Eight More Than Enough For Deacons
There was a spark from Wake Forest in the first half at N.C. State today that I haven’t seen in awhile. But I had to look fast, because by early in the second half it was long gone.
The Deacons hit the ground in Carter-Finley Stadium running and they kept running until they controlled 21 of the first half’s 30 minutes. But they had only a short field goal from Jimmy Newman to show for it after Jim Grobe’s gamble on a fourth-and-one at the Wolfpack goal was stuffed for a two-yard loss. Then N.C. State took command, scoring touchdowns on three of its first five second-half possessions to send the Deacons reeling to their eighth straight loss.
The last time Wake Forest had lost eight games in a row was in 1978 when John Mackovic’s first of three teams lost its final 10.
The plays that worked in the first half—the draw, the shovel pass, the power off tackle—went nowhere in the second as the Deacons managed only 51 yards and three first downs.
“We probably relied too heavily on a couple of plays in the first half that were very successful,’’ Grobe said. “The power off tackle was really good to us. It was the play we ran on fourth down that didn’t get in. In the second half I think we needed to probably throw the football a little more. But we’d had success running in the first half, and typically you hang on to what’s good to you. And they pressured us quite a bit and didn’t give Tanner (Price) much breathing room back there.’‘
Michael Campanaro re-lived his high school days as a running back, and looked pretty good while carrying 19 times for 67 yards. But he gained 57 of them in the first half before the Wolfpack made the adjustments needed to shut down the Deacons run.
The Deacons’ biggest obstacle was Nate Irving, a senior linebacker who had a career game in his last appearance at Carter Finley Stadium. Campanaro got a good inroduction to the life of a college running back late in the third quarter when he was picked up by Irving and driven hard to the turf..
It was one of eight tackles for losses by Irving, a school record.
“He is definitely the real deal,’’ Campanaro said of Irving. “I saw him the hole all day, especially when he picked me up and slammed me. He gobbled me up and held me there, and I was waiting for the whistle when he slammed me into the ground. He’s a ball player. I can surely see him playing on Sundays.’‘
And when he does, he’ll remember that one play.
“I haven’t taken a hit like that in my lifetime,’’ Campanaro siad. “I went over and asked him `Is that all you’ve got?’ He started laughing at me.’‘
Grobe, by nature, is a conservative football coach, which he showed again today on the Deacons’ first possession. Faced with a fourth-and-one from the N.C. State 47, Grobe opted to punt.
I’m no coach, but given the fact the Deacons had lost seven straight and showed up at N.C. State with nothing to play for other than pride, I’d have gone for the first down. Grobe chose the other option.
I asked Grobe if he was at least tempted to go for the first down.
“A little bit,’’ he said. “But the thing we’ve done all year is the offense has put the defense in tough situations. We’re starting five freshmen on defense, and to allow a team right out of the blocks to start at their 50-yard line is not a good thing to do.’’
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By Dan Collins on 11/13/2010 (7:53 pm)
Comments
It’s hard to watch for sure. Seems like 2006 was such a long time ago, BUT, true fans don’t give up and I won’t either. However, I concur with what’s been said, 4th and 1, go for it, nothing to lose. And try some other stuff, the up the middle isn’t working. If we can’t win, let’s at least compete.
fpvjr on 11/18/2010 (2:29 pm)
Didn’t want to go for a fourth-and-one and put the defense in a bad spot? The defense was in a bad spot before it stepped on the field Saturday. And all of this ‘these coaches won’t change’ talk…sure sounds like they need to. So, you come out and ‘shock’ NC State with a few run plays and throws to the flat. State makes one adjustment and Wake’s staff responds: ‘Well, we’ve done all we can do.’ Wow. And there’s Grobe defending his staff and throwing his players under the bus. “We’ll be back in Sunday working our tails off trying to put a game plan together that the kids can execute.” Or…to say it another way…‘these kids haven’t been able to execute any of the brilliant ideas we’ve come up with this season so far, so we’ll see if they can this week.’ Wake Forest athletics have become the laughing stock of the ACC, and overnight seemingly. Amazing. Has Odom retired? He’s not THAT old, right?
Casey on 11/15/2010 (11:10 am)
Dan,
Between the decline of Wake Forest football since 2006, the wheels absolutely coming off of the football bus this year, the questionable hire of a basketball coach and losing the first game of a basketball season at the Joel since it opened, it is difficult to be very excited about being a WF sports fan right now. I’ve been a fan for more than 40 years and a 1973 WFU graduate, so I’ve seen a lot of losses over the years. However, what’s going on now is hard to watch. We can only hope for better days ahead.
Steve on 11/14/2010 (5:24 pm)
Dan We are playing as if we have 8 wins,or more. I cannot figure some of the calls. I have been connected to football for 65 years, and am writing from experience. So I feel comfortable with my observation. Oh well, I hope we can do something the next two weeks.
Carl on 11/14/2010 (3:15 pm)
As much as I like and respect this coaching staff they continue to send mixed messages. They’ll “continue coaching this team” and “put them in a position to win” yet they won’t go for it on 4th and inches from from the 47. Why not? As a coach you have to instill confidence in your team. Not going for it isn’t exactly instilling confidence. It’s is all about attitude or, right now, a lack there of.
The season’s lost so the next two games should be about little victories, both individually and within each unit. Improve coverage, tackling, blocking, etc. Hopefully we’ll see improvements again Clemson.
Go Deacs!
Deac Fan on 11/14/2010 (12:49 pm)
I don’t believe Grobe and Co. are trying to win these games. From what I see, they are looking at these games as scrimmages that will prepare the team for next year. I don’t like that attitude at all.
John S on 11/14/2010 (12:26 pm)
Steve P…my thoughts exactly. There is nothing to lose here. It looks like we’re gonna get killed each week so why are we not going for it more often? But when the decision is made to go, can we please have a little more creativity than up the gut 4x in a row for no score? But rather, call a time out to make a decision? Those situations should be planned for in advance so that when we get to 1st and goal, there is already a plan in place to go four downs and the plays were going to run. Where is the bootleg throw to Bohanan or any tight end? The coaches have to know that our O-line is powerful enough for the push, and you can’t expect the same results when you ran that play back mid-field. At the goal line, the linebackers and safetys are in your face, and the field is short. This is where I have drawn the line. I was physically sick at halftime. And then the second half debacle? I guess our coaching staff is not smart enough to understand that State would make changes in their defense to adjust for our run. But alas, let’s run the same plays and when they don’t work in the second half, so what, run them again. Nice job coaches. Nice planning. Great play calling. Please pack your bags and your lunch. Don’t miss the bus. Oh wait, you already did.
Dano on 11/14/2010 (11:21 am)
The biggest decision for Grobe is not whether to go for it on 4th down. It’s whether he is willing to make the necessary changes to his staff in the off-season to rejuvenate the program. He defers to his OC and we see the results of that. To add insult to injury, I got my bill for the “seats rights” this week. Good thing that program was sold to us a couple of years ago. I think I represent the majority of the Deac Nation which is not calling for Grobe to be fired, but is having our patience grow thin, waiting for him to correct an obviously escalating failure of a program.
Jim on 11/14/2010 (9:43 am)
As I have been saying for weeks now, at this point in a miserable season, unless you have 10 yards to go deep in your own teritory, GO FOR IT ON FOURTH DOWN!! What are we protecting? We are already the laughing stock of college football, it can’t possible get any worse. No matter what else happens, we must stop the death spiral of 3 and out, they score, 3 and out, they score. I really believe that if we had gone for that first down on fourth and one in the first drive we might have gotten a little self confidence.
DannyB on 11/14/2010 (9:30 am)
The 2010 season reminds me of that TV show, Lost. Only problem I can’t figure out is who is more lost? the fans or the coaching staff. I vote for the staff. You have a 3rd and 8 then throw a 4 yard pass? Well you only lost by 35 so I guess that could be considered ” positive “. Better luck in 2011 I don’t think it can get too much worse but then again.
glennard on 11/14/2010 (12:22 am)
Punting on 4th and inches from the 47yard line ; 4 straight running plays up the middle at the goal line; calling just 11 passes in the game . Good play calling if your protecting a 2 touchdown lead , but you’ve got to wonder what all the conservatism is about when you are down by 35 points while in the midst of an 8 game losing streak .
Steve P on 11/13/2010 (11:59 pm)
Sounds like it has all become just a big joke.
We had the ball in the red zone twice and did not get touchdowns.
Football is a team sport and each player does his part at the given time to move the ball down the field, and just as the quarter back throws the ball, a running back is needed to run the ball at the right time to get the ball in the end zone.
On our roster we have many true running backs, why would we not use one of them in the red zone?
I remember seeing little league teams putting in players so they can score a touchdown for a good heart felt moment… News flash: this is D1 football! Let the big boys play who can put the ball in the end zone!
What happen to using the right player at the right time to get a right result. HELP!
Darrell on 11/13/2010 (10:46 pm)
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