Wake Forest Athletics
By the Numbers and Notes: Syracuse
10/8/2021 8:00:00 AM | Football
Here are some key numbers and notes heading into the Syracuse game this weekend.
Know Before You Go | Broadcast Info
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football team hits the road on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m. against the Syracuse Orange.
Before the Deacs continue their ACC slate against the Orange, below are some numbers and notes on the game:
By the Numbers:
3 - The Demon Deacons five consecutive bowl game appearances rank third in the ACC just trailing
Clemson and Miami (FL) in the conference.
32 - The Demon Deacons 2 wins since the start of the 2017 season is third among all ACC teams and is the most among all four North Carolina teams.
94.2- According to Pro Football Focus, Zach Tom has the highest pass block rating in the nation with a 94.2 rating. He is just one of two tackles in the country above 90.0.
+19.0 - Wake Forest's +19.0 scoring margin ranks 11th among all FBS teams and second most in the ACC.
9 - Through five games, nine different Wake Forest defenders have forced turnovers including a team-high three from Traveon Redd and two from Caelen Carson.
Notable:
PUTTING THE D IN DEACONS
SIX TURNOVERS VS FSU: The Demon Deacon defense forced six turnovers in the victory (three fumbles and three interceptions), the most in the Dave Clawson era. The previous high was five at Indiana on Sept. 24, 2016. Additionally, the six turnovers forced are the most forced by a FBS team in a single game this season. The Demon Deacons total of 13 turnovers this season puts them among the best in the nation:
FBS Leaders in Turnovers Gained
T1. Hawaii 16 (8 Fum, 8 INT)
T1. Iowa 16 (4 Fum, 12 INT)
3. Middle Tennessee 15 (10 Fum, 5 INT)
T4. Kent State 14 (4 Fum, 10 INT)
T4. South Carolina 14 (5 Fum, 9 INT)
T6. Wake Forest 13 (6 Fum, 7 INT)
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST: In addition to turning the ball over the Demon Deacon defense also see themselves inside of the top-25 in a number of other categories:
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Sacks (12th, 3.4 per game)
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Redzone D (12th, .667),
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TFL/G (17th, 7.4),
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Turnover Margin (7th, +1.60 per game).
FAST STARTS
WE DID IT AGAIN: Wake Forest has now started its season 5-0 for the third-time this century (2019, 2006) and the second time in the Dave Clawson era. Additionally, the Demon Deacons are off to a 3-0 start in ACC play for the second time in program history (2011).
HALFTIME LEADS: The Demon Deacons took the lead into half for the fifth time this season with a 20-17 lead over Louisville at the midway point on Saturday. They have had a combined lead of 119-46 in first halves this season.
QB1 CLIMBING THE CHARTS
300-PLUS: Sam Hartman threw for 324 yards on Saturday, his first 300-yard passing game of the season and the seventh of his career. Additionally, Hartman tossed two touchdown passes and is now tied for the fifth all-time in Wake Forest history with 44 career TD passes:
Wake Forest Career Passing Touchdowns
1. Riley Skinner (2006-09) 60
2. John Wolford (2014-17) 59
3. Tanner Price (2010-13 52
4. Sam Hartman (2018-Pres.) 44
Gary Schofield (1981-83) 44
Brian Kulklick (1994-98) 44
FINDING THE ENDZONE: Dating back to last season, Hartman has now thrown at least one touchdown pass in nine straight games. Over that stretch he has 20 touchdown passes to seven different receivers.
KICKING INTO HISTORY
Nick Sciba is on his way to becoming the most accurate kicker in NCAA history. During his time at Wake Forest, he is 67-of-74 (.905), the best mark for any kicker in NCAA and ACC history (min. 50 att).
NCAA Career Field Goal Percentage (min. 50 attempts)
1. Nick Sciba (2018-present) WF 90.5
2. Brett Baer (2009-12) ULL 90.0
3. Alex Henery (2007-10) NEB 89.5
4. Roberto Aguayo (2013-15) FSU 88.5
5. Chris Manfredini (2003-07) TCU 87.7
Additionally, Sciba holds the school record with 351 points for his career, breaking the school record on his final kick of the Virginia game. He also is 13th in ACC history in points, seven points away from 12th.
RECORD BREAKING OFFENSES
From 2017-20, Wake Forest has produced the three highest scoring seasons in school history with each club scoring better. In 2021, the Deacs have scored 192 combined points, the most in school history through the first five games. This tops the 2018 season when the Deacs scored 191 points (Tulane, 23; Towson, 51; Boston College, 34; Notre Dame, 27; Rice, 56)
The Demon Deacons took the lead into half for the fifth time this season with a 20-17 advantage over Louisville at the midway point. They have had a combined lead of 119-46 in first halves this season, scoring at least 20 points in the opening 30 minutes of play in every game:
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vs Louisville (Oct. 2, 2021)- 20-17
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at Virginia (Sept. 24, 2021) - 20-3
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vs. Florida State (Sept. 18, 2021) - 24-9
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vs. Norfolk State (Sept. 11, 2021) - 27-14
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vs. Old Dominion (Sept. 3, 2021) - 28-3
For the first time in the Dave Clawson era Wake Forest has rushed for six rushing touchdowns in the first two games of the season. The last time Wake Forest accomplished this mark was in 2010 when the Deacons rushed for nine touchdowns in their first two games to start the year.
Wake Forest's 1,300 points scored during the 2017-19 period is the highest-scoring three-year period in Deacon history.
Series Info:
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Saturday marks the 11th meeting between both programs.
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Wake Forest recently snapped a two-game losing streak to Syracuse when they topped the Orange, 38-14 on October 31, 2020.
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Dave Clawson looks to earn his fourth win against the Orange Saturday to make his record 4-4 against them.
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The last four matchups saw both teams split wins (2-2).
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Wake Forest has scored 30+ in two out of their last three wins against Syracuse.
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Wake Forest has averaged 39.0 points and 506.5 yards in the last four matchups.
