Wake Forest Football: Key players to watch against Towson

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 30: Jonathan Banks #1 of the Tulane Green Wave is sacked by Zeek Rodney #93 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Willie Yarbary/Zeek Rodney

On the defensive side of the ball, the focus should be on the team’s defensive tackles: Willie Yarbary and Zeek Rodney. These two combined for eight tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks.

The sacks is the one stat that in particular is worth watching. The easiest way to rattle an opposing quarterback is to get pressure on him in the pocket. When that pressure is coming straight ahead and doesn’t allow him to step up into the pocket, it usually spells frustration for him.

The Tigers starting quarterback, Tom Flacco, threw for 245 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the team’s first game of the season against Morgan State.

Next. Takeaways from 23-17 victory over Tulane. dark

It is hard to image he will be able to reach those numbers if this defense plays the way it can. Yarbary and Rodney can certainly set that tone with controlling the middle of the line and putting pressure on Flacco.

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