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Updated: August 18, 5:15 PM ET Inexperience may haunt the Demon Deacons By Gregg Doyel Special to ESPN.com |
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons
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2002 overall record: 7-6 Conference record: 3-5 Returning starters: Offense: 3, Defense: 7, Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Tarence Williams (852 yds) Passing: James MacPherson (1,837 yds) Receiving: Fabian Davis (575 yds) Tackles: Brad White* (94) Sacks: Calvin Pace (8) Interceptions: 3 players tied (3 each) Outlook: The Deacons suffered heavy losses to graduation from last season's tough team, most notably DE and first-round NFL pick Calvin Pace, the entire offensive backfield and top two receivers as well as the rest of the defensive front. That's terrible news for a program that, with only two years under Grobe, hasn't had the time to recruit the quality depth Wake Forest will need to rebound this season. The offensive line has a solid returning base, and the backup tailback (Chris Barclay) and receiver (Jason Anderson) are high-quality players, but history says teams like Wake Forest are at their best when they are awfully experienced -- and this team is the opposite. Key game: Purdue comes to town on Sept. 13, and by then the Deacons probably will be 0-2 considering they open at Boston College and then play a loaded NC State team. A loss to Purdue could drop them to 0-3, a difficult hole to get out of, while a victory against a Big Ten opponent would be the confidence-booster a young team needs. Keep an eye on: The QB situation is unsteady. Last season's backup, sophomore Cory Randolph, will be given every opportunity to handle the position. If he falters, look for true freshman Ben Mauk, who threw for a national-record 6,540 yards and 76 touchdowns last season, to get an early look. It's a good year if. . .: Finishing seventh in the ACC would be a feat for the Deacons, because it would mean, in all likelihood, staying on top of Duke plus at least one other school. Anything more than that is asking a lot of this inexperienced, talent-shy roster -- though to bet against Grobe is to make a foolish bet. Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for the Charlotte Observer.
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