2016 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

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2016 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
Wake Forest University Athletic logo.svg
Military Bowl champion
Military Bowl, W 34–26 vs. Temple
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
DivisionAtlantic Division
Record7–6 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero (3rd season)
Offensive scheme Slow mesh
Defensive coordinator Mike Elko (3rd season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Captains
  • Marquel Lee
  • Wendell Dunn
  • Josh Harris
  • Tyler Hayworth
  • Cam Serigne
Home stadium BB&T Field
Seasons
  2015
2017  
2016 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Clemson xy$#  7 1   14 1  
No. 21 Louisville x  7 1   9 4  
No. 8 Florida State  5 3   10 3  
NC State  3 5   7 6  
Wake Forest  3 5   7 6  
Boston College  2 6   7 6  
Syracuse  2 6   4 8  
Coastal Division
No. 16 Virginia Tech xy  6 2   10 4  
North Carolina  5 3   8 5  
No. 20 Miami (FL)  5 3   9 4  
Pittsburgh  5 3   8 5  
Georgia Tech  4 4   9 4  
Duke  1 7   4 8  
Virginia  1 7   2 10  
Championship: Clemson 42, Virginia Tech 35
  • # College Football Playoff champion
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2016 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Dave Clawson, who was in his third season at the school, and played its home games at BB&T Field. Wake Forest competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference, as they have since the league's inception in 1953. They finished the season 7–6, 3–5 in ACC play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the Military Bowl where they defeated Temple.

Contents

When Wake Forest lost to Louisville on November 12, Dave Clawson alleged that Louisville had received impermissible information that benefited the Cardinals on the football field. [1] On December 14, 2016, after a month long probe, former Wake Forest staff member and IMG College radio analyst Tommy Elrod was dismissed from the program for leaking confidential and proprietary game preparations on multiple occasions. [2]

Recruiting

College recruiting information (2016)
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40Commit date
Carlos Basham Jr.
DE
Roanoke, VANorthside HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)225 lb (102 kg)4.77Jul 6, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Essang Bassey
CB
Columbus, GAColumbus HS5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)174 lb (79 kg)N/AJun 22, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jeremiah Brown
WR
Savannah, GASouthwest Guilford HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)173 lb (78 kg)4.50Apr 21, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Arkeem Byrd
RB
Savannah, GAJenkins HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)N/AFeb 3, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Cade Carney
TE
Davidson, NCDavidson Day School5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)213 lb (97 kg)4.53Jun 19, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Brandon Chapman
TE
Grove City, OHGrove City HS6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)251 lb (114 kg)5.02May 20, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Thomas Cole
TE
Wellsburg, WVBrooke HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)225 lb (102 kg)N/AJan 5, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 2 stars.svg     ESPN: 2 stars.svg
DeAndre' Delaney
RB
Morristown, TNMorristown–Hamblen West HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)200 lb (91 kg)N/ADec 7, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 2 stars.svg     ESPN: N/A
Greg Dortch
WR
Highland Springs, VAHighland Springs HS5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)150 lb (68 kg)4.60Aug 6, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 2 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Malik Grate
WR
Pendleton, SCPendleton HS6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)160 lb (73 kg)4.50Apr 29, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Sulaiman Kamara
DT
Richmond, VAHermitage HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)287 lb (130 kg)5.60Nov 1, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
LaRonde Liverpool
OLB
Virginia Beach, VALandstown HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)226 lb (103 kg)4.74Jun 2, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 2 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Dominic Maggio
K
Baltimore, MDBoys Latin HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)155 lb (70 kg)N/AJul 15, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Luke Masterson
S
Naples, FLMarlboro County HS6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.50Jul 27, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Je'vionte Nash
OG
Orange Park, FLOakleaf HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)291 lb (132 kg)5.31Apr 2, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 2 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jamie Newman
QB
Graham, NCGraham HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)237 lb (108 kg)4.76Apr 20, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 2 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Traveon Redd
S
Ridgeway, VAMagna Vista HS5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)182 lb (83 kg)4.64Jul 31, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Taleni Suhren
OT
Charlotte, NCArdrey Kell HS6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)281 lb (127 kg)5.52Apr 15, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Emmanuel Walker
DE
Santee, SCLake Marion HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)220 lb (100 kg)4.63Aug 28, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Tyler Watson
OT
Alpharetta, GAMilton HS6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)244 lb (111 kg)N/ASep 9, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jacquez Williams
WR
Hinesville, GALiberty County HS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)200 lb (91 kg)4.53Jun 24, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 2 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Zander Zimmer
DE
Orlando, FLBishop Moore HS6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)225 lb (102 kg)4.91Jun 9, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: 3 stars.svg     ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 64   Rivals: 63   247Sports: 59   ESPN: 50
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Wake Forest 2016 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  • "2016 Wake Forest Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  • "2016 Player Commitments – Wake Forest". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  • "2016 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 21, 2016.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 17:00 p.m. Tulane * ACCN+ W 7–324,398
September 103:30 p.m.at Duke ESPNU W 24–1421,077
September 176:30 p.m. Delaware *
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ACCN+W 38–2125,972
September 243:30 p.m.at Indiana * BTN W 33–2845,519
October 13:30 p.m.at NC State ACCRSN L 16–3358,200
October 87:00 p.m. Syracuse
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ACCRSNW 28–925,162
October 153:30 p.m.at No. 14 Florida State ESPN L 6–1777,102
October 293:30 p.m. Army *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ACCRSNL 13–2127,938
November 53:00 p.m. Virginia
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ACCRSNW 27–2025,334
November 127:00 p.m.at No. 5 Louisville ESPN2 L 12–4451,218
November 197:00 p.m.No. 5 Clemson
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ESPN L 13–3531,152
November 263:00 p.m. Boston College
  • BB&T Field
  • Winston-Salem, NC
ACCRSNL 14–1724,866
December 273:30 p.m.vs. No. 24 Temple *ESPNW 34–2626,656
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[3]

Coaching staff

PositionNameFirst year at WFU
Head coach Dave Clawson 2014
Defensive coordinator / Safeties Mike Elko 2014
Asst head coach / Receivers Kevin Higgins 2014
Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks Warren Ruggiero 2014
Special teams coordinator / tight ends Adam Scheier 2014
Defensive Line Dave Cohen 2014
Running backsJohn Hunter2014
CornerbacksDerrick Jackson2012
Offensive LineNick Tabacca2014
Source: [4]

Game summaries

Tulane

3rd meeting. 0–2 all time. Last meeting 1995, 35–9 Green Wave in New Orleans. [5]

Week One: Tulane Green Wave at Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Green Wave30003
Demon Deacons07007

at BB&T Field, Winston–Salem, NC

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 72° F • N 2 • Cloudy, some rain
  • Game attendance: 24,398
  • Referee: David Epperley
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Play-by-Play: Taylor Zauzour • Color Analyst: Al Groh
  • Final Stats
Game information

@ Duke

97th meeting. 37–57–2 all time. Last meeting 2015, 27–21 Blue Devils in Winston–Salem. [5]

Week Two: Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Duke Blue Devils – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Demon Deacons0714324
Blue Devils707014

at Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC

Game information

Delaware

2nd meeting. 1–0 all time. Last meeting 1932, 7–0 Demon Deacons in Newark. [5]

Week Three: Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens at Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Fightin' Blue Hens770721
Demon Deacons101414038

at BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 82° F • N 1 • Clear
  • Game attendance: 25,972
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Play-by-Play: Dave Weekley • Color Analyst: Tom O'Brien
  • Final Stats
Game information

@ Indiana

2nd meeting. 0–1 all time. Last meeting 2015, 31–24 Hoosiers in Winston–Salem. [5]

Week Four: Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Indiana Hoosiers – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Demon Deacons7146633
Hoosiers7014728

at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 85° F • N–NE 5 • Fair
  • Game attendance: 45,519
  • Referee: Don Willard
  • TV announcers (BTN): Play-by-Play: Joe BeninatiColor Analyst: J Leman
  • Final Stats
Game information

@ NC State

110th meeting. 38–65–6 all time. Last meeting 2015, 35–17 Wolfpack in Winston–Salem. [5]

Week Five: Wake Forest Demon Deacons at NC State Wolfpack – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Demon Deacons097016
Wolfpack1763733

at Carter–Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 83° F • SSW 9 • Mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 58,200
  • Referee: Duane Heydt
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Play-by-Play: Wes DurhamColor Analyst: James Bates • Sideline: Lyndsay Rowley
  • Final Stats
Game information

Syracuse

6th meeting. 1–4 all time. Last meeting 2015, 30–17 Orange in Syracuse. [5]

Week Six: Syracuse Orange at Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Orange27009
Demon Deacons01401428

at BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Date: October 8
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 63° F • NW 13 • Rain (Hurr. Matthew)
  • Game attendance: 25,162
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Play-by-Play: Bob Rathburn • Color Analyst: Takeo SpikesSideline: Kelsey Wingert
  • Final Stats
Game information

@ Florida State

35th meeting. 6–27–1 all time. Last meeting 2015, 24–16 Seminoles in Winston–Salem. [5]

Week Seven: Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Florida State Seminoles – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Demon Deacons03306
#14 Seminoles377017

at Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 83° F • E 8 • Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 77,102
  • Referee: Stuart Mullins
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Play-by-Play: Bob WischusenColor Analyst: Brock HuardSideline: Allison Williams
  • Final Stats
Game information

Army

16th meeting. 11–4 all time. Last meeting 2015, 17–14 Demon Deacons in West Point. [5]

Week Nine: Army Black Knights at Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Black Knights7001421
Demon Deacons073313

at BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 76° F • SW 4 • Clear
  • Game attendance: 27,948
  • Referee: David Epperley
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Play-by-Play: James Bates • Color Analyst: Takeo Spikes • Sideline: Kelsey Wingert
  • Final Stats
Game information

Virginia

49th meeting. 14–34 all time. Last meeting 2012, 16–10 Demon Deacons in Charlottesville. [5]

Week Ten: Virginia Cavaliers at Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Cavaliers6014020
Demon Deacons71001027

at BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Date: November 5
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 63° F • WNW 4 • Sunny
  • Game attendance: 25,334
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Play-by-Play: Wes Durham • Color Analyst: James Bates • Sideline: Niki Noto
  • Final Stats
Game information

@ Louisville

4th meeting. 0–3 all time. Last meeting 2015, 20–19 Cardinals in Winston–Salem. [5]

Week Eleven: Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Louisville Cardinals – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Demon Deacons660012
#5 Cardinals0373444

at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, KY

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 48° F • ENE 3 • Clear
  • Game attendance: 51,218
  • Referee: J. Maconaghy
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Play-by-Play: Jason BenettiColor Analyst: Kelly StoufferSideline: Paul Carcaterra
  • Final Stats
Game information

Clemson

82nd meeting. 17–63–1 all time. Last meeting 2015, 33–13 Tigers in Clemson. [5]

Week Twelve: Clemson Tigers at Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
#5 Tigers2170735
Demon Deacons0103013

at BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Date: November 19
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 44° F • NW 16 • Clear
  • Game attendance: 31,512
  • Referee: Jeff Flanagan
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Play-by-Play: Bob Wischusen • Color Analyst: Brock Huard • Sideline: Allison Williams
  • Final Stats
Game information

Boston College

24th meeting. 9–12–2 all time. Last meeting 2015, 3–0 Demon Deacons in Chestnut Hill. [5]

Week Thirteen: Boston College Eagles at Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
Eagles1000717
Demon Deacons0014014

at BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, NC

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 52° F • WNW 12 • Clear
  • Game attendance: 24,866
  • Referee: David Epperley
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Play-by-Play: Bob Wischusen • Color Analyst: Brock Huard • Sideline: Allison Williams
  • Final Stats
Game information

Vs. Temple – Military Bowl

2nd meeting. 0–1 all time. Last meeting 1930, 36–0 Owls in Philadelphia. [5]

Military Bowl: Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Temple Owls – Game summary [6]
Quarter1234Total
#23 Owls7310626
Demon Deacons14170334

at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD

  • Date: December 27
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 63° F • W 5–10 • Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 26,656
  • Referee: Kevin Stine
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Play-by-Play: Jason Benetti • Color Analyst: Kelly Stouffer • Sideline: Paul Carcaterra
  • Final Stats
Game information


Leaks of plays

Colloquially called "WakeyLeaks", some of Wake Forest's opponents appear to have had knowledge of Wake Forest's playbook, even plays they had just created and only practiced for one week. Suspicion fell on Tommy Elrod, a color commentator on the broadcast crew; Elrod was found to have made long phone calls to the coaches of rival teams in the days before Wake Forest played them, and he had access to the practice tapes compiled by Wake Forest staff. Elrod had been an assistant coach during the leadership of previous coach Jim Grobe; it is speculated that after Clawson did not hire him on as a coach, instead relegating him to color commentary, he leaked the plays as a form of revenge. Elrod was fired and banned from the campus in December 2016. [7] [2]

References

  1. "Wake Forest investigates whether plays leaked to or stolen by Louisville". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Wake Forest fires radio analyst Tommy Elrod for attempting to leak football game plans" . Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  3. "2016 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  4. "2016 Wake Forest Coaching Staff". The Official Site of Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Demon Deacon Football Guide: Section 6 - History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "2016 Wake Forest Football Game Notes" (PDF). December 27, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  7. Feldman, Bruce; Fortuna, Matt; Jenks, Jayson (July 12, 2022). "Inside 'WakeyLeaks,' the scandal that should have rocked college football". The Athletic . Retrieved July 12, 2022.