Wake Forest Athletics
Week 11 Open the Gate Honoree: Larry Russell
11/8/2022 12:42:00 PM | Football
Russell was quarterback of the Wake Forest football team from 1969-71.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Larry Russell, a 1988 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame inductee, will lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons onto the field this Saturday, Nov. 12, against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
The Newburyport, Mass. native led the Demon Deacons to an ACC title his junior season in 1970 with a 5-1 conference record. That season, he recorded 649 yards on the ground and 10 rushing touchdowns in addition to 671 yards and four scores through the air while earning the first of his two First-Team All-ACC honors.
In 1971, Russell took another step forward as he rushed for a school-record 15 touchdowns and a quarterback school-record 803 yards. He finished the season with 17 total touchdowns and 1,093 total yards while leading the Demon Deacons to a 6-5 record. The record-breaking season saw Russell named First-Team All-ACC once again.
Russell ranks first in Wake Forest history in career rushing yards (1,923) and rushing touchdowns (29) by a quarterback. His 29 rushing touchdowns also rank fourth in school history. He is the only quarterback in Wake Forest history to rush for four touchdowns in a game and he did so twice, against Davidson and William & Mary in 1971. Additionally, his seven 100-yard rushing games ranks tied-for-eighth in program history, with a career-high of 149.
The left-handed quarterback was also a pitcher for the Wake Forest baseball team his freshman season. He compiled a 5-1 record on the mound in 1969 before head football coach Cal Stoll told him he had to focus on football.
Open the Gate Information & 2022 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition has been an important and unique aspect of football games since its inception in 2008. This allows Wake Forest to honor individuals that make its University and Winston-Salem community so special. Honorees ride on the back of the motorcycle with the Demon Deacon mascot and lead the football team onto Truist Field. The first ever honoree was Wake Forest and Winston-Salem legend, Chris Paul.
Week One vs. VMI: Dr. Caryl Guth
Week Three vs. Liberty: Matt James
Week Four vs. Clemson: Quintin Williams
Week Six vs. Army: Major General Brian Mennes
Week Eight vs. Boston College: Megan Gebbia
Week 11 vs. North Carolina: Larry Russell
The Newburyport, Mass. native led the Demon Deacons to an ACC title his junior season in 1970 with a 5-1 conference record. That season, he recorded 649 yards on the ground and 10 rushing touchdowns in addition to 671 yards and four scores through the air while earning the first of his two First-Team All-ACC honors.
In 1971, Russell took another step forward as he rushed for a school-record 15 touchdowns and a quarterback school-record 803 yards. He finished the season with 17 total touchdowns and 1,093 total yards while leading the Demon Deacons to a 6-5 record. The record-breaking season saw Russell named First-Team All-ACC once again.
Russell ranks first in Wake Forest history in career rushing yards (1,923) and rushing touchdowns (29) by a quarterback. His 29 rushing touchdowns also rank fourth in school history. He is the only quarterback in Wake Forest history to rush for four touchdowns in a game and he did so twice, against Davidson and William & Mary in 1971. Additionally, his seven 100-yard rushing games ranks tied-for-eighth in program history, with a career-high of 149.
The left-handed quarterback was also a pitcher for the Wake Forest baseball team his freshman season. He compiled a 5-1 record on the mound in 1969 before head football coach Cal Stoll told him he had to focus on football.
Open the Gate Information & 2022 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition has been an important and unique aspect of football games since its inception in 2008. This allows Wake Forest to honor individuals that make its University and Winston-Salem community so special. Honorees ride on the back of the motorcycle with the Demon Deacon mascot and lead the football team onto Truist Field. The first ever honoree was Wake Forest and Winston-Salem legend, Chris Paul.
Week One vs. VMI: Dr. Caryl Guth
Week Three vs. Liberty: Matt James
Week Four vs. Clemson: Quintin Williams
Week Six vs. Army: Major General Brian Mennes
Week Eight vs. Boston College: Megan Gebbia
Week 11 vs. North Carolina: Larry Russell
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