Wake Forest Football Holds Second Scrimmage

8/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football

August 20, 2016

By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson led the Demon Deacons through their final scrimmage of preseason camp at BB&T Field on Saturday night.

The offense generated 197 yards on the ground and 234 yards through the air. Matt Colburn rushed 12 times for 78 yards including a 59-yard run, the longest of the scrimmage. Cade Carney added 44 yards on 11 carries and Rocky Reid gained 43 yards on just five carries, an average of 8.6 yards per carry.

"The offensive line, that's probably as good as they looked in a scrimmage against our defense," said Clawson. "We had some seams and there were more of those four to six yard plays. Those were crucial, they keep you on schedule and keep you out of second and long. If we can run the ball and get four or five yards, we'll be a much better offense."

Quarterback John Wolford completed nine of 17 passes for 116 yards while Kendall Hinton completed six of eight passes for 104 yards and one touchdown.

Cortez Lewis made four catches for 82 yards while Steven Claude had 77 yards on just two receptions including a 72-yarder.

On Wake Forest's first drive, Wolford led the Deacons on a drive that ended at the defense's 2-yard line when a fourth down pass into the end zone was broken up by Josh Okonye. Wolford finished the game with 116 yards in the air and 28 more on the ground.

Hinton hit Steven Claude with a 72-yard touchdown pass early in the scrimmage. Claude finished the scrimmage with 77 yards on two catches.

"I've said many times, (Claude) might be the most improved player in camp," said Clawson. "He has been a very consistent player for us in camp. We have six receivers very capable of playing and they all will play. We have good internal competition and we also have enough guys to keep guys fresh.

"I think the wide-outs are the most improved position on the team. I think we have some guys that can play in this league and the exciting thing is that four of them are sophomores and two of them are freshmen. They're only going to get better. Some of those freshmen got so much experience last year that they are experienced freshmen."

Wolford threw a 36-yard pass to Cortez Lewis who made an acrobatic catch that led to a 36-yard field goal by Mike Weaver. Lewis led all receivers in receptions and yards Saturday evening, hauling in four catches for 82 yards.

Kendall Hinton found tight end Jack Freudenthal for a 27-yard gain on a drive that ended in a 45-yard field goal by Weaver. Weaver also connected on a 36-yard attempt later in the scrimmage to cap his night with a 2-for-2 performance.

Scotty Washington made a one-handed, 43-yar, TD catch from Jamie Newman that was nullified by an illegal procedure penalty.

Matt Colburn ripped off a 59-yard touchdown run towards the end of the scrimmage in which he outran several defenders. Colburn would end the night with 78 yards on 12 carries, including the game-long 59-yard run.

Traveon Redd and Ryan Janvion led the Demon Deacon defense as each recorded six tackles on the night. Paris Black tallied a pair of sacks while Grant Dawson, Ali Lamot and Wendell Dunn each picked up a sack each. John Armstrong recorded the only interception of the scrimmage when he picked off a short pass from Jamie Newman.