Demond Claiborne

By the Numbers and Notes: UConn

10/17/2024 7:47:00 AM | Football

Here are some key numbers and notes heading into Saturday’s game in Est Hartford, Conn.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest football team travels to face UConn on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Noon inside Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Conn. 
 
Wake Forest is looking to extend its winning streak against the Huskies to three in a row after winning in 2006 and the last matchup in 2007 which was a 24-10 win in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte.
 
Before the Deacs face the Huskies, below are some numbers and notes on the game:
 
By the Numbers
  • .720 - The Demon Deacons have the third-best record vs. non-ACC teams over the past six years with a record of 18-7 (.720).
  • 55 - Not counting the 2020 COVID season, the Deacs have the fourth-most overall wins in the ACC since 2016, trailing just Clemson, NC State and Miami.
  • 32.0 - Dating back to 2022, Jasheen Davis has recorded 31.5 tackles for loss in the last 20 games and 13.5 sacks. He has at least 0.5 tackles for loss in every game this season and in 23 of the last 24 games.
  • 105 - Wake Forest's 105 passing touchdowns since the start of the 2021 season ranks ninth nationally and second in the ACC.
  • 54 - The Deacs 54 All-ACC honors is tied for the sixth most overall in the ACC since the 2019 season. Additionally, the Deacs have had six or more players in the last seven seasons.
 
Winning the Third Phase
  • During the Dave Clawson era, Wake Forest has been the best team in the nation at converting field goals, connecting on 184-of-224 field goal attempts in the last 11 years (82.1 pct.) with the next closest being Stanford at 81.9 percent. That margin has been even highest over the last seven seasons since the start of the 2018 season:
Rk. Team                             FGM      FGA       FG PCT
1.    Wake Forest          116         135         85.9
2.    UNLV                              96            113         85.0
3.    Miami (OH)               109         130         83.8
4.    Boise State                                 114         137         83.2
5.    Texas Tech                                  111         134         82.8
  • This season, Matthew Dennis is 9-of-10 FG and was a perfect 20-of-20 in extra points. Over the course of his career, Dennis is 35-of-44 FG.
Rank                                                                            FGM      FGA       FG%
1. Nick Sciba (2018-21)*                            80            89            89.9
2. Matthew Dennis (2021-Pres.)      35            44            79.5
3. Mike Weaver (2014-17)                         68            89            76.4
4. Sam Swank (2005-08)                            71            93            76.3
5. Jimmy Newman (2009-12)                                   42            58            72.4
  • Ivan Mora is having his best punting season of his career, averaging 45.6 yards per punt including 10 punts of 50+ yards. His 42.2 career average ranks fifth in program history.
CAREER PUNT AVERAGE LEADERS
                                                      Years                     Punt Avg.
1. Ryan Plackmeier     2002-05               45.3 
2. Chuck Ramsey         1971-73               44.0
3. Dom Maggio                2016-19               43.7
4. Harry Newsome      1981-84               43.6
5. Ivan Mora                     2019-Pres.       42.2
 
Home Field Advantage
  • With record-setting crowds, multiple sellouts and the best student attendance in school history, playing at home over the past five seasons has given Wake Forest a huge edge. The Demon Deacons hold a 24-11 (.686) record in home contests since the start of the 2019 season which included a program-record 11-game winning streak spanning from the 2020 to 2022 seasons. The 68.6 percent win rate ranks fourth in the ACC during that time period:
Rank     School                                    Wins     Losses                  Pct.
1               Clemson            34            2               94.4
2               NC State             30            9               76.9
3               Louisville            26            10            72.2
4               Wake Forest 24            11            68.6
5               Pittsburgh         25            12            67.6
6               N Carolina        24            12            66.7
7               Miami                    23            12            65.7
8               Florida St           23            13            63.9
9               Duke                       21            13            61.8
10            Virginia                 22            14            61.1
 
Elite Passing Offense
  • A key to the Deacs scoring success has been the numbers that they have put up through the air in the last four seasons. Wake Forest ranks 21st nationally in passing yards since 2021 and ranks third in the ACC:
                 
Teams                                                      GP          Passing Yds
1  North Carolina          47            13,255
2 SMU                    45            13,028
3 Miami                                  43            12,476
4 Wake Forest                45            12,268
5 Pitt                                         45            12,046
  • Additionally, the Demon Deacons have found the endzone through the air the second-most in the ACC team since the start of the 2021 season and their 105 passing touchdowns are the 10th most in the country:
                  Teams                                    GP          Passing TDs
1 WKU                   47            157
2 Ohio State                       45            130
3 Alabama                           48            120
4 SMU                    45            118
5 LSU                                       46            117
6 Georgia                              50            114
T7 USC                                   44            112
T7 Oregon                            46            112
9 Utah State                      46            107
10 Wake Forest            45            105
T11 Tennessee                                  45            102
T11 App. State                                   46            102
T11 UTSA                              47            102
 
WINNINGEST PROGRAM IN NORTH CAROLINA
  • Since the turn of the century, the Demon Deacons boast a record of 33-26 against UNC, NC State and Duke. In addition, during that time, Wake Forest is 49-26 against all in-state opponents. The Deacs lead the Big Four in winning percentage against each other during that period.
  • Since the start of the 2016 season, the Deacs are the fourth-most wins in the ACC not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 season:
    • Clemson -- 90
    • NC State- 58
    • Miami- 57
    • Pitt- 56
    • Wake Forest -- 55
  • Additionally in the Clawson era, the Deacs recorded the first, second, fifth, sixth and seventh highest win totals in a single five-year period and the current five-year period of 29 wins ranks just outside of this list:
    • 38 (2017-21)
    • 37 (2018-22)
    • 36 (2004-08 & 2006-10)
    • 35 (2019-23)
    • 34 (2016-20)
    • 33 (2015-19)
    • 31 (1944-48)
    • 30 (1940-44)
 
VETERAN EXPERIENCE  
WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
  • One of the points of emphasis for the Wake Forest football team is winning the turnover battle. They have been one of the best teams in the country in that category since the start of the 2016 season.
  • In five of the last eight seasons, the Demon Deacons have finished inside of the top 25 in turnover margin while placing in the top three of ACC in each of those seasons.
  • Over the course of 2020-22, Wake Forest was +1 or better in turnover margin in 53 percent of games which ranked ninth nationally and fifth in the Power-5.
  • Over the past eight seasons, Wake Forest has a combined +29 turnover margin. This ranks 25th nationally over that time nationally and second in the ACC:
Rank                                        TO Gained        TO Lost                TO Margin
1. Clemson                         205                           157                           +48
2. Cal                                       171                           138                           +33
3. Wake Forest              173                           144                           +29
4. SMU                                                      174                          146                           +28
5. Miami                                172                           153                           +19
 
10K AND COUNTING
  • Throughout his career, Hank Bachmeier has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the country. He has accumulated 10,102 career passing yards in his six seasons playing which would rank second all-time in Wake Forest history. Additionally among active quarterbacks in the country, his career yards ranks seventh in FBS:
Rank                                        School                                                     Passing Yards
1. Dillon Gabriel             Oregon                                                     16,655
2. Will Rogers                                     Washington                       14,135
3. Seth Henigan                                Memphis                              12,311
4. Connor Bazelak       Bowling Green                                   10,637
5. Grayson McCall       NC State                               10,523
6. Alan Bowman            Oklahoma State                              10,442
7. Hank Bachmeier   Wake Forest                    10,102
8. Jaxson Dart                                    Ole Miss                                10,075 
9. Payton Thorne           Auburn                                   9,494 
10. Kurtis Rourke          Indiana                                                     9,403


 
  • Additionally in 44 career games played, Bachmeier has thrown for 60 career passing touchdowns which would rank third in Wake Forest program history and currently ranks 17th among active FBS quarterbacks and 14th among Power-4 quarterbacks:
Rank                                        School                                   GP          Passing TDs
1. Dillon Gabriel             Oregon                                   56            138
2. Will Rogers                                     Washington     50            107
3. Grayson McCall       NC State             46            91
4. Payton Thorne           Auburn                                   47            75
5. KJ Jefferson                                    UCF                         49            74
6. Cam Ward                    Miami                    31            68
T7. Dequan Finn            Baylor                    47            66
T7. Jaxson Dart                                 Ole Miss              39            66
9. Kurtis Rourke             Indiana                                   42            64
10. Graham Mertz        Florida                                    50            64 
11. Will Howard             Ohio State         40            62
T12. DJ Uiagalelei         Florida State   53            61
T12. Alan Bowman      Okla. St.              45            61 
14. Hank Bachmeier                  Wake Forest  44            60
15. Tyler Van Dyke       Wisconsin         35            55 
  • In his first start and first full game with Wake Forest against Virginia, the Murrieta, Calif. native threw for 403 yards and one touchdown as he went 27-of-43 against Virginia inside Allegacy Stadium, four yards short of his career high and just the second time in his career he has thrown for 400-plus yards.
  • Bachmeier became the fourth quarterback in the Dave Clawson era to throw for 400 yards in a game and his 403 yard tally is the fourth-highest total since 2014.
Rank                                        Date                       Opponent         Passing Yards
1. John Wolford                                Oct. 28, 2017  Louisville            461
2. Sam Hartman                              Oct. 23, 2021  Army                       458
3. Sam Hartman                              Nov. 14, 2020 UNC                        429
4. Hank Bachmeier   Sept. 7, 2024  UVA                         403
5. Sam Hartman                              Oct. 30, 2021  Duke                       402
6. Jamie Newman         Aug. 30, 2019 Utah State         401
7. John Wolford                                Dec. 29, 2017 Texas A&M        400
 
JD LIVING IN THE BACKFIELD
  • According to PFF, Jasheen Davis leads the nation in career quarterback pressures with 126 in his Wake Forest career including 20 so far this season:
Rank                                        School                                   Pressures
1. Tyler Baron                   Miami                    127
2. Jasheen Davis         Wake Forest 126
3. B.J. Green II                                    Colorado            120
4. Tyler Batty                     BYU                         119
5. Davin Vann                   NC State             118
  • Additionally, his 202 career tackle for loss yards are the fourth-most out of any active FBS player and his 42.0 tackles for loss is seventh among active FBS players.
  • Overall for the 2023 season, Jasheen Davis has recorded 49 tackles, ranking 10th nationally with 17.0 tackle-for-loss and ranking 25th nationally with 7.5 sacks. 
    • According to PFF, Davis was 14th nationally with 29 quarterback hurries.
  • Davis has now recorded at least 0.5 tackles-for-loss in the 23 of his last 24 games. 
  • Over his last 20 games dating back to last season, Davis has collected 31.5 tackles for loss and 14.0 sacks.
  • With 0.5 sacks in the Clemson game, Davis has now tallied 21.5 sacks in his career and that ranks fourth in program history:
Wake Forest Career Sacks
1. Mike McCrary (1989-92)                       30.0 
2. Calvin Pace (1999-02)                            29.0 
3. Duke Ejiofor (2014-17)                           23.5 
4. Jasheen Davis (2020-Present)    21.5
5. Carlos Basham, Jr. (2017-20)                            20.5 
  • Additionally, Davis has 42.0 tackles for loss and needs just 1.0 tackles for loss to move to sixth in program history:
 
Wake Forest Career Tackles for Loss
1. Calvin Pace (1999-02)                            54
2. Nikita Whitlock (2010-13)                   49
3. Mike McCrary (1989-92)                       46
4. Aaron Curry (2005-08)                           45.5
5. Fred Robbins (1996-98)                        44
6. Duke Ejiofor (2014-17)                           43
T7. Jasheen Davis (2019-Pres.)                           42
T7. Marquel Lee (2013-16)                       42
9. Nate Bolling (1998-01)                           40
10. Bryan Ray (1997-00)                             39
11. Kelvin Moses (1994-99)                     37
  • With 14.0 tackle for loss again in back-to-back season, Davis is in the top 10 in program history for a single season and ranked third in the Clawson era:
 
Tackles for Loss Since 2014
1 Marquel Lee (2016)                                    20.0
2 Boogie Basham (2019)                            18.0
T3 Jasheen Davis (2023)                           17.0
T3 Duke Ejiofor (2016)                                                    17.0
5 Duke Ejiofor (2017)                                     16.5
6 Rondell Bothroyd (2021)                        16.5
7 Jasheen Davis (2022)                                                14.0
 
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
  • In the season opener against NC A&T, Taylor Morin had a career night, posting a career-best 217 all-purpose yards including his first career punt return touchdown.
    • Morin was the first Power-4 player to have a punt return touchdown in 2024. Additionally, it marked Wake Forest's first since Sept. 8, 2018 vs. Towson when Greg Dortch had a 60-yard scoring return.
    • His 217 all-purpose yards were the sixth most in FBS for week one and marked the first Demon Deacon to finish with 200 or more APY since Matt Colburn against Louisville on Oct. 27, 2018.
  • Morin followed that up with another strong performance, pulling in seven catches for 91 yards against Virginia. He has now had six or more receptions in the last three games, dating back to last season and his 176 career receptions ranks 11th among active FBS players heading into week three.
  • After pulling in a career-best nine touchdowns during the 2022 season, which ranked 19th nationally and fourth in the ACC, Morin entered the 2023 season already ranked in the top 10 in school history in receiving touchdowns. He added to his total with a pair of touchdown receptions in the win over Old Dominion:
CAREER RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS 
1. A.T. Perry (2018-22)                                                    28 
2. Ricky Proehl (1986-89)                          25 
3. Todd Dixon (1990-93)                             22 
4. Cam Serigne (2014-17)                         21 
    Red O'Quinn (1946-49)                          21 
    Chris Givens (2009-11)                           21 
7. Desmond Clark (1995-98)                                    20 
8. Kenny Duckett (1978-81)                    19 
    Taylor Morin (2019-Pres.)                                    19 
  • Additionally, another strong year in receptions has elevated Morin into the top 10 in school history in total receptions. His 192 currently ranks third in school history, holding the most receptions in the Dave Clawson era as he passed former teammate A.T. Perry and Cam Serigne against Virginia:
CAREER RECEPTION LEADERS   
                                                      Years                     Receptions
1. Michael Campanaro             2010-13               229 
2. Desmond Clark       1995-98               216
3. Taylor Morin              2019-Pres.       192
4. Ricky Proehl                                  1986-89               188
5. Jammie Deese          1996-99               184 
6. Cam Serigne                                 2014-17               174 
7. A.T. Perry                       2018-22               171 
7. Chris Givens                                 2009-11               163 
8. Thabiti Davis               1994-97               161 
10. James Brim                                 1983-86               153 
  • Going into the week, Morin ranks fourth in program history and second in the Clawson era in receiving yards just trailing his former teammate A.T. Perry:
CAREER RECEIVING YARDS LEADERS   
                                                      Years                     Receptions
1. Ricky Proehl                                  1986-89               2,949 
2. Desmond Clark       1995-98               2,834 
3. A.T. Perry                       2018-22               2,662 
4. Taylor Morin              2019-Pres.       2,572
5. Michael Campanaro             2010-13               2,506 
6. Chris Givens                                 2009-11               2,473 
7. Wayne Baumgardner            1978-81               2,431 
8. Jammie Deese          1996-99               2,348 
9. Todd Dixon                                     1990-93               2,300 
10. Jaquarii Roberson                 2017-21               2,158
  • With the help of a strong opening game, Morin continues to solidify himself in the top five in career punt return yards
CAREER PUNT RETURN YARDS LEADERS   
                                                      Years   Receptions
1. George Coghill          1989-92               1,002 
2. Fabien Davis               1999-02               722 
3. Taylor Morin              2019-Pres.       682
4. Willie Idlette                                 2003-06               566 
5. Tom Fetzer                    1946-48               552
 
DC1
  • In the ACC road opening win over NC State, Demond Claiborne rushed for a season-high 136 yards and found the endzone three times. He finished the game with 144 all-purpose yards. 
  • This marked the eighth time in the last 14 games that he has gone for 100 or more all-purpose yards including a career-high 172 APR in the season opener:
    • Oct. 5, 2024 vs. NC State - 144 APR (136 RUSH, 8 RCV)
    • Sept. 28, 2024 vs. Louisiana - 117 APR (94 RUSH, 10 RCV, 13 KR)
    • Aug. 29, 2024 vs. NC A&T - 172 APR (135 RUSH, 37 KR)
    • Nov. 2, 2023 at Duke - 139 APR (81 RUSH, 58 KR)
    • Oct. 21, 2023 vs. Pitt - 137 APR (96 RUSH, 22 RCV, 19 KR) 
    • Oct. 14, 2023 at Virginia Tech- 100 APR (4 RUSH, 96 KR)
    • Sept. 9, 2023 vs. Vandy - 165 APR (165 RUSH)
  • Claiborne's 96-yard kickoff return in the second quarter against Virginia Tech was the first kickoff return touchdown for the Demon Deacons since Ja'Sir Taylor's 99-yard touchdown in a 42-10 victory over Old Dominion in 2021. 
  • Additionally, it was one of the longest plays in the Clawson era, ranking second:
Rk           Play
1.             99-yd kick return by Ja'Sir Taylor vs. Old Dominion (9/3/21)
T2.          96-yd kick return by Demond Claiborne at Virginia Tech (10/14/23)
T2.          96-yd kick return by Donavon Greene vs. Campbell (10/2/20)
T2.          96-yd run by Kenneth Walker, III at Rice (9/6/19)
5.             83-yd INT by Traveon Redd at Army (10/23/21)
  • The Deacs have produced a rushing score in 39 of their last 45 games dating back to Dec. 12, 2020 at Louisville. The only games during this run without a rushing score was in Week 4 vs. Clemson in 2022, Week three at Old Dominion in 2023, week eight at Virginia Tech, week 11 vs. NC St. and week three against Ole Miss in 2024.
Football Media Availability (9/30/25)
Tuesday, September 30
Wake Forest Football Coach Jake Dickert Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, September 30
Coach Jake Dickert Press Conference (Sept. 29, 2025)
Monday, September 29
Sept. 27, 2025: Coach Jake Dickert Postgame Press Conference Following Game vs. Georgia Tech
Sunday, September 28