Gardner Webb @ Wake Forest preview

THE STORY: Wake Forest has been haunted by fourth-quarter letdowns, but will try to wrap up its game against in-state and FCS foe Gardner-Webb well before the final period. The Demon Deacons blew a 15-point lead to Syracuse in a season-opening overtime loss, then nearly blew a 21-point advantage to North Carolina State in last week’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Tanner Price is second in the ACC with 293 passing yards per game, though this contest should feature a healthy dose of the ground game. Wake is looking to survive this game unscathed, and get more rest during an off week before entering a brutal October that features two top 15 ACC opponents.

TV: ESPN3.com. LINE: None.

ABOUT GARDNER-WEBB (1-1): The Bulldogs are playing an FBS opponent for the second straight week after losing to Ohio 30-3. Junior Kenny Little ranks 11th in the FCS with 113 yards rushing per game and was the only playmaker in the loss to the Bobcats. Quarterback Chandler Browning didn’t bring nearly enough firepower to even hint at an upset. Gardner-Webb failed to turn any of Ohio’s four turnovers into points as Browning went only 4-of-18 for 19 yards and three picks.

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (1-1): The Demon Deacons have been outscored 22-3 in the final quarter, so it will likely use this contest as a momentum-booster entering their off week. Coach Jim Grobe hasn’t ruled out playing all his starters until the final whistle, even in the event of a blowout. One unit that is almost guaranteed a full 60 minutes is the secondary, which has been torched for an ACC-high six touchdowns through two games. North Carolina State had two touchdowns of 60-plus yards in last week’s nailbiter. Clearly, there’s still plenty of work to do for a Wake defense that doesn’t seem much improved over last year’s 90th-ranked unit in total defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wake Forest second-year starter Josh Harris set career-highs in carries in each of the first two games but has yet to eclipse 100 yards.

2. Wake Forest receiver Michael Campanaro will likely sit out with a hamstring injury. The sophomore has emerged with 12 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns this season.

3. Gardner-Webb is 0-2 all-time against the ACC, but only lost 10-7 to Georgia Tech in 2008.

PREDICTION: Wake Forest 55, Gardner-Webb 20 - Price will get the blowout started early, but the secondary won’t show enough lockdown plays to satisfy Grobe going into the layoff.