific quarterback, Riley Skinner, is redshirt sophomore Ted Stachitas.
"We decided early on that we didn't want to make it about one scrimmage or one practice. We wanted to have a body of work for every quarterback. Tom Elrod charted everything our guys have done, and Ted came out on top. Ted will start the game, but he has to play well. He has earned that right since he had the best month of practice out of all the quarterbacks," said head coach Jim Grobe.
With a strong supporting cast, however, Stachitas is confident in himself and the team.
"I know (my teammates) can pick me up when I'm not playing well, they can help me out. They know what they're doing. They've had game experience. I mean, it's just great support around me: from the o-line, to the receivers and the running backs. I feel really confident out there with these guys," said Stachitas.
Surrounding Stachitas against Presbyterian and the rest of the Demon Deacon foes is a veteran crew lead by redshirt senior running back Josh Adams.
"We just have to let (Stachitas) know that you're the quarterback and it's your job to really lead this offense and we're going to be behind you 100 percent. We're going to do the best in our power to pick up every block for you so you don't get hit," said Adams.
Adams not only has confidence in his new quarterback, but is also confident in the rest of the team.
"I just think the team chemistry, in general, is a lot stronger than it was last year," said Adams. "Guys are actually believing in one another and believing in the guy beside them and just trusting in our system and thinking that we have a chance to come out each week and have a chance of winning."
The offense is not the only unit that has gained experience and confidence in the offseason. The defense also enters the season with a high hopes.
Redshirt senior linebacker Matt Woodlief said that this defensive unit is ready to get out on the field and hit some people. According to Woodlief the defense has been making plays and has been stifling the scout team in preparation for Presbyterian.
The most pleasing aspect of the defense, according to Woodlief, has been its focus on creating takeaways.
"That's what made us win a lot of games, creating turnovers," said Woodlief. "Last year we didn't create a lot, we only had about 15. We lost those five close games; if we created those turnovers in those five close games who knows where we would've gone last year. But this year that's been our motto through camp and leading up to this game Thursday, get the ball out."
While both the offense and defense are brimming with confidence, Wake Forest is not taking its opponent lightly.
"As we saw before, Michigan got beat by Appalachian State. So we're definitely not overlooking our opponent. We understand that they put the helmets on and their shoes on just as we do. So we have to come out prepared," said Adams.
Adams said that the offense has been improving on picking up its blocks, which will help the team against Presbyterian's blitz-heavy offense.
"(Presbyterian was) young last year and brought a lot of those guys back. They will use a lot of four wide formations, and they like to throw the football a lot," said Grobe. "Defensively, they'll come and pressure you pretty good. One thing they do a nice job of is they are very aggressive in their special teams play."
Grobe, however, feels his team is physically ready for any opponent. According to Grobe, the mental strength of the team will be determined once the Demon Deacons take the field Thursday.
