Wake Forest Athletics
Deacons Feel Rested, Ready for Maryland
10/18/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2013
By Emma Lingan, WakeForestSports.com
The Demon Deacons saw their fair share of challenges in September, but they rallied in a big way and capped off the first half of their season with a decisive 28-13 victory over NC State on Oct. 5. Now, with a 3-3 record and a conference win under their belts, the Deacs feel increasingly optimistic about the second half of the season.
"Not only because it was before a bye week, but we just really needed a win in the worst way," said head coach Jim Grobe. "That's going to be our situation the rest of the year. We're playing a lot of good teams. There's not a bad team left on the schedule. We'll have to play really, really good any weekend to win a football game here on out. Hopefully we'll stay healthy. I felt like at practice yesterday, our guys had a little bounce to them. I think they're excited to get into the last half of the schedule."
The win over NC State was followed by a bye week, which fell exactly halfway through the Deacons' season. Coaches and players agree that this timing could not have been better.
"Usually a bye week -- especially if it's toward the middle of the year -- is good, especially if you're coming off a win," said Grobe. "It's not good to come off a bye week when you've lost a football game so that was good. Then it comes at the right time. We've had some bye weeks that have come too early or too late in the year. I think this one came at a right time."
Senior flanker Michael Campanaro, who hauled in 12 passes against the Wolfpack, agreed that the bye week was a much-needed break in the action.
"It was big for us getting the win going into the bye week," Campanaro said. "It is very positive around the program, and we have some momentum going into our bye week. It was good getting some time off and getting refreshed for the back end of our season."
Although the Deacons didn't have a game last weekend, they did not spend their time idly. The extra week was an opportunity to rest and recharge in preparation for the second half of the season, beginning with another conference matchup against Maryland this week.
"I think we got to accomplish a lot," said junior cornerback Kevin Johnson. "Most importantly, I think everybody on the team got some rest on their body. Everybody has fresh legs, hopefully, going into the game and we got to prepare for Maryland a little bit more. We're all just excited with the momentum from the win against NC State, hopefully we can build upon that."
The Demon Deacons will host Maryland on Saturday at BB&T Field. AT 5-1 on the season, the Terrapins are a formidable opponent, but the Deacs feel confident that they know what to expect.
"They have talent on the offense at quarterback and receiver," Johnson said of the Terps. "They're a great team and they have a great record. Hopefully we can do what we have to do - play fast. Our coaches are going to put us in positions to make plays, and hopefully we can make those plays. They have multiple offenses - their quarterback can run, they have some dynamic receivers. They can do a little bit of everything."
As the Deacs prepare to face off against the Terps in front of a Homecoming crowd this weekend, they hope to do so with the same energy and electricity that they felt during the game against NC State.
"I think our guys just have to stay focused and realize that our energy level has to be high to beat anybody," Grobe said. "That was the best energy level we've had in four quarters...I felt really good about our team heading out of the locker room at halftime. That's the way we've got to be. If we're not a four quarter football team then we can't beat anyone on our schedule."
With rested bodies and their dominant performance against the Wolfpack still fresh in their minds, the Deacons approach this week's game with even more vitality and determination.
"We have to come in and play a good game," Campanaro said. "We think we'll be where we want to be in the fourth quarter."
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU. It can also be heard on the Wake Forest IMG Sports Network and online at WakeForestSports.com.
