Coming off a less-than-inspired 10-9 win in the season opener, Wake Forest moves on to face Western Carolina. And while the Catamounts are coming off an epic fourth-quarter meltdown last week, Wake is in no position to take anyone for granted. Even after a tough loss last weekend, Western Carolina is still ranked 25th in this week’s AFCA poll for the FCS.
Who’s In?
One of the big elements to watch for is who is carrying the offensive load for both teams. Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne missed most of the win over Kennesaw State with an injury that was obvious to anyone whose medical expertise is based on having played the “Operation” board game, even though we are not supposed to discuss it.
WCU quarterback Taron Dickens was a pre-season FCS All-American. He missed the season opener against Gardner-Webb for reasons that were never announced. He was not injured and remains on the active roster. It is assumed that whether he plays or not is in the hands, at least to some degree, of head coach Kerwin Bell.
The appearance of either or both is going to have a major impact on the respective offenses.
Who Is Western Carolina?
The Catamounts were up 42-28 going into the fourth quarter at home last week, only to be outscored 24-3 in the final 15 minutes.
Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert said this week that those results do not paint the picture of who WCU is under Bell. “Their teams play really, really tough, disciplined, and hard,” he said. “Their players are ingrained in their schemes.”
In the absence of Dickens last week, Western Carolina used redshirt sophomore Judy Bennett. He was 15 of 27 for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He had only played in one game all of last year.
They also used redshirt freshman Isaac Lee, who was three of nine for 82 yards and a touchdown. Dickert seemed to indicate that he had some insights as to the status of Dickens, but said the coaching staff was preparing for all three quarterbacks.
He said Wake is expecting what he called “A lot of window dressing” and pre-snap movement to get the defense out of position.
WCU Defense
One of the elements Dickert seems to admire is the WCU defense. “They do not sit back,” he said with emphasis. “They will attack you constantly throughout the course of the game.” Senior linebacker Hayward McQueen, Jr. had 15 tackles and a sack last week, breaking his previous career high of 13 tackles against The Citadel in 2022. He was the Catamounts’ leading tackler last season with 161.
Bell is in his fifth year at WCU with a 24-21 overall record. The former Florida Gators quarterback was also the head coach at Division II Valdosta State, where he won the national championship with the Blazers in 2018.
He said the loss last week really came down to about a dozen or so plays where the team failed to execute properly. “We’ve got to learn to play more consistent,” he told his weekly radio audience this week (WCU does not do a weekly coach’s press conference due to sparse local media coverage). “We didn’t execute a high level in the second half.”
Looking for Leadership
Bell said that with a veteran team, he expects them to be the source of better consistency. “This is the one year we’ve got the veterans there to do it,” he said. “And they’ve got to step their butt up, and they’ve got to lead. And they’ve got to lead this football team.”
He added that a telltale sign for him with his team this week will be staying in the game early. “You talk about upsets. And you talk about shock the world. You hear people say that. But by God, the first thing you better do is you better stay in the game early.”
Bell said he wants to see his team play a smart, aggressive football game. “Don’t be hesitant. Play on the edge. Play fast. Don’t turn the ball over. Play smart football for the first half. Because if you can keep yourself in it, like we did against North Carolina State, now you’ve got the chance for the upset.”
Honoring the Past
Wake Forest will be paying tribute to two former coaches prior to the game on Saturday. John Mackovic coached the Demon Deacons from 1978 through 1980, including taking the team to the Tangerine Bowl. Jim Grobe was the head coach at Wake for 13 seasons (2001-2013). He won the ACC Atlantic in 2006.
Dickert said all living former Wake Forest coaches will be brought in to be a part of the program in one way or another this season.
Main Image: Grace Sorrells (Shot with Grace)
The post Wake Is in No Position to Take Anyone for Granted appeared first on Last Word on College Football.