2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
team represented Wake Forest University
during the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football season
. It was Wake Forest's 56th season
as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC).
The Demon Deacons were led by eighth-year head coach Jim Grobe
. Wake Forest played its home games at BB&T Field
. The Deacons began their season on August 28 at Baylor
. A win in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl
against UConn
gave the Deacons twenty wins over the last two seasons.
The team is finished 8–5 overall and 4–4 in ACC play, and beat Navy in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl
on December 20.
Zach MacDowell enrolled Coastal Carolina University
in January, and will play there starting in 2008.
Running back
Lucas Caparelli was dismissed from the university after an off the field incident in January.
season, The Deacons had two assistant coaches accept other coaching positions. Defensive Coordinator
Dean Hood accepted the head coaching job at Eastern Kentucky
. Quarterbacks coach Jeff Mullen left the Deacons to assume the Offensive Coordinator
position at West Virginia
.
threw for three touchdowns, including two to Chip Brinkman. Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass added touchdown runs in a lopsided 41-13 scoreline. Alphonso Smith and Alex Frye notched interceptions for the Deacons, who won their first ever game in the state of Texas.
led the Deacons down the field in 53 seconds to set up Swank's game winning field goal.
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 National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
. It was Wake Forest's 56th season
2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season
The 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season was the 56th season that the Atlantic Coast Conference participated in National Collegiate Athletic Association college football...
as a member 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...
(ACC).
The Demon Deacons were led by eighth-year 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...
. Wake Forest played its home games at BB&T Field
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....
. The Deacons began their season on August 28 at Baylor
2008 Baylor Bears football team
The 2008 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team was led by head coach Art Briles in his first year in the position. They played their home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas....
. A win in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl
2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl
The 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl, one of 27 non-BCS bowl games played after the 2007 NCAA football regular season, took place on Saturday, December 29, 2007 with a 1:00PM EST kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina...
against UConn
2007 Connecticut Huskies football team
The 2007 Connecticut Huskies football team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2007 college football season as a member of the Big East Conference. The team was coached by Randy Edsall and played its home games at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut...
gave the Deacons twenty wins over the last two seasons.
The team is finished 8–5 overall and 4–4 in ACC play, and beat Navy in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl
2008 EagleBank Bowl
The 2008 EagleBank Bowl was the inaugural edition of the new college football bowl game, and was played at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, DC. The game, formerly known as the Congressional Bowl before naming rights were purchased by EagleBank, started at 11 AM US EST on...
on December 20.
Roster changes
QuarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Zach MacDowell enrolled Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University is an independent, state-supported, liberal arts university in Conway, South Carolina, USA, located eight miles west of Myrtle Beach. Founded in 1954, Coastal became an independent university in 1993. The University enrolls approximately 8,300 students on its campus...
in January, and will play there starting in 2008.
Running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Lucas Caparelli was dismissed from the university after an off the field incident in January.
Recruiting
On National Signing Day, the Demon Deacons received letters of intent from 17 players.- Andrew Parker TE 6-5 225 Jacksonville, FL Bartram Trail
- Terence Davis WR 6-1 180 Lilburn, GA Brookwood
- Gabe Irby OL 6-3 315 Mt. Airy, GA Habersham Central
- Ted Stachitas QB 6-3 185 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Nease
- Derricus Ellis DE 6-2 225 Rome, GA Darlington School
- Joey Ehrmann LB 6-4 210 Baltimore, MD Gilman
- Ramon Booi DL 6-6 330 Jacksonville, FL Nease
- Scott Betros LB 6-1 220 Jacksonville, FL Bolles School
- Riley Haynes LB 6-1 225 Jacksonville, FL Nease
- Kevin Smith DE 6-4 210 Plano, TX East
- Lovell Jackson RB 5-10 170 Tampa, FL Plant
- Garrick Williams OL 6-4 314 Columbia, MO Rock Bridge
- J.T. Dixon TE 6-4 230 Chandler, AZ Hargrave Military
- Chance Raines OL 6-2 270 Jacksonville, FL Bolles School
- Joe Looney OL 6-3 315 Lake Worth, FL Lake Worth
- Kenny Okoro CB 6-0 185 Greensboro, NC Dudley
- Chris Givens RB 6-0 200 Wylie, TX Wylie
Schedule
Roster
Bold indicates started last game Quarterbacks
Running Back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... s
Wide Receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... s
Fullbacks Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Tight End Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... s
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Offensive Linemen
Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... s
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... s
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Safeties
Defensive End Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... s
Defensive Tackles
Place Kicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... s
Punters
Long Snappers Long snapper In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
Kick Returner Kick returner In American and Canadian football, a kick returner is the player on special teams who is primarily responsible to catch kickoffs and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the ball is in the... s
Punt Returner Punt returner Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while... s
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Coaching staff
After the 20072007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
season, The Deacons had two assistant coaches accept other coaching positions. Defensive Coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Dean Hood accepted the head coaching job at Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
. Quarterbacks coach Jeff Mullen left the Deacons to assume the Offensive Coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
position at West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
.
| 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 | |
| Secondary | Tim Billings | 2006 | |
| Quarterbacks | Tom Elrod | 2003 | |
| Defensive Ends | Keith Henry | 2001 | |
| Defensive Coordinator | Brad Lambert | 2001 | |
| Offensive coordinator / Offensive line | Steed Lobotzke | 2001 | |
| Defensive Tackles | Ray McCartney | 2001 | |
| Assistant Head Coach / Running backs / Kickers | Billy Mitchell | 2001 | |
| Tight Ends / Fullbacks | Steve Russ | 2008 | |
| Wide Receivers | Brian Knorr | 2008 | |
| Source: http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wake-m-footbl-mtt.html | |||
Baylor
In front of a national television audience, Riley SkinnerRiley Skinner
Riley Skinner is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Wake Forest.-College career:...
threw for three touchdowns, including two to Chip Brinkman. Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass added touchdown runs in a lopsided 41-13 scoreline. Alphonso Smith and Alex Frye notched interceptions for the Deacons, who won their first ever game in the state of Texas.
Ole Miss
Sam Swank's 42 yd FG with three seconds remaining gave Wake Forest a thrilling 30-28 win over Ole Miss. In a game with several lead changes, Ole Miss took the lead with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Wake quarterback Riley SkinnerRiley Skinner
Riley Skinner is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Wake Forest.-College career:...
led the Deacons down the field in 53 seconds to set up Swank's game winning field goal.
Florida State
In a game that featured no touchdowns, Sam Swank made four field goals to lead the Demon Deacons to a 12-3 win in Tallahassee. The win was the Deacons' second consecutive win in Tallahassee, and the third straight overall over the Seminoles. The Wake Forest defense was stout, allowing Florida State under 250 yards of offense, and forcing seven turnovers, including five interceptions.Navy
Eric Kettani ran for a career-high 175 yards and backup quarterback Jarod Bryant scored the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter, as Navy came into Winston-Salem and upset Wake Forest 24-17.Clemson
Riley Skinner's 7 yard touchdown pass to DJ Boldin with 5:28 to go gave the Deacons a 12-7 win against Clemson. In a defensive battle, the Deacons' defense managed to hold Clemson to less than one yard per carry. Wake Forest dominated the game statistically but were unable to capitalize on several scoring chances. The sole turnover in the game was a Cullen Harper pass intercepted by Alphonso Smith, who tied a school record with his 17th career interception. Riley Skinner also threw for 186 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-34 passing, and also added 73 yards on the ground.Maryland
Chris Turner completed 28-of-41 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown, and Maryland knocked off another top-25 team with a 26-0 thumping of No. 21 Wake Forest.Miami
Wake Forest was not able to maintain a halftime lead in falling against Miami. The Deacons were unable to mount much offense in the second half, and a Robert Marve QB sneak in the third quarter ended up being the game-winner. Fullback Mike Rinfrette scored the lone Deacons touchdown on a one yard run on Wake's first offensive series.Duke
In a back and forth affair, Wake Forest held off Duke 33-30 in an overtime battle. Alphonso Smith blocked a punt for a safety and had two interceptions for the Deacons, including one in overtime to end the game. Riley Skinner had a touchdown pass to DJ Boldin, and also scored on a quarterback sneak. The Blue Devils had their chance to win at the end of regulation, but missed a 42 yard field goal that would have won it. Aaron Curry led the Deacons with 16 tackles.Virginia
On homecoming weekend in Winston-Salem, the Demon Deacons dazzled fans en route to a 28-3 halftime advantage. Riley Skinner threw two touchdown passes in the first half, including a 58 yard strike to Devon Brown. Kevin Patterson gave the Wake defense their first touchdown of the season, as e brought back a UVA pass for a 53 yard touchdown. Wake Forest turned more conservative in the second half, and allowed UVA to pick up a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, but the lead was safe, and the Deacons claimed bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season.NC State
Russell Wilson threw the game-winning touchdown to Anthony Hill will ten minutes remaining, and NC State held off Wake Forest 21-17 in Raleigh. DJ Boldin had a hand in both Wake touchdowns, throwing a pass to Marshall Williams for a 64 yard touchdown, and catching a 7 yarder of his own. Williams had his first career 100 yard receiving day, grabbing 7 balls for 116 yards.Boston College
Backup quarterback Dominique Davis scored on a one yard quarterback sneak in the final minutes to send Wake Forest to their second straight close defeat. In a defensive battle, the Demon Deacon defense scored two touchdowns, and a punt block set up the third. Kevin Patterson and Kyle Wilbur returned fumbles for touchdowns, and Rich Belton caught a 1 yard touchdown pass from Riley Skinner. This game also saw the return of kicker Sam Swank, who missed several weeks with injury.Vanderbilt
Three different Deacons ran for touchdowns as Wake held off Vanderbilt 23-10 in each team's regular season finale. Brandon Pendergrass, Kevin Harris, and Rich Belton got in the endzone, and Alphonso Smith tied the ACC record for career interceptions. The win guaranteed Wake Forest their third consecutive winning season.Navy
Wake Forest scored 29 points in the last 31 minutes of action to win the inaugural EagleBank Bowl, and took revenge on Navy for a regular season defeat. Josh Adams got in the end zone twice for Wake Forest, who also got touchdowns from Ben Wooster and Rich Belton. Alphonso Smith intercepted a second quarter pass to break Dre Bly's ACC record for career interceptions. The Deacons outrushed the potent Navy option attack, led by a career high 136 yards from Kevin Harris, and Riley Skinner set a FBS bowl record by completing eleven passes without an incompletion.Conference
- All-ACC First Team
- DJ Boldin (WRWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
) - Aaron CurryAaron Curry (American football)-Seattle Seahawks:On August 8, 2009, Curry signed a six-year, $60 million contract including $34 million guaranteed, the most money ever guaranteed to a non-quarterback rookie in NFL history....
(LBLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
) - Alphonso SmithAlphonso SmithAlphonso Smith, Jr. is a professional football cornerback for the Detroit Lions. Smith played college football at Wake Forest...
(CBCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
)- All-ACC Honorable Mention
- Boo Robinson (DEDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
) - Riley SkinnerRiley SkinnerRiley Skinner is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Wake Forest.-College career:...
(QBQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
)
National
- Aaron Curry (LBLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
)- 2008 Butkus Award Winner, 2nd Team AP All-American, 2nd Team Sporting News All-American, 2nd Team Rivals.com All-American - Alphonso Smith (CBCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
)- 1st Team AP All-American, 2nd Team Sporting News All-American, 2nd Team Rivals.com All-American
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Wk 15 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | #23 | #20 | #20 | #18 | #16 | #25 | #21 | #21 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Coaches | #23 | #20 | #19 | #18 | #15 | #25 | #21 | #19 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
| Harris | Not released | #25 | #22 | #21 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | ||||
| BCS | Not released | NR | NR | NR | #24 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |||||||