Associated Press Names Clawson ACC Coach of the Year, Five Deacs Earn All-ACC Honors
12/6/2021 12:00:00 PM | Football
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Zach Tom and junior kicker Nick Sciba both earned First Team All-ACC honors by the Associated Press.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson was named the 2021 AP ACC Coach of the Year and five Demon Deacons earned AP All-ACC honors, as announced by the outlet on Monday afternoon.
This marks the second honor for Clawson this season after being named the ACC Football Coach of the Year last Thursday. He is the first Wake Forest head coach to do so since 2006.
For the second time in the last week, redshirt junior offensive lineman Zach Tom and junior kicker Nick Sciba received First Team All-ACC honors. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Hartman, redshirt sophomore wide receiver A.T. Perry, redshirt senior defensive lineman Miles Fox and redshirt defensive back Traveon Redd were all named to the second team.
The five honorees mark the second most in the Clawson era, trailing just the 2017 team that saw six players earn AP All-ACC status.
Head Coach Dave Clawson
Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson was named the 2021 ACC Coach of the Year by the ACC and the Associated Press. This marks the ninth time a Wake Forest head coach has been honored as the ACC Football Coach of the Year and the first since 2006.
Clawson is the seventh Wake Forest head coach to win the award. Others who won the award were Jim Grobe (2006), Bill Dooley (1992 and 1987), John Mackovic (1979), Cal Stool (1970), William Tate (1964) and Paul Amen (1959 and 1955).
Wake Forest's 10-3 record this season marks the second time in program history that it has won double-digit games and Coach Clawson is the only active Power 5 head coach in the country to win double-digit games in a single season at four different Division I institutions.
Wake Forest is 15-2 at home since the start of the 2019 season. Additionally with a perfect 6-0 mark this season, the Deacs recorded their first undefeated home record for the first time since 1979 and just the third time since Wake Forest's 1970 ACC Championship team. Meanwhile, six home wins ties the program record that was set in 2019.
Wake Forest has won nine-straight games inside Truist Field which marks the longest home winning streak in program history. The streak dates back to the win over Campbell on Oct. 2, 2020.
Wake Forest is tied for 10th in the country to play at least nine bowl eligible teams entering the Championship Weekend of the season.
Wake Forest placed a program-record 15 players on the 2021 All-ACC Teams last week and ranks fifth among all FBS teams in scoring at 41.2 points per game.
Nationally after climbing into the top 10 of the Associated Press and Amway Coaches Poll this season, the Wake Forest football team achieved its highest ranking in the College Football Playoff Poll in school history when the first ranking was released on Nov. 2 as the Demon Deacons were tabbed as the No. 9 this week according to the CFP selection committee.
Dave Clawson is 50-48 in his eight-year tenure with the Demon Deacons. He is one just five head coaches in program history to have a winning record in his coaching career at Wake Forest and the first since D.C. "Peahead" Walker (77-51-6; 1937-50).
Zach Tom (Left Tackle)
Tom, who was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy this year and won the Jim Tatum Award on , has appeared in 47 games, making 36 starts including all 35 over the last three seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Tom is the only player in the country with a 90.0-plus pass blocking grade and a 75.0-plus run blocking rating.
Overall for the season, Tom helped Wake Forest's offense rank fifth in the country in scoring offense (41.2), while ranking 12th in total offense (461.9). Additionally, the Demon Deacons are on pace to smash the program scoring mark as the Deacs more than a touchdown better than their record-setting pace a season ago of 36.0 points per game.
In addition to scoring offense, the Deacs also rank top-25 in these offensive categories: Total offense (12th, 461.9 yd/game), Yards per Completion (10th, 14.33), 3rd Down Conv. Pct. (7th, 48.8%), Red Zone Offense (10th, 91.9%) and Passing Offense (13th, 307.6 yd/game).
Zach Tom was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for the first time of his career this past week as he anchored the Wake Forest offensive line that tallied 677 yards, the second-highest total in program history and the most in a Demon Deacon home game against Duke.
Overall, Tom helped Wake Forest's offense score 45 points and total 266 rushing yards, 411 passing yards and 29 first downs. The Demon Deacons averaged 6.3 yards per play in the run game. Individually, Tom tallied two knockdowns and did not allow a sack and pressure.
Heading into the 2021 season, Tom has played in 1,902 snaps and has given up just one sack while grading out at 92% overall and has only been called for three penalties.
The two-time ACC Academic Team honoree, ACC Postgraduate Scholarship recipient and Campbell Trophy Semifinalist was also placed on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC First Team and Preseason Fourth Team All-American by Phil Steele prior to the year.
The ACC's leading returner in pass block efficiency was recognized this preseason as an All-American by Phil Steele. Tom was also placed on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, given to the best interior lineman in the country.
Nick Sciba (Kicker)
After a historic start to the season, Wake Forest junior kicker Nick Sciba was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award for the third-straight season, making him one of just three members on the 2021 list to earn the honor three years in a row.
Additionally, the Clover, S.C. native was named a unanimous Midseason First Team All-American, earning first-team honors from Associated Press, CBS Sports, The Athletic, ESPN and 247Sports.
The two-time ACC specialist of the week connected on his first 12 field goals this season and made a then FBS-best 24-consecutive field goals, dating back to the 2020 season.
After connecting on a pair of field goal attempts against Boston College, Sciba owns a .895 career field goal percentage (77-of-86), which is tied for the second highest in NCAA history:
NCAA Career Field Goal Percentage (min. 50 attempts)
1. Brett Baer (2009-12) ULL 90.0
2. Nick Sciba (2018-present) WF 89.5
Alex Henery (2007-10) NEB 89.5
4. Roberto Aguayo (2013-15) FSU 88.5
5. Chris Manfredini (2003-07) TCU 87.7
Sciba, who broke the program record for career points in Week 4 at Virginia, increased his career point total to 421 with three extra points against Pitt in the ACC Championship Game.
All-Time ACC Scoring List
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1 Travis Etienne 468 2017 2020 Clemson
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2. Dustin Hopkins 466 2009 2012 Florida State
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3. Ross Martin 430 2012 2015 Duke
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4. Nick Sciba* 421 2018 2021 Wake Forest
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5. Roberto Aguayo 405 2013 2015 Florida State
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6. Chandler Catanzaro 404 2010 2013 Clemson
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7. Michael Badgley 403 2014 2017 Miami
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Joey Slye 403 2014 2017 Virginia Tech
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8. Nick Novak* 393 2001 2004 Maryland
Sam Hartman (Quarterback)
Hartman is in the midst of the greatest single season for a Demon Deacon signal caller while also eclipsing numerous career milestones along the way.
Sam Hartman finished Saturday's contest 22-of-46 for 213 yards with two passing touchdowns and a rushing score. Over the past 10 games, Hartman has thrown the ball for 3,233 yards, 30 touchdowns while completing his passes at a 56.9 clip.
He continues to inch closer to the all-time passing yardage list as Hartman has now thrown the second-most yards in program history.
Career Passing Yardage List
1. Riley Skinner (2006-09) 9,762
2. Sam Hartman (2018-present) 8,962
3. Tanner Price (2010-13) 8,899
4. John Wolford (2014-17) 8,794
5. Brian Kuklick (1994-98) 8,017
6. Mike Elkins (1985-88) 7,304
7. Gary Schofield (1981-83) 7,205
Hartman scored the Demon Deacons second score of the game with an 11-yard scamper into the endzone. The TD run marked his 11th scoring jaunt of the 2021 season, which ranks second in program history for touchdown rushes by a QB in program history.
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1. Larry Russell (1971) -- 15
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2. Sam Hartman (2021) -- 11
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John Wolford (2017) -- 10
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Larry Russell (1970) -- 10
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Freddie Summers (1967) -- 10
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6. Kendall Hinton (2015) -- 7
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Freddie Summers (1968) -- 7
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7. John Wolford (2016) -- 6
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Jamie Newman (2019) -- 6
Hartman's first touchdown pass to A.T. Perry in the first quarter against NC State marked the 61st touchdown pass of his career. He added to his total with two touchdown passes on Saturday:
1. Sam Hartman (2018-Pres.), 69
2. Riley Skinner (2006-09), 60
3. John Wolford (2014-17), 59
4. Tanner Price (2010-13), 52
5. Gary Schofield (1981-83), 44
Brian Kulklick (1994-98), 44
7. Mike Elkins (1985-88), 43
8. Jay Venuto (1979-80), 37
Additionally, Hartman is now tied for the ninth-most career touchdown passes in ACC history, joining Lamar Jackson and Brad Kaaya.
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1. Tajh Boyd, Clemson 2010-13 -- 107
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2. Philip Rivers, NC State 2000-03 -- 95
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3. Deshaun Watson, Clemson 2014-16 -- 90
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Trevor Lawrence, Clemson 2018-20 -- 90
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Sam Howell, North Carolina 2019-present --91
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6. Chris Weinke, Florida State 1997-00 -- 79
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7. Russell Wilson, NC State 2008-10 -- 76
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8. Jacory Harris, Miami 2008-11 -- 70
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9. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest, 2018-pres. - 69
Brad Kaaya, Miami 2014-16 -- 69
Lamar Jackson, Louisville 2015-17 -- 69
Hartman is also rising the ranks in ACC single season history as the Charlotte, N.C. native moved into 11th on the all-time list 17th and could become just the 10th 4,000-yard passer in conference history with 76 yards:
ALL-TIME ACC SEASON PASSING YARDS
1. Deshaun Watson (2016) 4,593 Clemson
2. Matt Ryan (2007) 4,507 Boston College
3. Philip Rivers (2003) 4,491 NC State
4. Brennan Armstrong (2021) 4,444 Virginia
5. Kenny Pickett (2021) 4,319 Pitt
6. Chris Weinke (2000) 4,167 Florida State
7. Deshaun Watson (2015) 4,109 Clemson
8. Jameis Winston (2013) 4,057 Florida State
9. Mike Glennon (2012) 4,031 NC State
10. Ryan Finley (2018) 3,928 NC State
11. Sam Hartman (2021) 3,924 Wake Forest
12. Jameis Winston (2014) 3,907 Florida State
13. Tajh Boyd (2012) 3,896 Clemson
14. Tajh Boyd (2013) 3,851 Clemson
15. Tajh Boyd (2011) 3,828 Clemson
16. Anthony Dilweg (1988) 3,824 Duke
17. Mitch Trubisky (2016) 3,748 North Carolina
With three touchdown passes against Boston College, he became the 9th player in ACC history with at least 34 touchdown passes in a season on Saturday. He broke the school record with his final touchdown pass against NC State and continues to add to his program record:
SEASON PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
1. Sam Hartman (2021) -- 36
2. John Wolford (2017) -- 29
3. Riley Skinner (2009) -- 26
Jamie Newman (2019) -- 26
With his one rushing touchdown and two touchdown passes against Pitt, Hartman is now responsible for 47 touchdowns this season which is the highest total in the conference entering Saturday's slate of games. Only five other players in ACC history have been responsible for at least 44 touchdowns in a season:
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Lamar Jackson (51 TDs)
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Deshaun Watson (50 TDs)
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Deshaun Watson, Sam Hartman, Kenny Pickett (47 TDs)
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Tajh Boyd (46 TDs)
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Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawerence (45 TDs)
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Tajh Boyd, Jameis Winston (44 TDs)
A.T. Perry (Wide Receiver)
Perry's 13 touchdowns ranks third in the NCAA and ranks second in the ACC while Roberson's eight touchdowns rank 37th in the country and fourth in the ACC.
After reeling in a five-yard touchdown reception for Wake Forest's first score of the game on Saturday, A.T. Perry caught his 14th TD of the season to add to his single-season touchdown reception record:.
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1. A.T. Perry (2021) -- 14
2. Kenny Duckett (1980) -- 12
3. Sage Surratt (2019) -- 11
Ricky Proehl (1989) -- 11
5. Greg Dortch (2017) -- 9
Cam Serigne (2017) -- 9
Marlon Estes (1995) -- 9
Chris Givens (2011) -- 9
9. Jaquarii Roberson (2021) -- 8
Jaquarii Roberson (2020) -- 8
Greg Dortch (2018) -- 8
Chris Givens (2009) -- 8
Ricky Proehl (1988) -- 8
Desmond Clark (1998) -- 8
Wayne Baumgardner (1979) -- 8
John Zeglinski (1975) -- 8
With his touchdown reception on Saturday bringing him to 14 on the season, A.T. Perry is now tied for seventh all-time in Atlantic Coast Conference history.
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1. Deandre Hopkins -- 18 (2012, Clemson)
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2. Jordan Addison -- 17 (2021, Pitt)
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Clarkston Hines -- 17 (1989, Duke)
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3. Torry Holt -- 16 (1997, NC State)
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4. Kelvin Benjamin -- 15 (2013, Florida State)
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Calvin Johnson -- 15 (2006, Georgia Tech)
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Andre Cooper -- 15 (1995, Florida State)
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7. Amba Etta-Tawo -- 14 (2016, Syracuse)
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A.T. Perry -- 14 (2021, Wake Forest)
Additionally, Perry and Roberson and the eighth and ninth Demon Deacon wide receivers to go over the 1,000-yard mark in single-season receiving yards. They are the second pair of Wake Forest receivers to accomplish this feat in the same season (2019: Sage Surratt, Kendall Hinton).
Wake Forest is believed to be the only school in Atlantic Coast Conference history to accomplish this feat twice. With that, Wake Forest is the only program in the conference to accomplish this benchmark twice since at least 1996.
Wake Forest Single Season 1,000 Yard Receivers
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1. Chris Givens (2011) -- 1,330
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2. A.T. Perry (2021) -- 1,166
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3. Jaquarii Roberson (2021) -- 1,078
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Greg Dortch (2018) -- 1.078
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5. Ricky Proehl (1989) -- 1,053
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6. Kenneth Moore (2007) -- 1,011
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7. Sage Surratt (2019) -- 1,001
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Kendall Hinton (2019) -- 1,001
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9. Wayne Baumgardner (1979) -- 1,000
Miles Fox (Defensive Tackle)
Miles Fox, who was an All-ACC honoree a season ago and a team captain this fall, has 30 total tackles, six tackles-for-loss and three sacks during the season.
He has helped anchor a defense that has forced 27 turnovers on the season, which is the fourth most in the nation.
Traveon Redd (Safety)
Traveon Redd has forced five turnovers this season including three interceptions and two forced fumbles while also having three fumble recoveries. Redd co-leads the conference and ranks third in the country with three fumbles recovered this season.
He has helped anchor a defense that has forced 27 turnovers on the season, which is the fourth most in the nation.
Redd has a fumble recovery, forced fumble or interception in eight of 12 games this season including a six-game streak heading from Louisville to NC State.
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vs. Louisville (forced fumble)
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at Syracuse (fumble recovery)
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at Army (interception)
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vs. Duke (fumble recovery)
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at North Carolina (fumble recovery)
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vs. NC State (fumble recovery)
Redd was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week twice this season (Oct. 4 & Oct. 25, 2021) after standout performances against Army and Louisville.
Against Army, Redd tallied an 83-yard interception return for a touchdown, the first of his career, that helped the Deacs secure the lead for good against Army. The touchdown was the seventh-longest interception return in program history. In addition to the game-changing interception, Redd tallied seven tackles.
Redd secured a team-high and career-best 11 tackles (eight solo) in the home win versus the Cardinals. He nearly doubled his season total, which entering Saturday stood at 12 total tackles through four games
With 3:47 remaining in the game, Redd forced the first fumble of his career. Redd also is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two.
