
Deacon Sports Xtra: Jurgens Leadership Helps Beef Boys Be Versatile as an Offense
10/19/2022 12:12:00 PM | Football
“We’re at that point where we’re starting to form our own identity, and we’re happy the way it’s gone.” - Michael Jurgens
Fifth-year junior center Michael Jurgens picked up ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors following the Demon Deacons 31-21 win over Florida State in Tallahassee, adding to a long list of accolades for his performance.
It's the second time in his career he earned player of the week honors, and he's also a three-time Rimington Award Watch List member, given to the top center in college football; and was additionally recognized as a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy — given to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance.
"It's always good to get recognized," Jurgens said about the accolades. "I'm going to steal from Sam's (Hartman) playbook and say that's really an award for all my teammates. We don't really read into that stuff too much, it's just great to get the win."
Known for a prolific vertical passing attack fueled by Hartman and a dangerous group of receivers, the Demon Deacons have really relied on a potent rushing attack in back-to-back wins over Florida State and Army.
"There's always some good and some bad," Jurgens said. "There are things to clean up, especially on third downs. But really happy with how we're doing and DeVonte has taken the next step in his game. It's great having Je'Vionte' (Nash) back, as he's so firm in the run game. Obviously, Sean (Maginn), Loic (Ngassam Nya) and I are extremely comfortable with each other.
"It's a good feeling for us. Justice (Ellison) and CT (Christian Turner) are guys you're always happy to see succeed. In our offense, it always depends on what the opposing team is going to give us. When teams give us good run boxes, we like to capitalize on that."
Any conference road win is reason for celebration, according to Jurgens.
"Every time you get an ACC win on the road, I can basically picture each one of those in my head, since 2018," he said. "It's a really great feeling. There's just so much work put into this. To see how this team bounced back after the Clemson game was a really good feeling. We're at that point where we're starting to form our own identity, and we're happy the way it's gone."
In the 45-10 victory over Army, the Deacs rushed for 221 yards and the defense showed significant improvements versus the game at West Point a season ago, which the Demon Deacons won 70-56.
"Our offense was 14 points better than their offense and our defense was 14 points better than their defense," Jurgens said. "That's football. That's how it is. That play by Tra Redd toward the end of the game secured the win. If he doesn't make that play, who knows what happens? It's a team sport."
As the Deacs navigate the bye week and get set to host a struggling Boston College team, there's little chance the veterans on the team will lose focus.
"We only get 12 of these," Jurgens said. "If you don't get up for every one of them, then what are you doing it for? You're never too high and never too low. Same approach every week.
"You have to go into every single game expecting it to be a four-quarter war. Now we know it's going to be hard, but always believe you will be successful."
With both teams having an off week to prepare, Jurgens realizes that even watching a lot of tape won't reveal everything they will face Oct. 22 against the Eagles.
"It's very rare that a team plays us the same way they play everyone else," he said. "Everyone comes out with a different way to scheme us. Liberty came out twisting and blitzing every single play. That's where our coaching comes into play. Our walk through has coach R (offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero) scripting every single scenario."
Coming off three-straight sellouts at Truist Field, support from the community and the Wake Forest student population is at a fever pitch. Jurgens said he joked with Hartman last season, as they're both introverts of sorts, that they might need to stop wearing Wake Forest gear out quite so much.
"There's a lot more support and love from the community," Jurgens said. "It's great."
It's the second time in his career he earned player of the week honors, and he's also a three-time Rimington Award Watch List member, given to the top center in college football; and was additionally recognized as a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy — given to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance.
"It's always good to get recognized," Jurgens said about the accolades. "I'm going to steal from Sam's (Hartman) playbook and say that's really an award for all my teammates. We don't really read into that stuff too much, it's just great to get the win."
Known for a prolific vertical passing attack fueled by Hartman and a dangerous group of receivers, the Demon Deacons have really relied on a potent rushing attack in back-to-back wins over Florida State and Army.
"There's always some good and some bad," Jurgens said. "There are things to clean up, especially on third downs. But really happy with how we're doing and DeVonte has taken the next step in his game. It's great having Je'Vionte' (Nash) back, as he's so firm in the run game. Obviously, Sean (Maginn), Loic (Ngassam Nya) and I are extremely comfortable with each other.
"It's a good feeling for us. Justice (Ellison) and CT (Christian Turner) are guys you're always happy to see succeed. In our offense, it always depends on what the opposing team is going to give us. When teams give us good run boxes, we like to capitalize on that."
Any conference road win is reason for celebration, according to Jurgens.
"Every time you get an ACC win on the road, I can basically picture each one of those in my head, since 2018," he said. "It's a really great feeling. There's just so much work put into this. To see how this team bounced back after the Clemson game was a really good feeling. We're at that point where we're starting to form our own identity, and we're happy the way it's gone."
In the 45-10 victory over Army, the Deacs rushed for 221 yards and the defense showed significant improvements versus the game at West Point a season ago, which the Demon Deacons won 70-56.
"Our offense was 14 points better than their offense and our defense was 14 points better than their defense," Jurgens said. "That's football. That's how it is. That play by Tra Redd toward the end of the game secured the win. If he doesn't make that play, who knows what happens? It's a team sport."
As the Deacs navigate the bye week and get set to host a struggling Boston College team, there's little chance the veterans on the team will lose focus.
"We only get 12 of these," Jurgens said. "If you don't get up for every one of them, then what are you doing it for? You're never too high and never too low. Same approach every week.
"You have to go into every single game expecting it to be a four-quarter war. Now we know it's going to be hard, but always believe you will be successful."
With both teams having an off week to prepare, Jurgens realizes that even watching a lot of tape won't reveal everything they will face Oct. 22 against the Eagles.
"It's very rare that a team plays us the same way they play everyone else," he said. "Everyone comes out with a different way to scheme us. Liberty came out twisting and blitzing every single play. That's where our coaching comes into play. Our walk through has coach R (offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero) scripting every single scenario."
Coming off three-straight sellouts at Truist Field, support from the community and the Wake Forest student population is at a fever pitch. Jurgens said he joked with Hartman last season, as they're both introverts of sorts, that they might need to stop wearing Wake Forest gear out quite so much.
"There's a lot more support and love from the community," Jurgens said. "It's great."
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