Presbyterian @ Wake Forest preview
Truist Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2010 ) Presbyterian 13, Wake Forest 53
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons look to put a forgettable finish to last season behind them starting Thursday when they host the Presbyterian Blue Hose. The Demon Deacons rolled to a 3-1 start and needed only one win over their last three games to qualify for a bowl game, but dropped all three by an average of 34.3 points. A good start should be forthcoming, however, as Wake Forest has won three straight home openers – a streak started by a 53-13 rout of Presbyterian in 2010.
With the return of three seniors – quarterback Tanner Price, receiver Michael Campanaro and running back Josh Harris – there is cautious optimism Wake Forest can bounce back from an injury-riddled campaign that claimed Campanaro and Harris. The trio all saw playing time in the 2010 contest that produced the team’s highest-scoring opener since 1941. The Blue Hose, who ended their season with six straight losses by an average of 28.7 points, are 4-6-1 all-time against Wake Forest.
TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None
ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN (2012: 2-9): The Blue Hose will be hard-pressed to replace running back Lance Byrd, who set the school’s career records in rushing yards, attempts and touchdowns. Demarcus Rouse will try to fill his shoes behind a senior-laden offensive line that will try to improve on its 110th place finish in the FCS in total offense. Linebacker Donelle Williams collected 103 tackles as a sophomore, but he is the only standout on a defense that allowed an average of 294 rushing yards and 502 total yards.
ABOUT WAKE FOREST (2012: 5-7): After he was ruled ineligible for the season in early August, Harris had his eligibility restored by the NCAA and will be the focus as coach Jim Grobe wants to improve a running attack that ranked 116th in the country. The Demon Deacons also boast all-conference noseguard Nikita Whitlock and a talented secondary that features former ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Merrill Noel at cornerback. Whitlock, who also battled injuries in 2012, and Noel are two of eight returning starters on defense.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Wake Forest returns 17 starters, the second-highest total in the ACC.
2. Presbyterian was outscored 117-3 by its two FBS opponents in 2012.
3. Only one of the Demon Deacons’ first four opponents (Louisiana-Monroe) won more than two games last season.
PREDICTION: Wake Forest 48, Presbyterian 6