Winston-Salem, NC – Two long touchdowns by WR Carlos Hernandez and a bend-but-don’t break Demon Deacon defense highlighted the Wake Forest win over North Carolina and former Super Bowl HC Bill Belichick, 28-12. In an interview during the week, pundits pushed Belichick on the possibility of him leaving UNC to coach the New York Giants. His reply to that, “The only team I’m focused on this week is Wake Forest.”
To this, our friend, host and die-hard Demon Deacon alum, Jim “Bugaluga” Harton responded, “No one has ever been quoted saying that about Wake Forest!” Indicates the rep the Demon Deacs have risen up to since Jim’s WFU days back in the’70s. And he’s proud of it.
32,390 on hand for Military Appreciation
The Deacons scored one TD in each quarter. UNC scored with four FGs by Rece Verhoff. However, two of his other attempts by were blocked by the tough Wake specialty team. Of course, Jim’s former WFU roommate, celebrating Military Appreciation Night as a retired Army officer of 30+ years, Jay Yuengling, took credit for both blocks as claims, “he called them.” Flyovers and military marches paid tribute to the veterans in attendance. Medal of Honor Award winner Kyle White and his family were honored for his heroism in 2007 during Operation Enduring Freedom. He will enter the Wake Forest Executive MBA program.
Wake Forest turns mistake into points
On the Deacons first possession, QB Robby Ashford (who we’d seen at Auburn two years ago) fumbled the ball on his carry near midfield. Swift WR Carlos Hernandez (six catches,100 yards, two TDs) scooped the ball off the turf and raced down field to take the ball in for a 51-yard score. Carolina went on the attack from the 25. They drove to the Wake 24 for a first down as the first period ended.
Second quarter action
The Deac defense held their ground, and an illegal motion penalty against UNC forced a field goal. Verhoff made good on a 40-yarder to close the score, 7-3. Later in the period, a UNC punt put Wake Forest on their 11. RB Demond Claiborne fumbled and LB Khmori House recovered to put the Heels at the Wake Forest 31. Not only did the Deacs hold UNC to another FG attempt from the 39, they blocked it! Wake Forest took over on their 21.
Wake HC Jake Dickert, first year here after leaving Washington State, called for his team to focus on the ground attack. From what we’d seen so far, Ashford struggled with accuracy in the passing game. He finished with 15 of 25 attempts for 191 yards. Most on his incompletion’s went low to his intended receivers. Many completions came on tough catches.
“Wheels” in motion
On the other hand, our prime Guest Game Analyst (GGA), Wake Forest grad Benny (her father wanted a boy), friend of Jim’s and known to her WFU classmates as “Wheels”, was frustrated by her team’s play calling. She noted the offense ran the same running play up the middle to start every possession.
To her surprise, this time, the Deacs started with a pass. After that, they went primarily to the ground game. Eventually, Wake Forest out-rushed North Carolina 223 yards to 56 in the end. At the UNC 12, Claiborne went right up the middle for a touchdown run to take a 14-3 lead with 1:47 left in the second. Belichick’s Heels started from the 25. With 0:03 left, Verhoff booted a 57-yard FG. Jay Yuengling should have said something. Wake led 14-6 heading into the half. They would kick off to start the second.
“Wheels” was right!
The Deacs defense forced a three and out on the Tar Heels’ opening possession. They took over from their 33 and drove to the UNC 24. On a fourth and two. Dickert decided to go for the first. Wheels said aloud, ”Kick it. We can’t get one yard. Why do we expect to get two?” She called for a field goal. Her Deacs gave the ball up over on downs. Once again, the Deacs halted the Heels next drive to a fourth and eight at the 24. Verhoff put the ball up from 42 this time. They trailed now, 14-9.
Wake Forest answers fast!
It didn’t take long. After a five-yard run by Claiborne, Ashford connected with Hernandez to his right. He weaved, dodged and broke past UNC defenders for a 70-yard catch and run TD. He extended the lead to two scores, 21-9.
North Carolina started its next series from the 25. They proceeded all the way to the Wake Forest 18. There, DL Nuer Gatkouth sacked QB Gio Lopez for seven yards to force another Verhoff FG. Yuengling says he called for it again. Matteen Ibirogba blocked this one. Wake Forest led, 21-9, heading into the fourth.
Wake Forest TDs beat UNC FGs every period
Verhoff got to launch a 47-yard FG successfully with 11:03 left to narrow Wake’s lead. With 5:16 remaining to play, Wake stuck strictly with the run. Belichick had to use his three time-outs hoping his team would get the ball back. With 0:22 left, Ashby ran it around right end from the two to finalize the score, 28-12.
For Dickert, it was his first coaching win over another FBS team from North Carolina. Wake Forest’s record now stands at 7-3, 4-3. Carolina fell to 4-6, 2-4 in the ACC.
Update the Wake Forest nickname
With this our 15th Wake Forest game attended since 1980, the Deacons won for the 13th time! This record impresses many Demon Deacon stalwarts. For this win, I’m now known among them as “Thirteen and Almost Oh Koreivo!” I feel honored! Of course, with seven wins this season, the Deacs will be bowling in the post-season. They look forward to going, but in all cases, all their die-hards agree – they hope it’s somewhere warm!
For WEEK Thirteen and beyond
Wake Forest hosts FBS newcomer Delaware (5-5) of Conference USA next Saturday. They finish at Duke in an ACC clash to finish the regular season. Dickert gets a chance to defeat another in-state Carolina rival.
The Tar Heels will host Duke next week and finish at NC State. Belichick’s squad need to win both for bowl eligibility. That doesn’t mean the Super Bowl, of course.
We at Collegefootballfan.com take a short drive this week to downtown Nashville after road trips the last three weeks to Arkansas, Notre Dame and Wake Forest. We’ll see No. 12 Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2) host Kentucky (5-5, 2-5) in an SEC bout to stay on course for a hopeful CFP bid. No. 20 Tennessee (7-3, 4-3) looms the following week in Knoxville.
Speaking of Wake Forest and all FBS team histories, Read all about ours!!
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