2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
team represented Wake Forest University
during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe
, in his fifth season at the school, and played its home games at Groves Stadium
(now known as BB&T Field). The Deacons finished the regular season with a 10–2 record, giving them the first 10-win season in their history, and won the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
. With a win in the conference championship game, Wake Forest's first conference championship in 36 years, they represented the ACC in the Orange Bowl
. The team ended the season with an 11-3 record and a number 17 ranking in the nation. The team and its star linebacker Jon Abbate
would become the subject of a 2011 feature film, The 5th Quarter
.
, Tim Billings was hired as his replacement. Billings was touted as having 23-years of experience at the college football level, including a six-year stint as head coach of Southeast Missouri State
.
. Finally, Ray Guy Award
-winning punter Ryan Plackemeier
also graduated.
Along with the award candidates, six players were named as pre-season All-Americans on three lists. Andrews and Vallos on the first team and Abbate and Gattis on the second team were named so by the Sporting News, Abbate and Vallos were named on the first team by the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, and finally, Vallos on the third team and Abbate, Gattis, Matt Robinson, and Swank as honorable mentions by Street & Smith
.
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.
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.
started as their coach. With a final score of 30-0, the Deacons won a school record ninth game in the season.
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.
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
.
. 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.
finalist, Sam Swank was named as a semifinalist for both the Lou Groza Award
and the Ray Guy Award
, and Grobe was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
. Although none won, Grobe was named coach of the year by five other organizations, 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
, ESPN
, and Sports Illustrated
. 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. 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.
. Mauk, who had to undergo extensive reconstructive surgery on his injured throwing arm, graduated and then left to pursue a master's degree. He took advantage of a now-repealed NCAA rule allowing graduate students with remaining academic eligibility to transfer and gain immediate eligibility at their new school, and finished his college career as the starting quarterback at the University of Cincinnati
. 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
.
After the season, former recruit Dennis Godfrey enrolled with the new class.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wake Forest plays its home football games at BB&T Field....
team represented Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe
Jim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University...
, in his fifth season at the school, and played its home games at Groves Stadium
BB&T Field
This article is about the football stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. For the baseball stadium also in Winston-Salem, see BB&T Ballpark. For the baseball stadium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, see BB&T Coastal Field....
(now known as BB&T Field). The Deacons finished the regular season with a 10–2 record, giving them the first 10-win season in their history, and won the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. With a win in the conference championship game, Wake Forest's first conference championship in 36 years, they represented the ACC in the Orange Bowl
2007 Orange Bowl
The 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl game is a college football bowl game. It is part of the 2006-2007 Bowl Championship Series of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Orange Bowl was first played in 1935. The 2007 game was played on January 2, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens,...
. The team ended the season with an 11-3 record and a number 17 ranking in the nation. The team and its star linebacker Jon Abbate
Jon Abbate
Jon Abbate is an American football linebacker, most recently on the roster of the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League...
would become the subject of a 2011 feature film, The 5th Quarter
The 5th Quarter
-Plot:Based on actual events, when 15-year-old Luke Abbate dies in a car accident caused by a teenage driver after lacrosse practice in February 2006, Luke's older brother Jon Abbate is motivated to have the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team be successful in their upcoming season.-Cast:*Ryan...
.
Pre-Season
After finishing 4-7 in 2005 and in a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Division of the ACC, the Deacons were picked in the pre-season to finish last in the division by the ACC media, among others, making the Deacons' run at the ACC title largely unexpected.Coaching change
After Deacons' wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman left to take an assistant coaching position at Virginia TechVirginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
, Tim Billings was hired as his replacement. Billings was touted as having 23-years of experience at the college football level, including a six-year stint as head coach of Southeast Missouri State
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks are the athletic teams for Southeast Missouri State University, located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Southeast has been a member of NCAA Division I and compete in the Ohio Valley Conference....
.
Roster changes
Although the Deacons returned an ACC high 18 starters from the 2005 team, they lost four key starters to graduation. On defense, the only starter to leave was nose tackle, Goryal Scales. On offense, three starters graduated, including wide receiver Chris Davis, quarterback Cory Randolph, and running back and ACC Player of the Year award-winner Chris BarclayChris Barclay
Chris Barclay is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Wake Forest...
. Finally, Ray Guy Award
Ray Guy Award
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's top punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Mississippi and an all-pro player for the Oakland Raiders.-Criteria:...
-winning punter Ryan Plackemeier
Ryan Plackemeier
Ryan Steven Plackemeier is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
also graduated.
Recruiting
During recruiting, the Deacons signed 15 new players for the team, including a number of three-star recruits and Josh Adams, a top-10 ranked running back. The team added eight players on offense, six on defense and a kicker, however before the season began, tight end recruit, Dennis Godfrey, decided not to enroll to the school.Award candidates
Five Demon Deacon players were named to pre-season national award watchlists:- Jon AbbateJon AbbateJon Abbate is an American football linebacker, most recently on the roster of the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League...
- Chuck Bednarik AwardChuck Bednarik AwardThe Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States... - Micah AndrewsMicah AndrewsMicah Andrews is an American Football running back for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He was named on the 2004 ACC All-Freshman team as well as being named the ACC Rookie of the Week on September 20...
- Doak Walker AwardDoak Walker AwardThe Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker... - Josh GattisJosh GattisJosh Gattis is an American football safety who is currently a free agent.Gattis was born in Durham, North Carolina. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wake Forest. He has also played for the Chicago Bears.-External...
- Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986... - Sam Swank - Lou Groza AwardLou Groza AwardThe Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza.-Winners:...
- Steve VallosSteve VallosSteve Vallos is an American football guard and center for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
Along with the award candidates, six players were named as pre-season All-Americans on three lists. Andrews and Vallos on the first team and Abbate and Gattis on the second team were named so by the Sporting News, Abbate and Vallos were named on the first team by the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, and finally, Vallos on the third team and Abbate, Gattis, Matt Robinson, and Swank as honorable mentions by Street & Smith
Street & Smith
Street & Smith or Street & Smith Publications, Inc. was a New York City publisher specializing in inexpensive paperbacks and magazines referred to as pulp fiction and dime novels. They also published comic books and sporting yearbooks...
.
Roster
Wide Receiver
Center
Offensive Guard
Offensive Tackle
Tight End
Quarterback
Tailback
Fullback
Defensive End
Defensive Tackle
Cornerback
Linebacker
Safety
Long Snapper
Punter
Placekicker
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
| Position | Name | First year at WFU | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Jim Grobe Jim Grobe Jim Grobe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at Wake Forest University, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1995 to 2000, Grobe served as the head coach at Ohio University... |
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
Syracuse
In the first game of the season, the Deacons took on the Syracuse Orange. For the first half, every time 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, before the field goal, Mauk suffered a catastrophic injury to his right arm when two Syracuse players fell on the arm as he was attempting to recover a fumble. He was replaced 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.Duke
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.Connecticut
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.Mississippi
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.Liberty
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.Clemson
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 AdamsGaines Adams
Gaines Adams was an American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round in the 2007 NFL Draft and in 2009 was traded to the Chicago Bears...
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.
North Carolina State
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. After the game the team was rankedNorth Carolina
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.Boston College
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 RyanMatt Ryan (American football)
Matthew Thomas "Matt" Ryan , nicknamed "Matty Ice," is the starting American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...
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.
Florida State
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 BowdenBobby Bowden
Robert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons...
started as their coach. With a final score of 30-0, the Deacons won a school record ninth game in the season.
Virginia Tech
Maryland
The Deacons visited the Maryland Terrapins for their final game of the regular season and with a chance to win the ACC Atlantic 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 Atlantic Division of the ACC and advanced to the ACC Championship game against the Coastal Division champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.ACC Championship Game
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 BallReggie Ball
Reginald Lewis Ball is an American football Quarterback who currently plays for the Bricktown Brawlers of the Indoor Football League He was originally signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
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
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
.
Orange Bowl
In the Deacons' first BCS bowl game they went to the Orange Bowl to play the #6 Louisville Cardinals, winners of the Big EastBig East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
. 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.
Conference
Upon winning the conference many Deacons players and coach Jim Grobe received conference honors. Grobe was unanimously named the ACC Coach of the Year by the media. Along with Grobe's honor, Riley Skinner was singled out by the media and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year. 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.National
Two players and once again Jim Grobe were honored as finalists for national awards. Zac Selmon was named as a Wuerffel TrophyWuerffel Trophy
The Wuerffel Trophy is an award given annually by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, Florida to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement." It is named for Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, a former football...
finalist, Sam Swank was named as a semifinalist for both the Lou Groza Award
Lou Groza Award
The Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza.-Winners:...
and the Ray Guy Award
Ray Guy Award
The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's top punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Mississippi and an all-pro player for the Oakland Raiders.-Criteria:...
, and Grobe was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State who holds the second best record for most Division I wins with 408 behind only Joe...
. Although none won, Grobe was named coach of the year by five other organizations, including the AP
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
award and the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award
The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award is an annual college football award given to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The award is named for Bobby Dodd, longtime head football coach at Georgia Tech and was...
.
Along with the award winners, six players were named by four sources to their All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
teams. Sam Swank was named to the first teams of Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
, ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, and Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
. 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. 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.
Roster changes
Ten former starters left due to graduation or being drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. Mauk, who had to undergo extensive reconstructive surgery on his injured throwing arm, graduated and then left to pursue a master's degree. He took advantage of a now-repealed NCAA rule allowing graduate students with remaining academic eligibility to transfer and gain immediate eligibility at their new school, and finished his college career as the starting quarterback at the University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats football
The Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as...
. Nine other players went on to the NFL, including Josh Gattis
Josh Gattis
Josh Gattis is an American football safety who is currently a free agent.Gattis was born in Durham, North Carolina. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wake Forest. He has also played for the Chicago Bears.-External...
who was selected in the fifth round of the draft by Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Steve Vallos
Steve Vallos
Steve Vallos is an American football guard and center for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
who was selected in the seventh round by Seattle
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
.
After the season, former recruit Dennis Godfrey enrolled with the new class.