Wake Forest Athletics
By the Numbers and Notes: Louisville
9/30/2021 7:25:00 PM | Football
Here are some key numbers and notes heading into the Louisville game this weekend.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football team returns to Truist Field as the Demon Deacons welcome Louisville for their third ACC matchup of the season on Saturday.
Before the Deacs continue their ACC slate against the Cardinals, 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.
+24.3 - Wake Forest's +24.3 scoring margin ranks seventh among all FBS teams and is the most in the ACC by 8.3.
9 - Through four games, nine different Wake Forest defenders have forced turnovers including two each from Caelen Carson and Traveon Redd.
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 11 turnovers this season puts them among the best in the nation:
FBS Leaders in Turnovers Gained
1. Kent State 13 (4 Fum, 9 INT)
T2. Boise State 12 (5 Fum, 7 INT)
T2. Kent State 12 (3 Fum, 9 INT)
T2. Notre Dame 12 (3 Fum, 9 INT)
5. Wake Forest 11 (4 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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Scoring D (9th, 14.2 PPG)
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Redzone D (5th, .545)
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TFL/G (7th, 8.5)
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Turnover Margin (4th, +1.75 per game)
FAST STARTS
• WE DID IT AGAIN: Wake Forest has now started its season 4-0 for the fifth-time this century (2019, 2017, 2016, 2006) and the fourth time in the Dave Clawson era. In each of these seasons, the Demon Deacons won their Atlantic Coast Conference road opener as Wake Forest did so on Friday.
• HALFTIME LEADS: The Demon Deacons took the lead into half for the fourth time this season with a 20-3 lead over Virginia at the midway point on Friday. They have had a combined lead of 99-29 in first halves this season.
QB1 CLIMBING THE CHARTS
• ACCURACY: Sam Hartman has completed 74-of-112 passes to open the season for a completion percentage of 66.1%. Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Riley Skinner holds the Demon Deacons and ACC record after completing 236-of-326 (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) 66.1 (74-112)
3. Riley Skinner (2009) 66.0 (264-400)
4. Riley Skinner (2006) 65.8 (171-260)
5. Cory Randolph (2005) 64.9 (85-131)
• FINDING THE ENDZONE: Dating back to last season, Hartman has now thrown at least one touchdown pass in eight straight games. Over that stretch he has 18 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 64-of-71 (.901), 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 90.1
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 338 points for his career, breaking the school record on his final kick of the Virginia game on Friday. He also is tied for 14th in ACC history in points.
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 155 combined points this season, the most in school history through the first four games. This tops the 2017 season when the Deacs scored 151 points (Presbyterian, 51; Boston College, 34; Utah State, 46; App State, 20).
• The Demon Deacons took the lead into half for the fourth time this season with a 20-3 lead over Virginia at the midway point. They have had a combined lead of 99-29 in first halves this season.
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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 ninth meeting between both programs.
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Louisville is currently on a two game win streak dating back to 2019
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In their last meeting, Louisville topped Wake Forest by a score of 45-21.
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Dave Clawson looks to earn his third win against the Cardinals this Saturday.
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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 three out of their last four wins against Louisville.
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Wake Forest's first meeting with Louisville was in 2007 at the Orange Bowl when the Cardinals topped the Deacs 24-13.
