My Take on Wake - Manning Up to a Mistake

Manning Up to a Mistake

There have been times, especially last season, when people have taken me to task for not being critical enough of Jim Grobe.

My response has never changed. Why should I jump on a man for messing up when all I have to do is ask the question and turn on the tape recorder? I’ve never known a person, much less a football coach, quicker to acknowledge his own mistakes.

We’re discussing, of course, Grobe’s decision late in the first half to play for points with his team backed deep in its own territory trailing by 14-10 to Virginia Tech. Only a minute and two seconds remained when Wake took possession at its five. After Brandon Pendergrass ran for 12 yards, quarterback Tanner Price threw three straight passes. On the third attempt, defensive end J.R. Collins hit Tanner’s arm, forcing a dying duck that linebacker Tariq Edwards picked off at the Wake 21.

So the Hokies jam the ball into the end zone for a touchdown with four seconds left, and then drive 80 yards for a touchdown on their first possession of the second half to pretty much put away a 38-17 victory. Hokies Make Themselves at Home

“I was stupid,’’ Grobe said. “It was my fault, to be honest with you.

“We just had not turned the ball over much. Tanner does a really good job taking care of the football. And we really thought if we could hit a seam or get an underneath deal with Chris (Givens) or one of the guys who have good foot speed, we could maybe at least chip our way into field goal range. We had three timeouts left.

“But that’s my fault. That’s totally me not taking care of my team. I should have gone ahead and run the football and gotten out of the half and gone in down 14-10. That would have been a lot better than 21-10.’’

I was a bit surprised to hear Grobe say he felt his team never really got over last week’s emotional victory over Florida State.

“One of my biggest concerns after last week’s win over Florida State, it’s just hard to get a team to come back and play with the same energy,’’ Grobe said. “I just told our team, not to make excuses, but in our locker room last week it was almost buzzing. I mean there was just an electricity in our locker room that you could sense. And tonight, I just didn’t feel that. I think this was a game where with the emotions of last week we almost had to just come out and be good enough to win tonight.

“And it started so good and then we went so flat, I can’t really explain it.’‘

Which dovetails into the observation from a couple of players that really took me aback. Both Chris Givens and Bud Noel said the Deacons got complacent after bolting to their 10-0 lead.

I would have thought just the memories of last season’s ordeal would have innoculated the Deacons from complacency for years to come. I just have to keep reminding myself that as well as I know some of these players, it’s been a long, long time since I was 21 years old.

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By Dan Collins on 10/15/2011 (11:11 pm)

Comments

This past week’s lose was a heartbreaker to me since we got off to such a good start, but I like how Grobe has said we were a little too high after last week’s win over Florida State and I am thinking this might be a wake up call that there is a lot still to prove in the ACC. I am hoping Grobe will have them ready too play against Duke and if we can come out of there with a victory then my hopes for the season are still very high. I have confidence in my Demon Deacons, LETS GO DEACS!

Jack on 10/17/2011 (5:58 pm)

How many times have we as observers wished Grobe would be more aggressive? How many times have people said that we shouldn’t run the clock out, just like we did at Syracuse. It’s ok to play ball, even with less than 2 minutes on the clock. That didn’t break us, but our overall defensive inability to stop VT after the first quarter did. And I second the motion about fans not showing up for games and then the ones that do leave early. Usually half the students don’t come back after halftime. I hope our kids don’t look up in the stands in the fourth quarter of our upcoming games and get let down. They might just need us. But you know what, even if we are winning, people bolt for the exits to get to their car and get home. Real supportive. Also, by the way, is it me or is the new sound system lacking in volume?

Dano on 10/17/2011 (1:56 pm)

Didn’t think it was a smart decision and would have run out the clock to go in 14-10. However, I don’t think that was the game. They cut it to 11 in the second half and just could’t stop VPI defensively. Still we are 4-2 and that isn’t bad. In this league, you can’t dwell too much on wins or losses so let’s pick it up and win the next and be 5-2 with 5 to go. Who wouldn’t have taken a split with FSU/VPI at the beginning of the season??

fpvjr on 10/17/2011 (12:01 pm)

I agree with all those that wish that Josh Harris could have played, especially in light of last year’s game against the Hokies. His presence might have made it a lot closer and possibly allowed the Deacs to pull out a win. But, as was the case with Tanner Price’s knee injury in the first game, Coach Grobe knew that he could not take the chance of having Harris get more injured by playing hurt and then not having him for the stretch run. The Deacs still have an awful lot of tough games ahead of them, and they will need Harris for those games (especially the divisional games). So I don’t fault him for not playing Harris. I think that Virginia Tech figured something out about their offense during the week between Clemson and Miami, and I think that if they were to play Clemson again that Virginia Tech would win. It would have taken better play on both sides of the ball and better coaching to get this win. None of the three of those happened, which is why the Deacs lost by three touchdowns and looked very ordinary. But, as I said before, I think the Deacs will learn from this and that they will benefit from those lessons when they face the second half of their schedule. Who knows - maybe they will get a second crack at Virginia Tech by and by.

Matt on 10/17/2011 (11:49 am)

Also, I wonder how Josh Harris’ presence on the field might have changed the playcalling going into halftime. With Harris, perhaps we run a draw play or a screen pass. If he breaks a longer one, then we can open up the offense a bit more. If he doesn’t, then you go into halftime. I thought Pendergrass did a good job when he got the opportunity, but we really could have used Harris’ big-play potential over the weekend.

DC on 10/17/2011 (9:54 am)

The real mistake was on the possesion before. 3rd and 2 at midfield, Virginia Tech with all the momentum - we called a conservative QB draw and then a punt on 4th and 1. We desperately needed a first down at that moment and should have gone for it. Punting on 4th and 1 sent the message that we were afraid of their defense and couldn’t get 1 yard. it only took them 4 plays to get past the point where we punted from. WAY too conservative. Some times you have to adjust to the way the game is going and take some risks. The TD after that punt forced us to have to throw out of our own side of the field, we really had no choice.

Miller on 10/17/2011 (9:10 am)

I agree with the decision to try to get something going heading into the locker room. The team was inexplicably flat at that point in the game, and needed a spark if it had any hope of getting back in the game. We have some pretty solid weapons on offense, and I think it makes sense to give them a shot to make a big play. When you “play for points” in such a situation, you make clear to the QB not to turn the ball over. Obviously Tanner Price didn’t execute this, but you also have to give credit to the VT defensive front for getting after them (something they did all game). This will just be another lesson for Tanner Price, from which I expect him to learn. I hope this doesn’t keep Coach Grobe in the staff from being aggressive in the future.

DC on 10/16/2011 (10:37 pm)

I was pleased to see the Deacs remain aggressive with a minute left in the half, even after the interception. It was a pivotal drive, as we had lost momentum. I’m behind Coach Grobe and the ‘stupid’ decision.

G in OH-->NC on 10/16/2011 (7:55 pm)

Grobe is a winner and Wake is lucky to have him regardless of wins and losses. No shame in getting beat by a good VT team (they sort of have our number). I am happy to see more mis-direction to take some of the pressure off our players and keep the defense honest. The orbit sweep type stuff ruled! It’s good to see variations of it again.

Brian Thacker on 10/16/2011 (4:29 pm)

I heard the coach say that he was not going to play Harris if he did not practice, “If you do not practice you do not play well.” Please tell me that was not the reason Harris did not play ...
Running backs are like sports cars the motor performs best after first gear. Get him hot and keep feeding him, keep him in the game!
I read the article from VT defensive coach that said that Harris was who they worried about.
Our coach said that we could not get the passing game going. I will say this again “the running game helps the passing game and the passing game helps the running game.”
I am not writing in just to see my name I am looking for reasoning and hoping that the big picture is being seen.
Harris has been one of the reasons Our passing game has developed. Teams are putting 8 and 9 players in the box to TRY to stop him from rushing for 100+ yards.
Example:when 8 are rushing the quarterback and running back that leaves only 3 to cover receivers which opens up our passing game.
Harris is a Big threat and a home run type player that must be accounted for at all times when he is ON THE FIELD.
Football is a team sport and is played like Chess not checkers.
We must use all pieces to Win.
Go Deacs!!!!!

Darrell on 10/16/2011 (4:22 pm)

Before the season started a split of FSU / Va Tech games would have been more than acceptable. Going for points before the half and, later, on 4th down demonstrates playing to win vs not to lose. While not totally successful it does show confidence in the players to make a play. Hard to build confidence in youself if coaches don’t show it.

I am disappointed in the “home” crowd. Glad to hear we sold out stadium cause I saw a fair number of empty seats on the home side in 1st half, more after the half and, most predictable, a whole lot more after VT’s td in 3rd qtr. As they say on espn: “C’mon man!!!”. I give the players a lot of credit for playing so hard at home where if they fall behind by more than 2 scores home field becomes more like a neutral field or worse yet an away game.

Win or lose last night the division title will require WF to beat Clemson. Shades of 06 where, if I am not mistaken, WF had to beat Maryland even if they had beaten VT. One cannot expect WF to be uudefeated in ACC, no one suffered a serious injury, valuable lessons learned, WF still controls their own destiny. Go Deacs, complete the Tobacco Road sweep and bring on the Irish !!

8MAN on 10/16/2011 (3:57 pm)

I love Coach Grobe, and, while I agree that his decision was a poor one, it was one poor one among MANY great decisions. In the fabled 2006 season Wake also had a loss to Virginia Tech at home, and they all said that they learned important lessons in the loss. I think this team will grow from this loss, and they still control their own destiny in the divisional race. I still really like this team, and I am still hopeful for the future. I hope Coach Grobe knows that he still has full support from all of us Deac fans.

Matt on 10/16/2011 (3:49 pm)

We need to really concentrate on Duke this week,and be ready. If ,and they should beat them,we will have five victories. I’m convinced we will be a seven or eight game winner if we win the Duke game. WF is a much better team than what we saw Sat. Hope we are ready. We will have a fine year with a win. Keep up the good work.

Cal on 10/16/2011 (2:31 pm)

Give Coach Grobe credit for accepting the blame at the end of the first half, but this team didn’t pick up a first down in the 2nd quarter let alone a score so I don’t really have a problem with his strategy in that situation. The team needed a spark and with three timeouts and Tanner pulling the trigger why not take a shot. But while it’s easy to blame the coaches for the letdown after the 1st quarter what about the players? When are they held accountable? How does Kenny let his receiver get behind him twice, once for a TD? How does the defense give up a first down run on 3rd & 16 and miss several tackles in doing so?

You’re right Dan, after last season how in the world can this team become complacent DURING A GAME! While I think this can still be a very successful season our team has to regain its momentum by focusing on one thing.

Do you recall in the movie City Slickers how Jack Palance would hold up his index finger confounding Billy Crystal who would continually ask what that meant? Well this team should hold up its collective index finger for the remainder of the season and play one game at a time, one quarter at a time, one series at a time and one play at a time. This team is still relatively young and shouldn’t be looking too far ahead at what could be. After last night the one thing they should be focusing on is their next practice and getting better.

GO DEACS!

Deac Fan on 10/16/2011 (9:36 am)

I am so glad we tried to score points instead of taking a knee. Grobe’s uber-conservatism has killed Wake in several games the past few years. The key to the second quarter was the puny Wake defensive line and linebackers getting blown off the ball. VT dominated the second quarter.

Joe Bob on 10/16/2011 (8:35 am)

I commend Grobe for admitting the bad call at the end of the half was his. We sure would have been in better shape only down 14-10. If we had not been so deep in our own end, I could see playing for points….however, as it was….

Ken Green on 10/16/2011 (8:00 am)

I won’t criticize Grobe for the decision to “play for points”. I am one of those Wake Forest fans that criticizes him when he runs out the clock to the end the 1st half.

John Sanders on 10/15/2011 (11:51 pm)