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2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
Division(Atlantic)
Ranking
CoachesNo. NR
APNo. NR
Record0-0 (0-0 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeRunning/option
Base defense4-3
Home stadiumGroves Stadium
Seasons
← 2006
2008 →

The 2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is coached by Jim Grobe in his sixth season at the school and plays its home games at Groves Stadium. The team begins its season with an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game on Saturday, September 1, 2007 against Boston College. Wake Forest is playing its first season since winning the 2006 ACC championship, their first in 36 years.[1]

Preseason

[edit]

Following the most successful season in team history in 2006, the 2007 team is not predicted to win the ACC despite returning many offensive starters from 2006.[2] Some sports writers have stated that they believe 2006 to have been a fluke and that Wake Forest is not going to win as many games in 2007, especially because of the losses on defense, including the loss of linebacker Jon Abbate to the National Football League.[3]

Roster changes

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Recruiting

[edit]

Award candidates

[edit]

Season

[edit]

Roster

[edit]
Sources: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/roster?teamId=154 http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/wake/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/sig4a

Personnel

[edit]
Position Name First year at WFU
Head Coach Jim Grobe 2001
Wide Receivers Tim Billings 2006
Fullbacks / Tight ends Tom Elrod 2003
Defensive Ends Keith Henry 2001
Defensive coordinator / Secondary Dean Hood 2001
Linebackers Brad Lambert 2001
Offensive coordinator / Offensive line Steed Lobotzke 2001
Defensive tackles Ray McCartney 2001
Assistant Head Coach / Running backs / Kickers Billy Mitchell 2001
Quarterbacks Jeff Mullen 2001
Source: http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wake-m-footbl-mtt.html

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResult
09/02/20066:30 p.m.Syracuse*
ESPN 360W 20-10
09/09/200612:00 p.m.Duke
  • Groves Stadium
  • Winston-Salem, NC
LF SportsW 14-13
09/16/200612:00 p.m.at Connecticut*
ESPN 360W 24-13
09/23/20066:00 p.m.at Mississippi*
CSSW 27-3
09/30/20063:30 p.m.Liberty*
  • Groves Stadium
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ESPN 360W 34-14
10/07/200612:00 p.m.No. 12 Clemson
  • Groves Stadium
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ESPNL 27-17
10/14/200612:00 p.m.at NC State
LF SportsW 25-23
10/28/20063:30 p.m.at North CarolinaNo. 24
ESPNUW 24-17
11/04/20067:00 p.m.No. 16 Boston CollegeNo. 23
  • Groves Stadium
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ESPN2W 21-14
11/11/20068:00 p.m.at Florida StateNo. 19
ABCW 30-0
11/18/20067:00 p.m.No. 19 Virginia TechNo. 14
  • Groves Stadium
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ESPN2L 27-6
11/25/20067:45 p.m.at MarylandNo. 20
ESPNW 38-24
12/02/261:00 p.m.vs. No. 22 Georgia TechNo. 16
ABCW 9-6
01/02/20078:00 p.m.vs. No. 6 Louisville*No. 15
FoxL 24-13

Game capsules

[edit]

Syracuse

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Orange 7 3 0 0 10
Demon Deacons 7 3 3 7 20

In the first game of the season, the Deacons took on the Syracuse Orange. For the first half everytime the Deacons scored, like quarterback Ben Mauk's 14-yard pass to Willie Idlette, the Orange answered. The half ended with the teams tied 10-10. In the second half , despite throwing an interception early in the quarter, Mauk led the Deacons to an eventual field goal to give them a 13-10 lead in the third quarter. However, Mauk was injured prior the field goal, and would be lost for the rest of the season. He was replace by Riley Skinner who only threw one pass. In the fourth quarter, on the final scoring drive, the Deacons took nearly eight minutes off the clock with their running game, and scored on a 19-yard run by De'Angelo Bryant. The Deacons won the game 20-10, but had to make a decision on their quarterback.[4]

Duke

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Devils 3 7 3 0 13
Demon Deacons 0 0 7 7 14

With Riley Skinner given the go-ahead to take over as the starting quarterback, the Deacons had to take on visiting Duke, a team who had only won one game in 2005. Duke, however, took an early lead with a 27-yard field goal and a 47-yard touchdown pass to take a 10-0 lead at halftime. Finally answering, Skinner threw the first touchdown pass of his career, a 5-yard pass to John Tereshinski, to bring them within three. The Blue Devils kicked another field goal, this one of 39-yards to take a 13-7 lead into the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth, the Deacons took their first lead of the game on a 2-yard touchdown run by Micah Andrews. With a minute remaining, the Blue Devils started a drive that brought them to the Deacons 11-yard line. With six seconds remaining, they attempted a game winning field goal, however, Chip Vaughn was able to block the attempt to give the Deacons a 14-13 win.[5]

Connecticut

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Demon Deacons 14 0 0 10 24
Huskies 7 6 0 0 13

On their first road game of the season, the Deacons went to face the Connecticut Huskies. They took an early lead on an interception of D.J. Hernandez by Jeremy Thompson, who returned the ball 86-yards for the touchdown. Hernandez was able to bring the Huskies back and tied the game later in the quarter on a 6-yard pass, but Micah Andrews' 6-yard run for a touchdown gave the Deacons a lead they would never relinquish. In the second quarter, Lou Allen's 15-yard touchdown brought the Huskies within one after a missed extra point, to have the half end with the Deacons ahead 14-13. With no score in the third quarter, the Deacons padded their lead in the fourth with a 43-yard field goal by Sam Swank and another 6-yard touchdown run, this time by Richard Belton, to give the final score of the game as 24-13. With the win, the Deacons were 3-0 for the first time in 19 years.[6]

Mississippi

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Demon Deacons 7 3 17 0 27
Rebels 0 3 0 0 3

The Deacons visited Ole Miss for their fourth game, and once again relied on their running and kicking games to win a game. Despite not having Micah Andrews, De'Angelo Bryant took over for him and gave the Deacons an early lead on a 9-yard touchdown. With a 38-yard field goal by Swank, and the Rebels' only answer of a 26-yard field goal, the Deacons took a 10-3 lead into the half. In the third quarter the Deacons added two more rushing touchdowns and another field goal to pad their lead. With no score in the fourth, the Deacons won the game 27-3.[7]

Liberty

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Flames 0 7 0 7 14
Demon Deacons 10 17 0 7 34

The Deacons next took on the Division I FCS Liberty Flames. This time winning without only relying on their running game. Skinner threw for 218 yards including a 59-yard touchdown that that gave the Deacons a 27-7 lead at halftime. Although the Flames were able to score twice, the Deacons easily outscored and outplayed them, winning 34-14.[8]

Clemson

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#12 Tigers 3 0 0 24 27
Demon Deacons 7 7 3 0 17

The #12 ranked Clemson Tigers next came to visit the Deacons. Although the Tigers took an early lead with a field goal, a pair of touchdown passes, one by Skinner and the other on a trick play Nate Morton to Skinner, gave the Deacons a 14-3 lead at the half. In the third quarter, a 22-yard field goal by Swank gave the Deacons a 17-3 lead that wouldn't hold. On the first play of the fourth quarter a fumble on the Deacons' 35-yard line was returned by Gaines Adams for a touchdown. Three minutes later the Tigers tied the game on a 20-yard pass and then took a lead with a 72-yard touchdown run. With a final field goal, the Tigers ended the game, winning 27-17 and breaking the Deacons' winning streak.[9]

North Carolina State

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Demon Deacons 7 15 0 3 25
Wolfpack 0 14 0 9 23

The Deacons next visited the NC State Wolfpack. Taking an early lead with a touchdown run and a 51-yard field goal, the Wolfpack came back and scored two touchdowns to give them a 14-10 lead. However, after Swank kicked a 53-yard field goal, the Deacon defense forced a safety with a minute left in the half. Skinner was able to capitalize with a 57-yard touchdown pass to Nate Morton to take a 22-14 lead into the half. In the fourth quarter, with the Wolfpack down five after a field goal, Swank kicked another 53-yard field goal to give the Deacons an eight point advantage. With a touchdown with five minutes remaining, the Wolfpack brought the score within two points, however failed on the two point conversion attempt. After holding the Deacons, the Wolfpack moved to the 40-yard line before a pass intercepted by Josh Gattis ended the game. The Deacons won the game 25-23 and were 6-1 for the first time since 1979.[10] After the game the team was ranked

North Carolina

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#24 Demon Deacons 7 7 0 10 24
Tar Heels 7 7 3 0 17

The Deacons next visited the North Carolina Tar Heels. After a blocked punt was returned for a touchdown by the Deacons, the Tar Heels were able to tie the game with a 1-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, after another touchdown by the Deacons, the Tar Heels once again answered and the teams were tied 14-14 at the half. In the third quarter the Tar Heels took their first lead with a 35-yard field goal. The Deacons wouldn't answer until early in the fourth quarter on a Swank field goal. They took their final lead on a Skinner pass of 39-yards. Down by a touchdown, the Tar Heels drove to scoring range, however, an errant pass on the final play of the game was intercepted by Jon Abbate to seal the win for the Deacons, 24-17. With the win the team was 7-1 for only the third time in school history.[11]

Boston College

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#16 Eagles 0 7 7 0 14
#23 Demon Deacons 7 7 7 0 21

The #16 ranked Boston College Eagles next faced the Deacons. The Deacons took the lead midway through the first quarter on a 9-yard reverse by Willie Idlette. After a drive that ended on the first play of the second quarter gave the Eagles a 1-yard touchdown run, the Deacons answered later in the quarter with a 46-yard touchdown pass by Skinner. On the Eagles' next drive, quarterback Matt Ryan threw an interception in the endzone that ended their scoring chance. The half ended with the Deacons winning 14-7. On the Deacons first play of the second half, after holding the Eagles on a fourth down attempt, Kevin Marion ran for an 81-yard touchdown. Ryan answered later on a 2-yard scramble to put the Eagles down 21-14 at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth, the Eagles, after missing a 40-yard field goal, forced an interception from Skinner. On their drive, however, after an 11-yard run, L.V. Whitworth fumbled the ball to end the drive. On their last chance in the game, after converting a fourth down, Ryan threw a second interception in the endzone to Patrick Ghee, to seal the win for the Deacons, 21-14. The Deacons beat a ranked team for the first time in nine chances, were 8-1 for the first time since 1944, and tied a school record for wins in a season.[12]

Florida State

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Demon Deacons 3 17 10 0 30
Seminoles 0 0 0 0 0

The Deacons next went to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles, a team the Deacons hadn't beaten in Tallahassee since 1959 and who they had lost to 14 straight games. The Deacons dominated the game, however, and had a 20-0 lead at halftime. With both Seminole quarterbacks throwing two interceptions each, one of which was returned for a 48-yard touchdown, the Deacons held the Seminoles scoreless for the first time at home since Bobby Bowden started as their coach. With a final score of 30-0, the Deacons won a school record ninth game in the season.[13]

Virginia Tech

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Hokies 7 0 17 3 27
#14 Demon Deacons 0 3 3 0 6

The #19 Virginia Tech Hokies next visited the Deacons. The Hokies took an early lead on a 49-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. After losing ACC-leading rusher Branden Ore in the first quarter, the Hokies didn't score again until after the half. The Deacons, however, couldn't take advantage, and only scored a field goal to trail 7-3 at halftime. Early in the third quarter, the Hokies scored again on a long pass of 53-yards. The Deacons answered with another field goal, but the Hokies kept an 11-point lead after their own field goal. After a fumble was returned by the Hokies for 35-yards, the Deacons never answered again. The Hokies padded their lead with a fourth quarter field goal, to give them the win, 27-6. With the loss, the Deacons were unable to clinch the Coastal Division of the ACC, however still had a chance to against Maryland.[14]

Maryland

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#20 Demon Deacons 7 14 10 7 38
Terrapins 7 7 3 7 24

The Deacons visited the Maryland Terrapins for their final game of the regular season and with a chance to win the ACC Coastal Division. The Terrapins took a touchdown lead midway through the first quarter, however a Kevin Harris 2-yard touchdown run answered for the Deacons. The Deacons then scored two touchdowns, including a 49-yard pass from Skinner to Willie Idlette to take the lead. The Terrapins scored late in the half to bring the halftime score to 21-14 in favor of the Deacons. In the third quarter both teams traded field goals, but another Harris touchdown run gave the Deacons another two touchdown lead. In the fourth, both teams scored short touchdowns, but the early lead was enough for the Deacons who won 38-24. With the win, the Deacons won the Coastal Division of the ACC and advanced to the ACC Championship game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.[15]

ACC Championship Game

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#16 Demon Deacons 0 3 0 6 9
#22 Yellow Jackets 3 0 0 3 6

The Deacons next went to Jacksonville to face the #22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second annual ACC Championship game. Both teams' defenses dominated the game, as each held the opposing offenses to under 300 yards for the game. The Deacons defense intercepted two Reggie Ball passes to help their effort. In the first half, both teams kicked field goals to go to halftime tied at 3. Early in the fourth quarter the Yellow Jackets took another lead with a second field goal to take a 6-3 lead. However, the Deacons came back and kicked two more field goals, the second with three minutes remaining in the game, to win the game 9-6. The winning score was the lowest for a conference champion ever. With the win, the Deacons won their second ACC Championship and won the ACC's spot in the BCS.[16]

Orange Bowl

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#6 Cardinals 0 10 0 14 24
#15 Demon Deacons 0 3 7 3 13
Main article: 2007 Orange Bowl

In the Deacons first BCS bowl game they went to the Orange Bowl to play the #6 Louisville Cardinals. Louisville was the winner of the Big East. The Deacons took an early lead with a field goal, however the Cardinals answered with their own field goal and a touchdown in the first quarter to take a 10-3 lead to halftime. In the third quarter, Skinner tied the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass and took a three point lead in the fourth after a 36-yard field goal. The lead didn't last too long, as the Cardinals scored a quick touchdown and another one later in the quarter. With the scores the Cardinals took a 24-13 win. Even with the loss, the Deacons finished their best season in school history.[17]

Post Season

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Awards

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Conference

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Upon winning the conference many Deacons' players and coach Jim Grobe were awarded conference honors. Grobe was unanimously named the ACC Coach of the Year by the media.[18] Along with Grobe's honor, Riley Skinner was singled out by the media and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year.[19] Along with the individual awards, nine players, five on the first team, one on the second, and three honorable mention, a Wake Forest record, were named to the All-ACC team.[20]

National

[edit]

Two players and once again Jim Grobe were honored as finalists for national awards. Zac Selmon was named as a Wuerffel Trophy finalist,[21] Sam Swank was named as a semifinalist for both the Lou Groza Award and the Ray Guy Award,[22] and Grobe was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year.[23] Although none won, Grobe was named coach of the year by five other organizations,[24][25][26][27] including the AP award and the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award.

Along with the award winners, six players were named by four sources to their All-America teams. Sam Swank was named to the first teams of Rivals.com,[28] ESPN,[29] and Sports Illustrated.[30] Also named by Sports Illustrated were Steve Vallos also on the first team and Jon Abbate and Josh Gattis as honorable mentions. Vallos was also named by the Sporting News to their team.[31] Finally, Jeff Griffin on the second team and Riley Skinner on the third team, were named by the Sporting News to their Freshman All-American team.[32]

Roster changes

[edit]

Ten former starters left due to graduation or being drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft. Former quarterback Ben Mauk, after losing his starting position due to an injury, but had eligibility left, was able to graduate and left to pursue his Masters degree, at the University of Cincinnati, where he has been even more successful than during his career at Wake Forest.[33] Nine other players went on to the NFL, including Josh Gattis who was selected in the fifth round of the draft by Jacksonville and Steve Vallos who was selected in the seventh round by Seattle.[34] After the season, former recruit, Dennis Godfrey enrolled with the new class.[35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wake Forest Wins First ACC Title Since 1970". Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  2. ^ "Wake Forest Wins First ACC Title Since 1970". Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  3. ^ "2007 ACC football preview". Retrieved 2007-09-01.
  4. ^ "Costly win: Wake doubles up 'Cuse, but loses QB Mauk". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  5. ^ "Blocked FG on final play dooms Duke in loss to Wake". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  6. ^ "WAKE FOREST 24, CONNECTICUT 13". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  7. ^ "Wake Forest 27, Mississippi 3". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  8. ^ "Wake whips Liberty, 5-0 for first time since '87". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  9. ^ "Down 14 in the fourth, Clemson rallies past Wake". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  10. ^ "Late INT halts NC State rally, preserves win for Wake". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  11. ^ "Wake holds off UNC; Deacons off to best start since '79". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  12. ^ "Wake denies BC late, holds on for monumental program win". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  13. ^ "Wake gets historic 9th win, shuts out Noles in Tallahassee". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  14. ^ "No. 19 Virginia Tech knocks down No. 14 Wake Forest". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  15. ^ "Deacons tops Terps to cap best regular season in Wake history". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  16. ^ "Skinner, Swank lift Wake to ACC title; next stop: Orange Bowl". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  17. ^ "Louisville overcomes mistakes, takes down Wake Forest". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  18. ^ "Grobe Unanimously Selected ACC Coach Of The Year". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  19. ^ "Skinner Voted ACC Rookie of the Year". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  20. ^ "Wake Forest Places School Record Nine On All-ACC Team". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  21. ^ "Selmon Named Finalist For Wuerffel Trophy". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  22. ^ "Swank Chosen As Semifinalist For Lou Groza and Ray Guy Awards". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  23. ^ "Grobe Chosen As Finalist For Eddie Robinson Coach Of The Year Award". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  24. ^ "Grobe Selected National Coach Of The Year By Two Sources". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  25. ^ "Grobe Voted National Coach Of The Year By His Peers". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  26. ^ "Grobe wins AP Coach of the Year". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  27. ^ "Grobe Named Bobby Dodd Coach Of The Year". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  28. ^ "Swank Named Rivals.Com First Team All-American". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  29. ^ "Swank Named ESPN First Team All-American". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  30. ^ "Four Deacons Earn All-America Honors From Sports Illustrated". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  31. ^ "2006 Sporting News All-America Team". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  32. ^ "Griffin, Skinner Named Freshman All-Americans". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  33. ^ "Mauk Decides Not To Return For 2007 Season". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  34. ^ "Nine Deacons Headed To The NFL". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  35. ^ "Godfrey Enrolls At Wake Forest". Retrieved 2007-07-18.
[edit]
Preceded by Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
2006 		Succeeded by

[[Category:2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|Wake Forest]] [[Category:Wake Forest Demon Deacons football|2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons team]]

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