2002 Statistics

written by James Johnson

The successes Jim Grobe has enjoyed in his first two years at Wake Forest have been built on a strong running game. His ground game has consistently been anchored by the foundation of a solid offensive line. Grobe's system relies more on agility than brute strength, featuring misdirection and frequent end-around plays by the wide receivers.

Three OL starters return. These veterans all fit Grobe's profile of looking for agile blockers instead of ones who can just plow over tacklers, although with Tyson Clabo, he gets both. They enabled the Deacons to lead the ACC with an average of 241 yards rushing per game. They also averaged an impressive 4.4 yards per attempt, and will (at least) match that production again.

Coach Grobe shows the offensive line's importance by dedicating assistant coach Steed Lobotzke (centers and guards) to oversee it. Steed has been with Grobe since his days at Ohio University. He faces a challenge in replacing 2003's starters (and main backups) at RT and RG, but having veterans within the system will be of great benefit toward integrating new players.

The ball carrying duties will be in good hands this season. In 2002, Sophomore Chris Barclay gained 734 yards/9 TDs as a true freshman while splitting time with Tarence Williams. As the main focus of the 2003 Wake Forest offense, expect to see Barclay develop into one of the most dangerous running backs in the ACC. He has the quickness to make tacklers miss and enough speed to easily break five-yard gains into long runs. Junior Nick Burney is also capable - he averaged nearly five yards per carry on 84 attempts. He is more of a straight-ahead runner than Barclay, giving the Deacons a good change-of-pace option at running back.

The Demon Deacons are in the uncomfortable position of having to replace much of their entire backfield and all of their starting receivers from last season. This will cause some bumps in the road for Wake's offense this season, particularly in the early going. However, there is some young talent that has been waiting in the wings which will allow the Deacons to be more explosive than in recent years.

The offense will be turned over to sophomore quarterback Cory Randolph. Randolph saw limited playing time last season as a red-shirt freshman and possesses more physical skills than his predecessor, James MacPherson. Randolph will be able to buy time in the pocket and turn upfield to run the ball better than MacPherson. He also has a cannon for an arm and will be able to make throws MacPherson couldn't. But it is still a task to competently replace one of the NCAA's top 30 QBs - skills have to translate into productivity and wins.

Randolph will have a fleet target in redshirt freshman WR Willie Idlette. He had a great spring and will push Chris Davis for the starting role at slot back. Returning junior WR Jason Anderson averaged over 23 yards on 23 catches, with six touchdowns. He will be an even bigger part of the 2003 offense. Randolph's additional arm strength should encourage offensive coaches to modify their passing schemes. Although Wake runs a no-huddle offense at times, the options for pass plays are somewhat limited (no doubt due in part to Jim Grobe's conservative nature). After Randolph gets settled in, opening up the offense would make the Deacons' effective running game even more dangerous.

OG Tyson Clabo

written by James Johnson

Last season's leading tackler, ILB junior Brad White (6'1", 226 lbs.) returns - hopefully with a few extra pounds. He can obviously cover ground, but extra weight and strength will enable him to knock ball carriers backward instead of allowing them to lean forward for extra yardage.

White could receive some much-needed help from red-shirt freshman linebacker Bryan Andrews . Andrews is the first Parade All-American to attend Wake Forest since 1984 and is the Deacons' best hope of developing a defensive player who could single-handedly disrupt an opposing offense.

The linebacking corps otherwise looks thin. The other returning starter, junior Kellen Brantley, needs to regain his form from 2001 - Kellen's tackle totals dropped from 95 as a freshman to 61 last season. Senior Jamaal Argrow, after two injury plagued seasons, showed some promise in spot duty. But at only 217 lbs., Jamaal can't be counted on for much more than that. Look for Argrow to float back and forth from DE to LB.

Wake's Defensive Coordinator Dean Hood runs an unusual defensive scheme, a 3-3-5. This system, which employs three down linemen, three linebackers, and five defensive backs, plays to the Deacons' strengths.

Wake has a solid secondary, led by veterans Quintin Williams and Eric King, who combined for 140 tackles, six interceptions, and 12 passes defended. The Deacons have plenty of depth, experience, and size in their DBs, but need to increase 2002's INT total of 13.

The Deacons lost their only true playmaker on the defensive front, Calvin Pace. Additionally, all three starters are gone, and the only returning player with any game experience is sophomore NT Goryal Scales, who is a bit on the light side for an interior lineman. The nose tackle is critical to the success of the 3-3-5 scheme. Without a good forward thrust by the defensive line, particularly the nose tackle, the linebackers don't have anyone shielding them from blocks, giving ball carriers a good opportunity to get into the secondary.

Sophomores Arthur Orlebar and John Finklea are the most likely candidates to start at defensive end(s). Both players saw very limited playing time as red-shirt freshmen. The talent on the defensive line makes it unlikely Wake will even match last year's dismal total of 17 sacks. Opposing quarterbacks will again have plenty of time to test the Deacons' secondary.

Wake will again put a small defensive front six on the field this season and will therefore be susceptible to getting pushed around by any team with a strong, sizeable offensive line and a solid running game.

DB Quintin Williams