Florida State will look to avoid going winless for September on Saturday as it faces a Wake Forest team yet to lose. The Demon Deacons are coming off a hard-fought victory over Appalachian State.
The Demon Deacons had a nice turnaround last season, going 7-6 with a bowl victory over Temple. Wake Forest is off to a 4-0 start for the second straight year.
On Wake Forest
Record: 4-0 (1-0 ACC)
Offensive Ranks: 58th in yards per game (432) 78th in passing yards per game (215.8), 36th in rushing yards per game (216.3), 32nd in points per game (37.8).
Defensive Ranks: 35th in yards per game allowed (329), 46th in passing yards per game allowed (200.3), 50th in rushing yards per game allowed (128.3), 8th in points per game allowed (11.5).
Last Game: Beat Appalachian State, 20-19.
On Offense
Much like N.C. State’s Ryan Finley last week, Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford has yet to throw an interception through four games to go with eight touchdowns. Wolford also leads the Demon Deacons with 269 yards rushing, but Wake has four different players with at least 100 yards rushing. Arkeem Byrd ranks second on the team with 233 yards on the ground on a team-best average of 6.1 yards per carry.
Freshman wide receiver Greg Dortch leads the Demon Deacons with 20 catches for 242 yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Cam Serigne is also a very good receiver with four of his six catches so far this season going for touchdowns. Serigne missed last year’s contest in Tallahassee. Center Ryan Anderson, a junior, leads a Wake Forest offensive line that starts four juniors and a sophomore. That unit has allowed just six sacks this season.
On Defense
Defensive end Duke Ejiofor headlines the defensive front for the Demon Deacons. Ejiofor has just two sacks to this point, which is tied with linebacker Jaboree Williams for most on the team. Ejiofor also leads the team with seven tackles for loss. Replacing Marquel Lee was no small task for Wake Forest, but it is experienced with Williams and fellow senior Grant Dawson headlining that unit.
Redshirt sophomore Jessie Bates headlines a very underrated secondary unit, especially at safety. Bates, who had an interception last season against FSU, leads the team with 25 total tackles to go with an interception and a forced fumble. Fellow safety Cameron Glenn leads the Deacons with two interceptions. As a whole, Wake Forest is hold opponents to just a completion rate of 44 percent.
On Special Teams
In the kicking game, Mike Weaver continues to be dependable as a placekicker. Although he did miss a PAT, Weaver is a perfect 8-for-8 on field goals this year, but has not attempted a kick longer than 32 yards. Punter Dom Maggio is averaging better than 44 yards per punt with nine of his 24 boots traveling at least 50. With the exception of a 75-yard punt return by Bates, Wake hasn’t done much nor allowed much in the return game.
Summary
When you look at the recruiting stars, Wake Forest doesn’t hold a candle to Florida State, but the Demon Deacons have some very capable bodies. Ejiofor, Bates and Serigne are all likely to play in the NFL one day. Under head coach Dave Clawson, the Demon Deacons continue to be a well-coached team, but the improvement in quarterback play has allowed Wake to move past its offensive ineptness. The offensive line is improved and the defense doesn’t give up many points. If the Seminoles come to Winston-Salem unprepared, this is a game where they could be upset.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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