2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

Last updated

2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
Meineke Car Care Bowl champion
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
DivisionAtlantic Division
Record9–4 (5–3 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorSteed Lobotzke (5th season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Dean Hood (7th season)
Base defense 4–3
CaptainGame captains
Home stadium BB&T Field
Seasons
  2006
2008  
2007 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 10 Boston College x  6 2   11 3  
No. 21 Clemson  5 3   9 4  
Wake Forest  5 3   9 4  
Florida State  4 4   7 6  
Maryland  3 5   6 7  
NC State  3 5   5 7  
Coastal Division
No. 9 Virginia Tech x$  7 1   11 3  
Virginia  6 2   9 4  
Georgia Tech  4 4   7 6  
North Carolina  3 5   4 8  
Miami (FL)  2 6   5 7  
Duke  0 8   1 11  
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 16
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • % BCS at-large representative
  • x Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe in his seventh season at the school and played its home games at BB&T Field. The team began its season with an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game on Saturday, September 1, 2007 against Boston College. Wake Forest played its first season since winning the 2006 ACC championship, their first in 36 years. [1]

Contents

Preseason

Following the most successful season in team history in 2006, the 2007 team was not widely predicted to win the ACC despite returning many offensive starters from 2006. [1] Some sports writers stated that they believed 2006 to have been a fluke and that Wake Forest was not going to win as many games in 2007, especially because of the losses on defense, including the loss of linebacker Jon Abbate to the National Football League. [2] Wake Forest was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division of the ACC in the annual preseason poll conducted by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Lindy's was the only major preseason magazine to pick Wake Forest as a Top-25 team. [3]

Roster changes

Linebacker Eric Berry was ruled academically ineligible for the 2007 season. [4]
Mike Rinfrette moved from fullback to linebacker in spring practice.

Recruiting

On National Signing Day, Wake Forest signed 20 recruits in all, eleven defensive players and nine offensive players.

Award candidates

Roster

Bold indicates starter in last game

Quarterbacks

  • 6 Brett Hodges – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 10 Zach MacDowall – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 11 Riley Skinner Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 12 Skylar Jones – Freshman
  • 13 Ryan McManus – Junior

Running backs

  • 3 Micah Andrews Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 20 Lucas Caparelli – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 22 Brandon Pendergrass – Freshman
  • 23 Kevin Harris – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 27 Josh Adams Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 34 Willie Dixon – Freshman
  • 49 Jose Domenach – Freshman

Wide receivers

  • 4 Demir Boldin – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 8 Marshall Williams – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 8 Geoff Wissing – Sophomore
  • 14 Kevin Marion – Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 15 Delon Lowe – Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 17 Christopher Langley – Sophomore
  • 21 Kenneth Moore Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 22 CJ Washington – Freshman
  • 24 Trey Schmidt – Senior
  • 36 Casey Hill – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 36 Nicholas Schulz – Freshman
  • 37 Max Opamuratawongse – Senior
  • 48 Anthony Williams – Sophomore
  • 80 Devon Brown – Freshman
  • 81 Danny Dembry – Freshman
  • 82 Jordan Williams – Freshman
  • 86 Matt Hartford – Sophomore
  • 88 Chip Brinkman Redshirt.svg Junior

Fullbacks

  • 18 De'Angelo Bryant Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 35 Rich Belton – Redshirt.svg Junior

Tight ends

  • 83 Cameron Ford – Freshman
  • 84 Zac Selmon Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 85 Ben Wooster – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 87 Ted Randolph – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 89 John Tereshinski – Redshirt.svg Senior
 

Offensive Linemen

  • 60 Mike White – Freshman
  • 61 Barrett McMillin – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 62 Doug Weaver – Freshman
  • 64 Jeff Griffin Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 65 Gage Crews – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 67 Trey Bailey – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 68 David Cox – Freshman
  • 70 Chris DeGeareJunior
  • 71 Ryan Britt – Freshman
  • 72 Russell Nenon – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 73 Cannon Gaskin – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 74 Steve Justice Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 75 Michael Hoag – Freshman
  • 76 Joe Birdsong – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 77 Boomer Peterson – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 78 Louis Frazier Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 79 Matthew Brim Redshirt.svg Senior

Linebackers

  • 28 Cyhl Quarles – Freshman
  • 35 Lee Malchow – Sophomore
  • 39 Chantz McClinic Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 40 Kyle Jarrett – Freshman
  • 43 Stanley Arnoux Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 44 Mike Rinfrette – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 45 Mike Simmons – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 46 Matt Woodlief – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 49 Michael Potteiger – Sophomore
  • 52 Dominique Midgett – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 55 Tristan Dorty – Freshman
  • 56 Hunter Haynes – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 57 Gelo Orange – Freshman
  • 59 Aaron Curry Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 63 Andrew Conroy – Junior
  • 66 Collin Granger – Freshman
  • 94 Tripp Russell – Redshirt.svg Freshman

Cornerbacks

  • 2 Alphonso Smith Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 5 Marcus Williams – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 17 Brandon Ghee Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 24 Channing Schofield – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 25 Josh Bush – Freshman
  • 29 Kerry Major – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 41 Mike Williams – Freshman
 

Safeties

  • 7 Alex Frye – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 9 Chip Vaughn Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 10 Kevin Patterson – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 25 Andrew Wright – Junior
  • 26 Jonathon Jones – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 28 Peter Grimm – Freshman
  • 30 John Stamper – Freshman
  • 32 Aaron Mason Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 37 Junior Petit-Jean – Freshman

Defensive ends

  • 34 Antonio Wilson – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 42 Matt Robinson Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 90 Will Wright – Freshman
  • 93 Anthony Davis – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 94 Tripp Russell – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 97 Kyle Wilber – Freshman
  • 98 Jeremy ThompsonSenior

Defensive tackles

  • 50 Teddy Tomlin – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 51 John Russell – Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 58 Michael Carter – Redshirt.svg Freshman
  • 91 Dennis Godfrey – Freshman
  • 95 Zach Stukes Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 96 Boo Robinson Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 99 Michael Lockett – Redshirt.svg Sophomore

Place Kickers

  • 30 Shane Popham – Freshman
  • 38 Sam Swank – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 40 Zach Collins – Freshman
  • 69 Win Joyner – Freshman

Punters

  • 38 Sam Swank – Redshirt.svg Junior

Long Snappers

  • 53 Greg Bechtel – Sophomore
  • 92 Nick Jarvis – Senior

Kick returners

  • 2 Alphonso Smith – Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 14 Kevin Marion – Redshirt.svg Senior
  • 21 Kenneth Moore – Redshirt.svg Senior

Punt Returners

  • 21 Kenneth Moore – Redshirt.svg Senior
     

Coaching staff

PositionNameFirst year at WFU
Head coach Jim Grobe 2001
Wide Receivers Tim Billings 2006
Fullbacks / Tight endsTom Elrod2003
Defensive endsKeith Henry2001
Defensive coordinator / SecondaryDean Hood2001
Linebackers Brad Lambert 2001
Offensive coordinator / Offensive lineSteed Lobotzke2001
Defensive tacklesRay McCartney2001
Assistant head coach / Running backs / KickersBilly Mitchell2001
Quarterbacks Jeff Mullen 2001

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 13:30 pmat Boston College ABC
Bob Wischusen, David Norrie, Jeannine Edwards
L 28–3842,292
September 812:00 pmNo. 17 Nebraska * ESPN
Dave Pasch, Andre Ware, Erin Andrews
L 17–2032,483
September 153:30 pm Army *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ACC SelectW 21–1032,142
September 223:30 pm Maryland
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ESPNU
Doug Bell, Charles Arbuckle
W 31–24 OT31,964
October 61:00 pmat Duke ACC SelectW 41–3620,134
October 117:30 pmNo. 21 Florida State
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ESPN
Chris Fowler, Doug Flutie, Craig James, Erin Andrews
W 24–2132,906
October 201:00 pmat Navy * CSTV
Pete Medhurst, Scott Zolak
W 44–2436,992
October 2712:00 pm North Carolina
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC (rivalry)
LFS
Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Scott Pryzwansky
W 37–1033,023
November 312:00 pmat Virginia No. 21LFS
Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Scott Pryzwansky
L 16–1760,106
November 1012:00 pmat No. 20 Clemson ESPN2
Pam Ward, Ray Bentley, Rob Simmelkjaer
L 10–4482,422
November 174:00 pm NC State
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC (rivalry)
ESPNU
Doug Bell, Charles Arbuckle
W 38–1833,052
November 242:00 pmat Vanderbilt *W 31–1727,650
December 291:00 pmvs. Connecticut *ESPN
Dave Pasch, Andre Ware, Quint Kessenich
W 24–1053,126

Game summaries

@ Boston College

1234Total
Demon Deacons1470728
Eagles71414338

[12]

Nebraska

1234Total
Cornhuskers3107020
Demon Deacons0107017

[13]

Army

1234Total
Black Knights073010
Demon Deacons1470021

[14]

Maryland

1234OTTotal
Terrapins10770024
Demon Deacons30714731

[15]

@ Duke

1234Total
Demon Deacons71710741
Blue Devils90141336

[16]

Florida State

1234Total
Seminoles0140721
Demon Deacons0771024

[17]

@ Navy

1234Total
Demon Deacons141310744
Midshipmen1077024

[18]

North Carolina

1234Total
Tar Heels030710
Demon Deacons10761437

[19]

@ Virginia

1234Total
Demon Deacons337316
Cavaliers370717

@ Clemson

1234Total
Demon Deacons703010
Tigers101710744

[20]

NC State

1234Total
Wolfpack0315018
Demon Deacons71471038

[21]

@ Vanderbilt

1234Total
Demon Deacons7717031
Commodores3001417

[22]

Vs. Connecticut

1234Total
Huskies730010
Demon Deacons00141024

[23]

Postseason honors

Conference

Kenneth Moore (WR)
Steve Justice (C)
Alphonso Smith (CB)
Josh Adams (RB)
Aaron Curry (LB)
Chip Vaughn (S)
Sam Swank (K)
Kevin Marion (KR) [25]

National

2007 AFCA First Team All-American [29]

References

  1. 1 2 "Wake Forest Wins First ACC Title Since 1970". Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
  2. "2007 ACC football preview". Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
  3. Wake Forest Picked To Finish Fourth In ACC Atlantic
  4. Eric Berry Ruled Academically Ineligible for 2007
  5. "Lombardi Trophy Watchlist". Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  6. Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List
  7. "Rimington Trophy Watch List". Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  8. "Wuerffel Trophy Nominees". Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  9. "Maxwell Award Watch List". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  10. "O'Brien Watch List". Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  11. Ray Guy Award Watch List
  12. Boston College 38 Wake Forest 28
  13. Nebraska 20 Wake Forest 17
  14. Wake Forest 21 Army 10 [ permanent dead link ]
  15. Wake Forest 31 Maryland 24 [ permanent dead link ]
  16. Wake Forest 41 Duke 36
  17. Wake Forest 24 Florida State 21 [ permanent dead link ]
  18. Wake Forest 44 Navy 24
  19. Wake Forest 37 North Carolina 10
  20. Clemson 44 Wake Forest 10
  21. Wake Forest 38 North Carolina State 18
  22. Wake Forest 31 Vanderbilt 17 [ permanent dead link ]
  23. Wake Forest 24 Connecticut 10
  24. "Wake Forest's Steve Justice named Jacobs Blocking Trophy Recipient". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
  25. "2007 All-ACC Football Teams Announced". Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  26. "Wake Forest's Josh Adams Claims ACC Rookie of the Year Honors". Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
  27. "Wake Forest's Matt Robinson Named ACC's Piccolo Award Winner". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  28. Justice Named Rimington Trophy Finalist
  29. "2007 AFCA Coaches' All-America Team". Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  30. Louis Frazier Named Academic All-America