What a fun week we had for the last Saturday of September in college football. In the noon slate, No. 4 Clemson barely got past No. 21 Wake Forest, needing...
No. 5 Clemson Survives Wake Forest's Upset Bid with 51-45 Win in 2OT Thriller
Sep 24, 2022
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - SEPTEMBER 24: Nate Wiggins #20 of the Clemson Tigers breaks up a pass intended for A.T. Perry #9 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to end the game in the second overtime at Truist Field on September 24, 2022 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Clemson won 51-45 in 2OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DJ Uiagalelei's five passing touchdowns allowed No. 5 Clemson to survive No. 21 Wake Forest's upset bid Saturday.
The Tigers held on for a 51-45 double-overtime victory over their ACC rival thanks to Davis Allen's 21-yard touchdown catch from Uiagalelei to start the extra frame.
Wake Forest got the ball last with an opportunity to win the game, but the offense only managed to gain four yards, and Sam Hartman's pass to A.T. Perry on fourth-and-6 was incomplete.
Despite being ranked No. 4 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, Clemson had a lot to prove this season.
Uiagalelei, in particular, was going to be under the microscope after a disappointing sophomore campaign in 2021 when he had more interceptions (10) than passing touchdowns (nine). The California native arrived at Clemson with a lot of hype as a 5-star prospect and top-ranked pro-style quarterback in the 2020 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.
Through four games, it certainly looks like Uiagalelei has taken a huge step forward. His five touchdowns Saturday gave him 10 for the season. He went 26-of-41 for 371 yards against Wake. The 21-year-old has only thrown one interception on 129 attempts so far.
The Tigers defense did get challenged in its first major test of the season. Clemson allowed 447 yards of offense to Wake Forest. Hartman was terrific in the loss, completing 20 of 29 attempts for 337 yards with six scores and no interceptions.
The Demon Deacons put up 21 points in the third quarter and took a 38-35 lead with 8:07 remaining in the fourth quarter on Matthew Dennis' 29-yard field goal.
Antonio Williams set his team up with good field position thanks to a 26-yard kickoff return that got the Tigers out to their own 48-yard line. Their drive stalled after seven plays, but B.T. Potter drilled a 52-yard field goal to tie the score.
After trading touchdowns in the first overtime period, Uiagalelei hit Allen on 3rd-and-6 from Wake's 21-yard line for the game-winning score.
The loss drops Wake Forest to 3-1 on the season, but head coach Dave Clawson's squad continues to play well coming off an 11-win campaign in 2021.
Clemson is off to a 4-0 start with possibly its most difficult regular-season opponent looming. Head coach Dabo Swinney's squad will host No. 12 North Carolina State on Oct. 1. No. 25 Miami is the only other currently ranked team still on the schedule (Nov. 19).
Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman out Indefinitely with Non-Football-Related Medical Issue
Aug 10, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Sam Hartman (10) quarterback of Wake Forest during the ACC Football Championship game between the Pitt Panthers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on December 4, 2021, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wake Forest announced Wednesday that starting quarterback Sam Hartman is out indefinitely for treatment on
a "non-football-related medical condition."
Here's a statement from the Demon
Deacons' athletic department:
Following a workout on Tuesday,
Aug. 9, redshirt junior quarterback Sam Hartman sought medical
attention for a non-football-related condition. The results of those
tests and subsequent treatment will remove Sam from team activities
indefinitely. The timeline for his return to competition is
uncertain. In respect for Sam's privacy and in compliance with HIPAA,
no additional details will be shared at this time. Wake Forest
Athletics medical and athletics training staff are providing Sam and
his family with constant support. More updates will be shared when
appropriate.”
Hartman, a 23-year-old North Carolina
native, enjoyed a breakout season for Wake in 2021. He completed 58.9
percent of his throws for 4,228 yards with 39 touchdowns and 14
interceptions across 14 appearances as the team went 11-3.
He was named to this year's preseason
watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, which is given to the
nation's top quarterback.
"Tuesday was a frustrating day,
but I am extremely grateful for our medical staff and for Dr. Chris
Miles and Niles Fleet for staying with me throughout this process," Hartman said. "I look forward to attacking this rehabilitation
process and I am so appreciative of the support I have received from
my family, teammates and coaches."
Other members of the Wake Forest staff
also released statements about the news.
Head coach Dave Clawson:
Sam Hartman is the true
embodiment of a leader and is one of the finest young men I have ever
had the pleasure to coach. As a two-time captain and coming off
record-setting seasons in 2020 and 2021, Sam was intensely focused on
the betterment of his teammates throughout the entire offseason and
helping our program continue to achieve great things on the field.
Additionally, he is an incredible person in the community and in the
classroom. We'll look forward to having Sam back on the field as soon
as he can, and in the meantime Sam and his family have the full
support of our coaching staff and program in his recovery.
Athletic director John Currie:
Our No. 1 priority at Wake
Forest is always the health and safety of our student-athletes. As we
rally around Sam and his family, we are grateful for the expert care
and attention provided by our entire sports medicine team led by head
physician Dr. Chris Miles and head trainer/associate athletics
director Niles Fleet. Sam Hartman represents everything right about
intercollegiate athletics and the unparalleled team culture Coach
Clawson has built at Wake Forest. We know all of Deacon Nation is in
his corner.
Michael Kern will likely take the reins
of the Deacs offense. Mitch
Griffis, Brett Griffis and Troy Hoilman are the other quarterbacks on
the roster.
Wake's season gets underway Sept. 1
when it hosts VMI at Truist Field.
Sam Hartman Dominant as Wake Forest Routs Rutgers in 2021 Gator Bowl
Dec 31, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Brandon Chapman #23 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrates a touch against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Wake Forest ended 2021 on a high, beating Rutgers 38-10 in the Gator Bowl on Friday at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Demon Deacons' 11 wins tie a program record set in 2006.
They steadily wore down the Scarlet Knights, rolling up 453 total yards and scoring 24 unanswered points to close out the contest.
Head coach Dave Clawson and his staff only had around a week to draw up a new game plan after Rutgers replaced Texas A&M, which was forced to withdraw because of COVID-19-related issues.
In retrospect, the Big Ten may have wished Rutgers sat this one out. The result is the conference's first bowl loss of the 2021 season.
Notable Performers
Sam Hartman, QB, Wake Forest: 23-of-39, 304 yards, three touchdowns; six carries, 21 yards
A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest: 10 receptions, 127 yards, one touchdown
Johnny Langan, QB, Rutgers: 2-of-2, 21 yards; six carries, 20 yards; six receptions, 57 yards
Hartman Exorcises Bowl Demons
Last year, Sam Hartman had a bowl season to forget. He threw four interceptions in the second half as Wake Forest suffered a 42-28 loss to Wisconsin in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
The redshirt sophomore explained to ESPN's David M. Hale how he began to prioritize his mental health following that defeat, reflecting how he wishes he had earlier in life.
Hartman clearly wasn't weighed down from any memories of last December as he threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first quarter against Rutgers.
With the Demon Deacons offense sputtering a bit in the second half, Hartman broke off a 35-yard run on third down in the fourth quarter to get inside the red zone. Four plays later, he found Brandon Chapman for their second touchdown connection of the day.
His 50 total touchdowns in 2021 are the second-most in a single season by an ACC quarterback.
Hartman headlines a long list of starters set to return to Wake Forest in 2022. A second successive 10-win season is an attainable goal for next season.
Wake Forest in 2022 will be a classic test of brand bias in rankings. They return nearly everyone on offense from from a Top 10 offense and an 11-win team. Sam Hartman should be first-team All-ACC. Will voters believe?
The Scarlet Knights entered Friday at 118th in total offense, averaging 313.8 yards per game. They were also 109th in offensive SP+, per ESPN's Bill Connelly.
The Rutgers offense engineered a 12-play, 75-yard drive on its first possession of the game. Aaron Young capped it off with a 12-yard touchdown run.
The Scarlet Knights were set up with a 1st-and-goal at the Wake Forest 10-yard line but had to settle for a 28-yard field goal from Valentino Ambrosio to make a 14-10 game. Their next trip into the red zone ended in an interception by Wake Forest defensive back Gavin Holmes.
After Hartman's touchdown passes, the Rutgers defense did a good job of stymying Wake Forest for stretches. The offense failed to capitalize, though, and that put far too much pressure on the defense over time.
All things considered, this wasn't a bad performance from Greg Schiano's team.
Broadly speaking, Schiano has the program headed in a positive direction. On Friday, Rutgers was simply overmatched by a better team.
Texas A&M Out of 2021 Gator Bowl vs. Wake Forest amid COVID-19 Outbreak
Dec 22, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 2: A general view of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl logo at mid-field before the North Carolina State Wolfpack plays against the University of Kentucky Wildcats at the 76th annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on January 2, 2021 in Jacksonvile, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Texas A&M has droppede out of the Gator Bowl due to an outbreak of COVID-19.
TEXAS A&M WITHDRAWS PARTICIPATION IN TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL DUE TO COVID-19 ISSUES
Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated first reported the news.
The Aggies were scheduled to face Wake Forest on Dec. 31 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
"We are disappointed that Texas A&M University and the Aggie fans will be unable to represent the Southeastern Conference in Jacksonville at this year’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game. However, the health and safety of the student-athletes, coaches and staff remains our primary concern" TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Chairman John Duce said in a statement.
The Gator Bowl is seeking a replacement, but Dellenger reported this would only happen if another bowl game was affected by COVID-19, leaving a second team without an opponent.
Dellenger noted teams do not receive a payout if a bowl game isn't played; the Gator Bowl's payout would be $5.35 million.
Texas A&M reportedly hadn't practiced in about a week because of COVID-19 concerns, with several athletes testing positive on Sunday and Monday, per Jeff Tarpley of 247Sports. The team met virtually on Tuesday.
Gator Bowl president Greg McGarity said on Tuesday that "everything is still a go for the game."
"We've been made aware of those concerns," he said of Texas A&M. "If there are any issues, we'll find out as soon as possible."
If it can't play, Texas A&M will finish its season 8-4 without the chance to win its fourth straight bowl game.
At 10-3, Wake Forest has already clinched its first double-digit win season since 2006.
Kenny Pickett, No. 15 Pittsburgh Rout No. 16 Wake Forest to Win 2021 ACC Championship
Dec 5, 2021
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett runs for a touchdown during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game against Wake Forest Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
For the first time since 2014, there is a new ACC champion. While Clemson has dominated the conference as of late, the No. 17 Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the No. 18 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 45-21 on Saturday to win their first ACC title.
The Panthers had appeared in the ACC title game just once before Saturday's contest, falling to Clemson in 2018. Pittsburgh also had only faced the Demon Deacons just once before, with the Panthers coming out on top in a 34-13 win in 2018.
Notable Player Stats
Kenny Pickett, QB, PITT: 20/33 for 253 YDS, 2 TD and 6 CAR for 20 YDS, 1 TD
Sam Hartman, QB, WAKE: 21/46 for 213 YDS, 2 TD, 4 INT and 11 CAR for 1 TD
Jordan Addison, WR, PITT: 8 REC for 126 YDS
Taylor Morin, WR, WAKE: 4 REC for 83 YDS, 1 TD
Israel Abanikanda, RB, PITT: 9 CAR for 55 YDS, 2 TD
Kenny Pickett Impressive for Panthers in Win
Fifth-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is viewed as one of the top QB prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft, had an impressive performance in Saturday's win.
The 23-year-old led the Panthers on two consecutive touchdown drives to open the game, and his fake slide on a 58-yard score might have been the highlight of the night.
Pickett also set a record on his first touchdown pass of the game, a 22-yard strike to Rodney Hammond Jr. He passed legendary NFL quarterback Dan Marino for the most touchdown passes in Pitt history.
Pickett continued his tremendous evening in the second quarter, hitting Jared Wayne with a four-yard score to set the ACC record for the most touchdown passes in a single season, passing Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Sam Howell and Trevor Lawrence.
Pickett continued his incredible night in the second half, leading the Panthers on two more touchdown drives. His performance had many NFL fans clamoring for their teams to draft him this spring:
I really like Kenny Pickett. I will not hate it if he ends up in Orange & Blue in April. #BroncosCountry
ESPN projected Pickett to be taken in the first round of the 2022 Draft. However, he was projected to be the second quarterback off the board behind Matt Corral of Ole Miss.
Regardless, Pickett's performance on Saturday night certainly improved his draft stock, so we'll just have to wait and see where he falls in the latest mock drafts following the College Football Playoff.
It should also be noted that sophomore running back Israel Abanikanda and sophomore wide receiver Jordan Addison had impressive performances against the Demon Deacons.
Sam Hartman's Turnovers Cost Wake Forest
While Hartman tossed four interceptions in Saturday's loss to Pittsburgh, the sophomore quarterback has a bright future ahead. He led the Demon Deacons on three consecutive touchdown drives to keep Wake Forest even with the Panthers for much of the first half.
Hartman's issues didn't begin until just before halftime. After leading his third touchdown drive of the game, the North Carolina native tossed an interception before being forced to punt on two consecutive drives before halftime.
Wake Forest started with the ball after halftime, but Hartman and the Demon Deacons offense weren't able to muster much as they were forced to punt on three straight drives.
Hartman then tossed his second interception of the night on the team's fourth drive of the half. It was costly, as the Panthers converted the turnover into a touchdown to take a 31-21 lead with 47 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Hartman followed that up with his second consecutive interception with 13:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. The turnover was once again turned into a Pitt touchdown.
Hartman's third straight interception -- a pick-six -- gave the Panthers a 45-21 lead with 11:42 remaining in the game. That score put things out of reach for the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest's last 11 drives...
INT Punt Punt Punt Punt Punt Punt INT INT INT Downs
Hartman was eventually replaced by freshman quarterback Mitch Griffis.
Despite Hartman's struggles, he could easily have Wake Forest back in the ACC title game next season. He entered Saturday's game completing 60.3 percent of his passes for 3,711 yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 343 yards and 10 scores.
Seeing as how Hartman is a sophomore and has plenty of college football ahead of him, there's no reason to believe he won't keep improving as the years go on. He'll also have the opportunity to bounce back in the team's bowl game.
All things considered, keep Hartman on your radar for the 2022 season and beyond.
What's Next?
Both teams won't make the College Football Playoff, but what a day it was for the two schools. Wake Forest now awaits its bowl game.
Dave Clawson, Wake Forest Agree to New Contract After Highest Ranking in Team History
Nov 27, 2021
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons looks on against the Clemson Tigers during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Demon Deacons head football coach Dave Clawson has agreed to a long-term contract extension with Wake Forest, the school announced Friday.
The news comes just before Wake Forest's regular-season finale against Boston College on Saturday.
Director of athletics John Currie has high praise and hopes for Clawson:
Dave Clawson is an elite coach, leader and program builder and we are excited to announce this reaffirmation of his long-term commitment to Wake Forest University. Our desire is for him to finish his coaching career as Wake Forest's all-time winningest coach. Coach Clawson and his staff have brought an unprecedented amount of success to Demon Deacon football and he is truly one of the elite coaches in the country. Thanks to his leadership, our football student-athletes have experienced a school-record six-straight bowl games while continuing to raise the standard of excellence in the classroom and community.
Details of the contract were not disclosed.
Wake Forest could clinch a berth in the ACC Championship Game with a win over the Eagles on Saturday. The team is first in the ACC Atlantic with a 9-2 record (6-1 in conference).
Clawson, 54, has been head coach of the Demon Deacons since 2014. He is 49-47 in his eight years at the helm and has taken Wake Forest to five straight bowl games. He also helped Wake Forest reach its highest ranking in the AP Top 25 poll this year, pulling off a No. 9 ranking two weeks ago, per ESPN's David M. Hale.
The Demon Deacons have not had a 10-plus win season since 2006, when they finished 11-3 and lost to Louisville in the Orange Bowl. If they defeat the Eagles, it will mark just their second 10-win season in program history.
Clawson previously coached at Bowling Green State from 2009 to 2013, going 32-32 with three bowl game losses.
No. 9 Wake Forest Upset by UNC, Suffers Blow to CFP Hopes with 1st Loss of Season
Nov 6, 2021
Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry (9) scores a touchdown as North Carolina defensive back Cam'Ron Kelly (9) misses the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Wake Forest's dreams of reaching the College Football Playoff turned into a nightmare after Saturday's 58-55 upset loss to unranked North Carolina.
The Demon Deacons entered this game undefeated (8-0) and ranked ninth in the first playoff rankings released this week. They responded by allowing 546yards, including 330 on the ground, to suffer their first loss of the season.
North Carolina running back Ty Chandler ran for a career-high 213 yards and four touchdowns in the win. His 50-yard score with 1:12 remaining sealed the win for his team.
In addition to severely damaging their playoff hopes, the Demon Deacons have left the door wide open in the ACC Atlantic division. NC State could end the day with a 4-1 conference record if it beats Florida State.
Wake Forest is currently 5-1 in ACC play and will host NC State next week.
This is a particularly crushing loss because Wake looked to be in control midway through the third quarter. A.T. Perry caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Sam Hartman to help put the Demon Deacons up 45-27 with 7:38 remaining in the period.
North Carolina put up 31 points over the final 22:38 in regulation to get its biggest win of the season.
The 8-0 start was the best in Wake Forest history. The eight wins tied the most in a single season under head coach Dave Clawson, who was hired in 2014.
Clawson said coming into this game that he wanted his team to get more credit and attention on the national stage.
"We're a good football team, why are people surprised?" Clawson told ESPN's David M. Hale. "This hasn't come out of nowhere. We've been good. We've been building. It doesn't upset me, but I just think our players deserve more credit."
The offense did put up 615 total yards and dropped 55 points in a game. Hartman wasn't razor-sharp with his accuracy, completing just 25 of 51 attempts for 398 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
But the defense continues to be an issue for the Demon Deacons. They have allowed at least 34 points in four of their past five games.
Wake Forest is still a good team that is capable of doing big things, but its path looks a lot more difficult now.
On the other side, this was a huge win for a North Carolina team that's been a disappointment so far this season. The Tar Heels were ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 after going 8-4 in 2020.
Quarterback Sam Howell, who was a preseason Heisman favorite and possible No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL draft, had a terrible start to 2021. He went 17-of-32 for 208 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in a 17-10 loss to Virginia Tech on Sept. 3.
Howell and the Tar Heels have been inconsistent thus far, resulting in their 4-4 record coming into Saturday. They still have a chance to win the Coastal division. Their 4-3 mark in ACC play ranks third in the division, behind Pittsburgh (4-1) and Virginia (4-2).
North Carolina already has a head-to-head win over Virginia. It will travel to Heinz Field for a showdown with Pitt on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Wake Forest WR Sage Surratt Opts out of CFB Season; Potential 1st-Round Pick
Aug 19, 2020
FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2019, file photo, Wake Forest wide receiver Sage Surratt (14) runs a pass route during an NCAA football game in Houston. The North Carolina-Wake Forest game will put brothers Sage and Chazz Surratt on opposite sides for the first time. Sage is a top receiver for the Demon Deacons, while Chazz has moved from quarterback to linebacker for the Tar Heels -- raising the odds that the two meet in a collision at some point Friday night. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
Wake Forest wide receiver Sage Surratt announced Wednesday that he is opting out of the 2020 college football season to focus on preparing for the 2021 NFL draft:
While the Big Ten and Pac-12 have both postponed their 2020 fall sports seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic, the ACC, SEC and Big 12 are still planning to play college football in the fall.
Despite the fact that Surratt plays for an ACC team in Wake Forest, he will not play in 2020, citing "uncertainties and risks" tied to COVID-19.
Bleacher Report NFL draft expert Matt Miller referred to Surratt as a "first-round talent" after news of Surratt opting out broke and ranked him as the No. 14 overall prospect on his way-too-early big board for the 2021 draft.
The 6'3", 215-pound Surratt took a big leap forward last season. After finishing with 41 receptions for 581 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2018, Surratt improved to 66 grabs for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019.
Surratt would have been a top contender to win the Biletnikoff Award in 2020 as the most outstanding wide receiver in college football, but he has instead set his sights on the NFL.
Based on his way-too-early draft board, Miller views Surratt as the fourth-best draft-eligible wide receiver in 2021 behind LSU's Ja'Marr Chase and Alabama's Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith.
Chase, Waddle and Smith all play in the SEC, meaning they will have a chance to boost their draft stock during the fall season provided they don't opt out.
Surratt is one of the many Power Five players who have opted out of the 2020 college football season, with many of them not wanting to put their draft stock in jeopardy.
Among the other big names toopt outare Michigan offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield, LSU defensive back Kary Vincent Jr., Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks, Maryland quarterback Josh Jackson, Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore and Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
