Swank not sure if he will play Saturday

By: By Dan Collins | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: October 14, 2008

Kicker Sam Swank remains questionable for Wake Forest's game Saturday at Maryland.

Swank, a senior who is the Deacons' all-time leader in points scored and field goals, dressed for practice last night but did not participate because of a strained quadriceps in his right leg. He said he probably won't kick or punt until late in the week, at the earliest.

"I'm not doing too much to flare it up," Swank said. "We'll just keep our eye on it -- that whole thing....

"I think it's going to be another decision right before the game, to see what's going on and see how I'm feeling."

Trainer Don Steelman offered no assurances last night that Swank will have recovered in time to punt or kick against the Terps. Swank injured his leg last Monday and missed Thursday's 12-7 victory against Clemson.

"He's still questionable," Steelman said. "We're going to keep him training and see how he does and see if he can respond during the week. It kind of plateaued a little bit. We'll just keep him working and see what he can do."

To plateau, Steelman said, is not a good thing.

"It's like he was getting better and it slowed down," Steelman said. "We're just trying to progress him along. We don't want to take chances with him either."

Shane Popham replaced Swank against Clemson with mixed results. He missed two field-goal attempts, though one was a result of a mishandled snap by holder Ryan McManus. He also kicked two field goals and dropped four of his five punts inside the 20.

Coach Jim Grobe said after the game that he and Coach Billy Mitchell, the assistant who coaches the kickers and punters, would consider using Popham as a punter to relieve the burden on Swank. As of yesterday evening, Swank said he had not discussed the move with either Grobe or Mitchell.

"If that's what the big man wants, that's what we will do," Swank said of Grobe. "I've never second-guessed his decisions. So if that's what he thinks is best for the team, so be it. I'll adhere to whatever he wants."

■ Dan Collins can be reached at 727-7323 or at dcollins@wsjournal.com.