College Sports
Email
Print
Gearing up to tame Tigers
Recent losses still painful for Deacons
Journal Photo by Jennifer Rotenizer
Coach Jim Grobe says that the Deacons need to get Brandon Pendergrass and the rest of the running game clicking.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 8, 2008
Coach Jim Grobe of Wake Forest has been around too long to expect practice to make his team perfect against Clemson in Thursday's game at BB&T Field.
But he does think that it will make the 21st-ranked Deacons better.
"I couldn't be happier," Grobe said of his team's work since a home loss to Navy on Sept. 27. "We've practiced great. I don't think we could practice any better.
"I wish we could go back and maybe change some things before Navy, but as far as the practices for this one, they could not be better."
Grobe's observation came with a caveat.
"We'll see if that's enough," Grobe said.
Clemson has marred what otherwise have been the two most successful seasons in Wake Forest history. In 2006, the Tigers rallied from a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter to win 27-17. In 2007, they gave the Deacons their only real thumping in a 44-10 romp in Death Valley.
"We went down there last year and got embarrassed," Grobe said of his fifth loss to Clemson in seven games. "They basically owned us."
Offensive guard Russell Nenon said that it was an experience he only wishes he could forget. The Tigers out-gained the Deacons 411 yards to 287, C.J. Spiller returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, and the game was decided well before halftime.
"Obviously going down to Clemson last year and losing so badly is going to stick in my mind for a long time," Nenon said.
Receiver D.J. Boldin said that the memory of last year's game at Clemson and the more recent bitter loss to Navy made for some heated practices during the off week. The Deacons, after taking Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off last week, practiced in full pads Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
A point of emphasis for offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke was to improve the rushing attack.
The Deacons, Nenon said, remain convinced that they can run the football better. Wake Forest currently ranks 11th in the ACC with 84.8 rushing yards a game.
"I'm a little sore still," Nenon said. "The intensity just felt like the first day of camp all over again. (Lobotzke) drilled and drilled and drilled and drilled.
"It's every lineman's dream to hear a coach say, ‘We're going to run the ball. We will run the ball.' That's why you play offensive line, just to knock people back and run the ball successfully.
"It's very gratifying to know that Coach Grobe and Coach Lobo still have confidence in us with our past struggles this season."
No personnel changes were made in the line. One possible move had to be shelved when freshman Dennis Godfrey injured his knee in Thursday's practice.
An MRI on Monday revealed no ligament damage, but Grobe said that the swelling in Godfrey's knee might be attributable to cartilage damage.
"It's a foo-foo injury," Grobe said. "Actually he did have some fluid drained off his knee. So it's not total foo-foo. It's semi-foo-foo.
"They're hopeful that after they got the fluid off that he would be able to begin practicing again pretty soon. He really needs it. He's going to be a good player for us, I think, if we can patch him together.
"I think (the offensive line) is his position. I think that's where he needs to be. But he sure needs a lot of practice."
Grobe said that wide receiver Jordan Williams has made a push in recent practices for more playing time. After playing last year in his first season, Williams missed valuable practice time in August with a pulled groin muscle. He has played in two of the four games but has yet to catch a pass.
"He stayed hurt all summer and didn't get any work," Grobe said. "I think he's back to being a little bit focused and more determined to not waste a year of eligibility.
"We'd like to see him get some more work right now."
Grobe confirmed that offensive tackle Joe Birdsong will be eligible for Clemson after he was ejected in the first half against Navy. His stamina should be improved.
"Let me put it this way," Grobe said. "Joe Birdsong is in a lot better condition than he was before he was ejected from the game.
"Joe and I have gotten to know each other much better in the past week."
■ Dan Collins can be reached at 727-7323 or at dcollins@wsjournal.com.
Email
Print
