Wake Forest Athletics
By the Numbers and Notes: Virginia
9/23/2021 10:00:00 AM | Football
Here are some key numbers and notes heading into the Virginia game this weekend.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football team heads out on the road for the first time this season on Friday against Virginia.
Before the Deacs take their four-game win streak against the Cavaliers to Charlottesville, 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.
31- The Demon Deacons 31 wins since the start of the 2017 season is third among all ACC teams and is the most among all four North Carolina teams.
1 & 2- Ja'Corey Johns (89.8) and Luiji Vilain (86.7) are the No. 1 and No. 2 rated edge defenders in the ACC through week three of the season. Both rank inside of the top 15 nationally as well.
1- Per Pro Football Focus, Caelen Carson is the No. 1-rated cornerback in the nation with an 87.9 rating.
7- Through three games, seven different Wake Forest defenders have forced turnovers including two each from Caelen Carson and Traveon Redd.
Notable:
PUTTING THE D IN DEACONS
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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 nine turnovers this season puts them among the best in the nation:
FBS Leaders in Turnovers Gained
1. Kent State 10 (2 Fum, 8 INT)
2. Wake Forest 9 (3 Fum, 6 INT)
2. Boise State 9 (4 Fum, 5 INT)
2. Cincinnati 9 (3 Fum, 6 INT)
5. Five tied 8 total
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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:
Scoring D (14th, 13.3 PPG), Redzone D (25th, .667), TFL/G (12th, 8.3), Turnover Margin (Seventh, +1.67 per game).
FAST STARTS
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WE DID IT AGAIN: Wake Forest has now started its season 3-0 for the sixth-time this century (2019, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2006) and the fourth time in the Dave Clawson era. In each of these seasons, the Demon Deacons won their Atlantic Coast Conference opener as Wake Forest did so on Saturday.
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REMAINING UNBEATENS: Wake Forest heads into week four as one of just two remaining unbeatens in the ACC. Additionally, the Deacs are one of just 34 unbeatens in all of FBS.
QB1 CLIMBING THE CHARTS
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ACCURACY: Sam Hartman has completed 57-of-83 passes to open the season for a completion percentage of 68.7%. Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Riley Skinner holds the Demon Deacons and ACC record after completing 236-of-26 (72.4%) over 11 games in 2007.
Wake Forest Single Season Completion Pct.
1. Riley Skinner (2007) 72.4 (236-326)
2. Sam Hartman (2021) 68.7 (57-83)
3. Riley Skinner (2009) 66.0 (264-400)
4. Riley Skinner (2006) 65.8 (171-260)
5. Cory Randolph (2005) 64.9 (85-131)
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FINDING THE ENDZONE: Dating back to last season, Hartman has now thrown at least one touchdown pass in seven straight games. Over that stretch he has 16 touchdown passes to six different receivers.
KICKING INTO HISTORY
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Nick Sciba is on his way to becoming the most accurate kicker in NCAA history. During his time at Wake Forest, he is 61-of-68 (.897), the best mark for any kicker in ACC history (min. 50 attempts).
NCAA Career Field Goal Percentage (min. 50 attempts)
1. Brett Baer (2009-12) ULL 90.0
2. Nick Sciba (2018-present) WF 89.7
2. Alex Henery (2007-10) NEB 89.5
4. Roberto Aguayo (2013-15) FSU 88.5
5. Chris Manfredini (2003-07) TCU 87.7
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Additionally, Sciba is 13 points away from breaking the Wake Forest scoring record. He currently sits in third with 325 career points (three away from second place)
Series Info:
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Saturday marks the 51st meeting between both programs.
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Wake Forest is currently on a four-game win streak dating back to 2008
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In their last meeting, Wake Forest topped Virginia by a score of 40-23.
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Dave Clawson looks to maintain his perfect Wake Forest record against the Cavaliers Friday (2-0).
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The home team has won three out of the last four matchups.
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Wake Forest has scored 25+ in three out of their last four wins against Virginia.
