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Boldin sharp in Deacs' scrimmage
Standout receiver for Wake Forest hopes to break Moore's records
Journal Photo by Traci White
Running back Josh Adams is tackled but manages to hang onto the ball in Wake Forest's first scrimmage of the season.
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Published: August 10, 2008
Receiver D.J. Boldin of Wake Forest just happened to be talking to his good friend and ex-teammate Kenny Moore on the phone yesterday before the Deacons' first scrimmage of the preseason.
"That's my best friend," Boldin said. "I'm pretty sure he won't mind me breaking his records."
Boldin looked good in last night's scrimmage -- but maybe not that good.
After catching 26 passes in two seasons -- or 72 fewer than Moore caught last season to set the ACC single-season record -- Boldin has set his sights high for his senior season. While Moore is playing his rookie season with the Detroit Lions, Boldin will be trying to fill his cleats in the Deacons' passing game.
He got off to a good start in last night's scrimmage, catching six passes for 99 yards, including a 40-yarder from Riley Skinner for the first touchdown of the night.
"Oh man, it feels great to finally have the opportunity to be called upon," Boldin said afterward. "Riley and I, over the past couple of years, have built a nice relationship -- definitely at the Orange Bowl.
"Me and him have spent a lot of time together and have gotten to know each other. He's got a feel for me when I'm open, and when I'm not, so I trust his decisions when he throws me the ball and when he doesn't."
With fellow receivers Chip Brinkman, Jordan Williams and Terence Davis all missing the scrimmage with various injuries, Boldin was clearly the preferred target of Wake Forest's quarterbacks.
Boldin's experience was only one of the reasons.
"With him you see a guy who doesn't get shaken," Skinner said. "Being under the lights isn't something new to him. Not much fazes him.
"He's a big guy, and he can run. And he's probably got some of the best hands I've seen around here in a while."
Boldin, the brother of All-Pro receiver Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals, missed the 2006 season because of academic shortcomings. Because he redshirted his first season of 2004, he has only one more year of eligibility.
Boldin, at 6-0, played last season at around 225 pounds, which was more than Coach Jim Grobe wanted to see. So in preparation for his final season, Boldin lost around 20 pounds.
"He's had a great August so far and he's just really doing a nice job," Grobe said. "I'm happy for him.
"He's really worked hard, not only in the winter time but in the spring. He had a really good summer and his weight is down. He's running and catching the ball, and blocking well. He knows his assignments.
"He's fun right now."
Grobe was not happy to see Boldin fumble on the second drive by the Deacons' first team. Casey Hill and freshman Lovell Jackson also lost fumbles and Skinner was intercepted by Kyle Wilbur on his first pass of the night.
But Boldin did again show the ability to go across the middle and catch the ball in traffic.
"Tonight I took a big hit but I didn't let that affect me," Boldin said. "I came right back and caught a touchdown.
"I take a lot of pride in being able to catch the ball down the middle."
A crowd estimated at 500 showed up to see the Deacons scrimmage for about an hour and 45 minutes. Other than Boldin's touchdown catch from Skinner, the highlights were a 27-yard touchdown run by Kevin Harris, Skinner's 17-yard touchdown pass to Ben Wooster, Ryan McManus' 30-yard touchdown pass to freshman Chris Givens and 52-yard field goals by both Sam Swank and his backup, Shane Popham.
Josh Adams gained 55 yards on nine carries, Skinner completed 11 of 15 passes for 138 yards and Matt Robinson led the defense with five tackles.
"I thought the offense started really slow, but I liked the way our defense played," Grobe said. "I don't know if we ever got in much of a rhythm (on offense). We made some plays and had some individual good efforts, but that wouldn't win for us at Baylor.
"It's probably about where you typically are in your first scrimmage."
■ Dan Collins can be reached at 727-7323 or at dcollins@wsjournal.com.
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